February 24-March 2, 2005

artpicks

River Dance

by Deni Kasrel

dance

Ever notice how dancer's styles tend to reflect their environs? Dancers from the New York downtown scene often have a cool and intense stage presence. Similarly, River North Chicago Dance Co.'s movement expresses characteristics of its hometown.

"They maintain a very Americana Midwest kind of aesthetic," says Randy Swartz, director of Dance Celebration, which brings the troupe to the Annenberg Center next week. "By American aesthetic I mean a kind of innocent sexiness," he explains. "It's sort of girl next door meets boy next door. They're usually not big on political or controversial issues, it's more personal relationships."

They're most apt to offer humor and drama via a blend of jazz, ballroom, ballet, Broadway and contemporary genres. As Swartz explains, "They dip into mainstream idioms and create significant works of movement that have a natural appeal to a larger group of people but at the same time have a great deal of substance." It's theatrical and serious and pop all at once, and like the Windy City itself, River North whips up a storm.

Love reigns supreme in "5 Easy Lessons," done to the sassy sounds of jazz diva Sarah Vaughan, and "The Mourning," featuring a fervidly amorous couple. The troupe runs through a gaggle of permutations in "Balada par un Loca," featuring music by nuevo tango master Astor Piazzola, while a trio of female spirits are conjured up in "Grace," set to Ani DiFranco's interpretation of "Amazing Grace." All are premieres, so this is fresh stuff indeed.

River North Chicago Dance Company, Thu., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 25, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 26, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., $32-$44, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.