Take your date, be it blind or a spouse, to see River North Chicago Dance Company’s annual Valentine’s Engagement this weekend. River North is one of the organizations that makes Chicago an exciting place to see contemporary dance, with work both accessible and intelligent. This year the program features five works, three of them world premieres. Most notably, River North company member Monique Haley will bring her “Uhuru,” set to the music of Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble. “It’s the kind of music that inspires joy, freedom and celebration in that warm place inside your soul,” says Haley. Rounding out the evening will be the return of Robert Battle’s “Train” and a piece called “Underground Movements,” featuring choreography by artistic director Frank Chaves, an original score by Philadelphia-based composer Evan Solot, and live vocals by members of the Chicago Children’s Choir. River North invites you to get in the act too. Visit rivernorthchicago.com to participate in a contest they call “Show Us Your Moves.” Download the music, record your own dance, and upload. One winner will have their video featured in a special place during the show. (William Scott)
At the Harris Theater for Music & Dance, 205 East Randolph, (312)334-7777. February 13 & 14.
Right Is Right: A Review of "Big River" at Mercury Theater "Big River" is a musical based on Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, with songs by Roger Miller. Mercury Theater’s production is crisply moving, superbly sung and highly entertaining.
