CHRP founder Lane Alexander/Photo: Noah Stern Weber
RECOMMENDED
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s annual summer summit of tap and percussive dance classes, workshops and performances culminates this weekend when the masters strut their stuff in JUBA!, a boisterous, joyful, two-night showcase of dancers from here and abroad. Each year JUBA! wraps up CHRP’s month-long Rhythm World festival, and the audience is packed with amped-up young dancers cheering their teachers on. The Friday night show features hometown hoofers including Martin “Tre” Dumas of Chicago tap performance company Jus’LisTeN and Derick K. Grant of “Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk,”and Jumaane Taylor, dancer percussionist in the jazz/funk/soul band Sidewalk Chalk. Friday night choreography is set to the music of jazz composer Billy Strayhorn, best known for “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Lush Life.” Saturday night focuses on American dancers and companies with performances from Nico Rubio, Jumaane Taylor, dancer percussionist in the jazz/funk/soul band Sidewalk Chalk, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s resident company BAM!, the technically stunning Jay Fagan, and the disarming Dianne “Lady Di” Walker. There will also be guest artists from Switzerland, Brazil and Japan. It’s impossible not to hoot, holler, bob your head and bounce in your seat at JUBA! The positivity and playfulness of the show is the very spirit of summer.
At the Edlis Neeson Theater at the MCA, 220 East Chicago, (312)397-4010. Friday and Saturday, July 31 and August 1 at 7:30pm. $25-$35.
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