By Judy Carmack Bross
Dance for Life Co-Chairs Maray Gutierrez (L) and Victor Alexander (R) with HMS Media Executive Producer Scott Silberstein (second from L) and Jackie Brenner. Photo by Purple Photo Group.
From deep in the fall gala season we celebrate Chicago philanthropy flourishing almost every night. We can’t help but look back at surely one of late summer’s most impressive and jubilant events and we wanted to share the 33rd annual Dance for Life attended by 1,600 awed guests at the Auditorium Theatre performance and more than 600 guests including over 100 participating dancers and artists at the after party at Venue SIX10.
Ken Sliwa and Veronica Guadalupe, former Chicago Dance Health Fund board member and owner of True Pilates Chicago.
Giordano Dance Chicago’s Eduardo Zambrana and Erina Ueda.
Dan Brown of CNN and Paola Lucarni of Hermes.
From a combination of ticket sales, contributions, and sponsorships, Dance for Life raised nearly $350,000 by the night of the event—with donations continuing to come in after the event—to support the Chicago Heath Dance Fund, which provides Chicago dance industry professionals with financial support for preventative health care and critical medical needs.
Dance for Life Co-Chairs Ekua and Jamin McGinnis. Photo by Purple Photo Group.
The event showcases the city’s variety of dance traditions and styles by bringing together professional dance companies and dancers from throughout Chicago, who unite to support their peers by generously donating their time, energy, and artistry. Throughout its history, Dance for Life has presented nearly 50 Chicago-based professional dance companies representing a variety of genres, sizes, and histories and numerous choreographers, artists, and designers. AIDS Foundation Chicago is an additional beneficiary of Dance for Life.
The Joffrey Ballet performance. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Visceral Dance Chicago performance. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Finale. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Returning companies were Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Visceral Dance Chicago. Making their Dance for Life debuts were Ballet 5:8, Praize Productions, and Winifred Haun & Dancers.
Choreographer Jonathan Alsberry (third from R), composer Ira Antelis (second from R) and the cast of the Dance for Life world premiere finale Lift. Photo by Michelle Reid.
Jonathan Alsberry choreographed “Lift”, the world premiere finale featuring nearly 50 company dancers and freelance artists from all around Chicago, set to original music by Ira Antelis.
In a short interlude, stars from the Broadway in Chicago cast of SAVOR After Hours performed a number from their show and drew the winning raffle tickets on stage.
CDHF External Affairs Coordinator Ariel Raskin, CDHF Operations Coordinator Lindsey Scouten, CDHF Executive Director Sasha Dzubay and CDHF Senior Project Manager Marci Chin.
Taras Skavinskyy, Chicago Dance Health Fund board member Cara Marie Gray, Dance for Life finale choreographer Jonathan Alsberry, and Dance for Life Co-Chairs Maray Gutierrez and Victor Alexander.
Giordano Dance Chicago’s Skylar Newcom, Amanda Hickey-Newcom, and Associate Artistic Director Cesar Salinas.
The After Party at Venue SIX10 included the sponsorship of lead caterer J&L Catering and the creative vision of Timot McGonagle from TM Creative Consultants.
Celebrating on the dance floor at Venue SIX10. Photo by Purple Photo Group.
Dance for Life Lead Sponsors Ross Slotten M.D. (L) and Ted Grady. Photo by Purple Photo Group.
Chicago Dance Health Fund board members (L–R) Lynne Belsky, Brian Smuts, and President Sara Schumann. Photo by Purple Photo Group.
The Chicago Dance Health Fund’s mission is to foster the health and wellness of Chicago’s professional dance community by providing financial support for preventive health care and critical medical needs. Anyone working in or retired from a professional capacity within Chicago’s dance community—dancers, technical staff, administrators, choreographers, instructors, accompanists, and more—is eligible to apply.
Thank you to Dance For Life for its annual celebration which captures the vibrancy we celebrate in Chicago.
Photos by The Purple Group of the After Party and of Dance Performances by Todd Rosenberg.
For more information on the Chicago Dance Health Fund visit: cdhf.org.
