Happy twentieth anniversary, Chicago Human Rhythm Project. This venerable institution is the world’s only year-round presenter of American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts. That’s pretty fancy. CHRP kicks off this important year with the Chicago debut of the Washington D.C.-based Step Afrika!, an electrifying group dedicated to stepping, a tradition of using the body to create rhythmic sounds that grew out of African-American sororities and fraternities. Combining contemporary step with hip-hop, ancient Zulu dance, and South African gumboot dancing to name a few, Step Afrika! elevates this often underappreciated art form to work worthy of a great stage like Harris Theater. This presentation is part of CHRP’s Global Rhythms, an annual performance that aims to build community through presenting international artists and sharing the revenue with worthy local charities. So not only can you get tickets to an amazing show, you can get them at a discount and give back to a local charity all at the same time. Seems too good to be true, I know, but is is and it is stepping your way this weekend. (William Scott)
November 19-21 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, (312)334-7777. $15-$55.
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