Celebrating Black Dance in Chicago Through the Legacy Project

4 weeks ago 0

Ten dance companies will come together for a remarkable one-night performance at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. This event, set for the end of the month, features talented artists from the latest cohort of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP). Notable local Black dance organizations will participate, including the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, and several others. They will bring various dance styles such as African, traditional, contemporary modern, ballet, jazz, and tap to life.

The theme for the performance, “Dancing the Archive: Embodied Histories, Collective Power,” aims to highlight the importance of storytelling in dance. Mashaune Hardy, executive director of CBDLP, emphasized the significance of living and breathing stories. She described the archive as more than static paper; it is dynamic and vibrant, embodied by the performers.

This show honors change agents in the city whose contributions have shaped and inspired the current dance ecosystem. The production is organized into chapters, with each company presenting a work focused on a legacy bearer. The chosen honorees and categories include prominent figures such as Carol Adams for Record Keeper and Chance the Rapper for Stewardship.

Dancers from the Joel Hall Dancers and Center, including Nia Towe and others, have been rehearsing for this event. According to Hardy, the theme reflects the current environment, where erasure of Blackness is a concern across the nation. The performance asserts the enduring presence and contribution of Black dance to Chicago’s cultural landscape.

William Gill, artistic director of Joel Hall Dancers & Center, noted the organization’s long-standing involvement with the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project. He described the annual gathering as a family reunion, fostering community among the different dance companies in the city.

Established in 2019, CBDLP emerged due to underfunding issues faced by Black dance companies. Tracie Hall, then-director of the Joyce Foundation’s Culture Program, envisioned CBDLP to provide essential resources. Since then, the project has held several impactful concerts, including “Legacy” in 2019 and “Divination: The Dancing Souls of Black Folk” in 2024.

CBDLP’s artistic director Kevin Iega Jeff emphasized the project’s goal of upholding Chicago’s Black dance traditions. The project includes professional, pre-professional, and youth-based dance companies, creating a supportive ecosystem for the broader dance community.

Bolstered sustainability and visibility of dance companies have been achieved through advocacy and presentations. Hardy highlighted that practical support has been provided, such as funding for hiring choreographers and infrastructure improvements. This support has transformed company capabilities and increased their engagement in the dance scene.

CBDLP connects veteran artists with up-and-coming dancers, facilitating the sharing of wisdom. Notable figures like Tony Award-nominated director Camille A. Brown and National Medal of Arts recipient Joan Myers Brown have contributed valuable insights.

Hardy emphasized the vital role of elder civic and cultural leaders, who provide historical context and inspiration for using creativity to foster change. There is a commitment to continue their work, ensuring visibility and equity for Black dance companies in the current political climate.

Hardy concluded by reflecting on dance as a means of human development, wellness, and community engagement. According to her, dance provides healing, character building, job opportunities, and broadens perspectives.