Your Dose of Dance: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

By Amy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 9, 2008 10:15PM

With their Winter Series program wrapping up last weekend at Harris Theater, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago solidly defended their reputation as an internationally renowned contemporary dance company.

We are appreciative of the never-ending quest of the dancers in this city to band together, revolutionize the art of movement and challenge the institution of dance. But while the smaller local players battle it out for recognition and respect – something that Harris Theater is happy to help with – Hubbard Street has the luxury of an established 30-year history here in town, which doesn’t necessarily mean they can just coast on a good name. Rather, Hubbard Street must uphold the standards it has set for itself; consistently delivering the “exuberant, athletic and innovative repertoire” that allows the company to tour internationally throughout the year.

Take last weekend, for example. What was presented for their Winter Series is the company’s dependable formula which included four revered and respected choreographers and unarguably, some of the best contemporary dancers in the city. The entire program was an exercise in precision – from the carefully selected pieces to the complicated and intricate movement, executed with a casual fluidity. So can Hubbard Street own it? Of course they can.

Next up locally for Hubbard Street is the company’s Spring Series in April, again at the Harris Theater, and the following week, their sixth annual performance collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Strokes through the Tail by Marguerite Donlon image from HSDC website