Bold Women at the Hubbard

 

BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS

 

 

From the 50^th floor lobby of Baker & McKenzie—surely one of the best Chicago views in town—guests at the Bold Moves for Bold Women reception had a bird’s eye view of the Harris Theater, the venue for a performance by the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago that followed the fun.

 

Silent auction bidding for items like dinner with company dancers or watching performances from the wings, dining on sushi, and the elation of catching up with friends kept guests busy until it was time to head to the Harris to view vibrant works by four international choreographers.

Hubbard Artistic Director, Glenn Edgerton, explains:

“Both Bold Moves for Bold Women and Hubbard Street have a common focus on innovation. Bold women are innovators and entrepreneurs of the city, as are our programs, choreographers, and company dancers. Our way of approaching our work and our mindsets are paralleled.

“Hubbard Street is a leader in bringing some of the best choreographers from around the globe to Chicago. My goal is for our audiences to follow the trajectory of a choreographer and become well-versed in the nuances of that choreographer and in contemporary dance. We are cultural ambassadors everywhere we perform, representing the thriving city of Chicago we call home.”

 

Event Chair Karen Lennon recalls how it all began:

“In 2004, I was asked to help create Bold Moves for Bold Women by the then Artistic Director, Jim Vincent. He was inspired by the boldness of entrepreneurial and professional women and felt it mirrored the bold moves of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.”

“Under his leadership and continuing with Glenn Edgerton, the current and amazing artistic director, our bold women continue to lend their support and energy to what is long recognized as one of the top contemporary dance companies in the world.”

 

Begun by the legendary Lou Conti, Hubbard Street often used the stage of the Latin School and other hospitable venues for its early performances. Now at the Harris Theater, it will present a special gala performance of Hubbard Street at 40 to highlight its Spotlight Ball June 7.

Sara Albrecht serves as Chairman of the Board and former dancer and über-dance supporter Mayor Rahm Emanuel will serve as Honorary Gala Chair. Exelon will be the Corporate Honoree.

Keven Wilder, an enthusiastic Bold Moves for Bold Women supporter, said recently:

“The event is one of my favorite Hubbard Street evenings. It’s such a treat to be able to celebrate the amazing talents of this world-class company with other fans and to introduce friends who might not be familiar with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to the magic of contemporary dance at the Harris Theater.

“Serial entrepreneur Karen Lennon, former chair of the Hubbard Street board and founder and president of Wessex 504 Corporation, came up with the brilliant idea over a decade ago, and the Bold Moves for Bold Women reception has grown in popularity and attendance every year thereafter.”

 

Aurora Abella Austriaco and Pamela Cullerton served as honorary chairs and committee members included Betsy Morgan, who welcomed guests on behalf of Baker & McKenzie; Meg Callahan; Brandon Frein; Stephanie Hickman; Dietrich Klevorn; Jacqueline Kott-Wolle; Monica Leccese; Marie Lona; Diane Merna; Maureen Mosh; Sheila Owens; Alyssa Rapp; Rich Rodes; Kate Schostok; Mary Kay Shaw; John Vazquez; and Keven Wilder.

 

Edgerton gives us a hint of what’s to come as we move further into spring and into the future:

“We will be announcing the programming for our 40th anniversary season in early April. Our upcoming Summer Series provides a retrospective look at audience favorites from each decade of Hubbard Street’s history while next season’s programming will be looking ahead to what’s progressing the company forward for the future.”

Here’s to many more years of Hubbard Street’s bold moves onstage and off!

 

Photo credit: Robert F. Carl