I usually don’t do prepared press releases for my blog posts but am so excited to share Dance for Life 2020: United as One with you I am bending my own rule. I have been a lifelong lover and supporter of dance, this love affair began sitting on my Daddy’s lap and being mesmerized by The Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. I have supported the incredible annual Dance for Life performances since they began and have seen the loyal audiences grow each year. Since we are in an unprecedented time, this year, it’s 29th anniversary, it will be a series of digital events with a spectacular World Premiere digital finale. Each day will highlight encore performances featuring the best of Chicago current and past dance companies. What a treat to be able to recapture the 29 years of DFL and see all the talent, drama and beauty of dance in Chicago. This amazing community of dancers are sharing past performances with us from August 10th through 14th and ending with a unique World Premiere on Saturday, August 15th which would have been this years live Dance for Life. Chicago loves its dance and dancers, I encourage you to support them by donating (information at the bottom of this post). Sit back with your beverage of choice and a selection of appropriate snacks and enjoy six days of once in a lifetime performances, we all are in for very special treats! I can hear the applause from here!

Here is the press release giving you ALL the details…..

Hosts for the August 15th finale World Premiere, Cortney Hall and Matthew Rodrigues, co-hosts of NBC Chicago’s program Chicago Today.

Chicago Dancers United (CDU) has finalized details for the finale of Dance for Life 2020: United as One, a digital event taking place August 10–15 through CDU’s website, chicagodancersunited.org. Dance for Life 2020: United as One is presented in partnership with Optum.

The culminating virtual event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15—the original date for the 29th anniversary of Dance for Life scheduled at the Auditorium Theatre—features a World Premiere choreographed by Hanna Brictson in response to COVID-19, performed by dancers from throughout the Chicago area. Serving as hosts for the evening are Cortney Hall and Matthew Rodrigues, co-hosts of NBC Chicago’s program Chicago Today. The finale event also features a Dance for Life highlights reel, remarks by a representative from Optum, details about resources available from The Dancers’ Fund, information about the 30th anniversary of Dance for Life in 2021, and more. Donors of $20 or more receive a link to “attend” this finale celebrationsEach day from August 10 through 14, CDU will highlight several videos of DFL performances from the past 29 years. Although these videos will be available at no charge, dance supporters and enthusiasts who donate $20 or more will receive a daily email with links to the videos, along with background on the works themselves. Videos will remain available on the CDU website and social media pages for a limited time. The lineup is as follows:

Partner Companies
Giordano Dance Chicago: Tossed Around choreographed by Ray Mercer, DFL 2018
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: The 40s choreographed by Lou Conte, DFL 2018
The Joffrey Ballet: Round of Angels choreographed by Gerald Arpino, DFL 2016Current and past companies
Hanna Brictson and Dancers: My Darling choreographed by Hanna Brictson, DFL 2018
Chicago Dance Crash: Freshly Served choreographed by Jessica Deahr, DFL 2018
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater: Bolero choreographed by Dame Libby Komaiko, DFL 2010
Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre: Oh, Mary Don’t You Weep choreographed by Joseph Holmes, DFL 1992
Luna Negra Dance Theater: Bate (excerpt) choreographed by Fernando Melo, DFL 2012
Muntu Dance Theatre: Djon Don Wolosodon choreographed by Marie Basse-Wiles, DFL 1995
River North Dance Chicago: Eva (excerpts) choreographed by Frank Chaves, DFL 2014
Thodos Dance Chicago: Getting There choreographed by Melissa Thodos, DFL 2013
Trinity Irish Dance Company: Curran Event choreographed by Sean Curran, DFL 2001
Visceral Dance Chicago: Impetere choreographed by Nick Pupillo, DFL 2014Past DFL finales
I’ve Got A Life choreographed by Harrison McEldowney and Jeremy Plummer, DFL 2010
Stand by Me choreographed by Randy Duncan, DFL 2015

Dance for Life brings Chicago’s dance community together thanks to dancers who generously donate their time, energy, and artistry to support The Dancers’ Fund, which provides financial assistance to dance company professionals diagnosed with a critical health need. The Fund has been temporarily expanded to help support dance community members who need financial assistance with routine medical expenses due to the pandemic. Dance for Life also supports two partner agencies: AIDS Foundation Chicago, which mobilizes diverse communities across Illinois living with HIV, and the American Cancer Society, which is leading the fight for a world without cancer.Dance for Life 2020: United as One takes place August 10–15. Donations of $20 or more provide exclusive access
to the finale event on August 15.
All programming is subject to change.
All events are available atchicagodancersunited.org.###
Photos top to bottom:
Cortney Hall and Matthew Rodrigues of Chicago Today, courtesy of NBC Chicago.
Hanna Brictson and Dancers: My Darling by Todd Rosenberg.
The Joffrey Ballet: Round of Angels by Herb Migdoll.
Trinity Irish Dance Company: Curran Event by C. Hoy Photography.
Luna Negra Dance Theater: Bate by Cheryl Mann.

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