Chicago Human Rhythm Project
JUBA! Masters of Tap
Images
Derick Grant
Photo: Divine Rhythm ProductionsPresented by Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) in association with MCA Stage
Extraordinary foot drummers and percussive arts masters from both side of the Atlantic share the Edlis Neeson Theater stage for JUBA! The acclaimed Greg Spero Trio collaborates with different headliners each night of the rousing JUBA! performances at the MCA. Lineups range from full-length solos, to dazzling duos and trios, to full throttle ensemble work. These three distinct programs of dance at MCA Stage are a part of Chicago's prized citywide festival Rhythm World.
Rhythm World runs Jul 7–Aug 3 and includes scores of master classes, the 14th Annual Youth Tap Ensemble Conference, and the Institute for the Rhythmic Arts, CHRP's first three-week intensive workshop for emerging professionals taught by world masters such as Nicholas Young (STOMP) and CHRP Founder and Director Lane Alexander. For more information about the festival, visit chicagotap.org.
- July 30: All the World’s a Drum
European and South American artists bring tap back to America, infused with their own cultural and rhythmic perspectives. This international opening night features Guillem Alonso from Barcelona, Daniel Borak from Zurich, Victor Cuno from Paris, Charles Renato from Brazil, and many more.
- July 31: . . . a different drummer . . .
Austin's Jason Janas—representing the pinnacle of American tap's cutting edge—performs his one-man one-act, Pieces of a Man. Boston native Derick K. Grant (of Broadway's Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk) and CHRP's resident ensemble BAM! share the evening, along with special guests.
- August 2: “1, 2, 3, 25″
The final night of JUBA! caps the 24th annual Rhythm World festival and kicks off the 25th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of Cartier Williams in his new one-act work Rhythm Refix alongside the Midwest's most accomplished foot drummers, including Jay Fagan, Sarah Savelli, Jumaane Taylor, and more.
Programming subject to change
Juaane Taylor
Photo: Kristie Kahns
Daniel Borak
Photo: Andreas GemperleAbout the Company
CHRP was the first year-round presenter of concert tap and contemporary percussive dance, and their summer festival,Rhythm World, is now the oldest and most comprehensive annual tap festival in the world.
In 2012, CHRP established the American Rhythm Center, a state-of-the-art facility in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building. The center provides shared education, performance, community, rehearsal, and administrative facility space for several leading Chicago arts organizations.
CHRP received an Emmy nomination for its coproduction with Chicago's PBS affiliate, WTTW, for JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance, a documentary about tap dance at the end of the 20th century. National publications such as Dance Magazine and the New York Times have cited CHRP for leadership and innovation in the field.
Funding
Generous support for dance works at MCA Stage is provided by David Herro and Jay Franke.