You have but one night to see the virtuosic Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in their first Chicago appearance since they breezed through for an evening in 2011. Aspen Santa Fe specializes in contemporary work commissioned from some of the most talented choreographers from around the globe. Saturday’s show includes a piece commissioned from Hubbard Street’s own fast-rising star Alejandro Cerrudo (not yet performed here) and two choreographers whose imaginative work will be fairly new to Chicago audiences: Cayetano Soto, from Spain, and Jorma Elo of Finland. Elo’s “Over Glow” is set against a brilliant, shifting palette of light. Cascades of movements and witty gestures indicate changes and phrases in familiar works by Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Soto’s muscuar “Uneven” premiered at the Chicago Dancing Fest two years ago. This time, Santa Fe brings his new work for nine dancers, “Beautiful Mistake.” (Sharon Hoyer)
At the Harris Theater, 205 East Randolph, (312)334-7777. Saturday, October 5 at 7:30pm. $25-$75.
Complementary Opposites: A Preview of "Serenade" and "Of Mice and Men" by the Joffrey Ballet “Both [ballets] are trying to deal with a particular time: One by healing with the beauty of dance, the other by trying to create empathy for beaten-down humanity. Right now, we’re facing some of the same issues, such as huge migrations from the workplace. Steinbeck shone a light on his time, and I hope we’re able to do the same.”
