Chicago Dance Crash to give lecture/demo at COD

Chicago Dance Crash, one of Chicago's most popular contemporary dance companies, is coming to Glen Ellyn to give a free public lecture and performance demonstration.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the McAninch Arts Center on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

The 60-minute dance event, designed to entertain and provide insight into dance and the creative process, will be presented in the MAC's intimate Playhouse Theatre and features 40 minutes of dance performance, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. For information, visit atthemac.org.

"COD's lecture/performance demonstrations are a great partnership for all involved," said Jon Sloven, adjunct dance faculty at College of DuPage. "Not only do students and the COD community get to experience dance from premier companies in an up-close-and-personal setting, but top companies have the opportunity to expand their audience base while showcasing some of their newest creations. Chicago Dance Crash blurs the lines between dance and theater with great success so it will be an exciting learning experience to hear about their different approaches."

Chicago Dance Crash brings together ballet, break dance, acrobatics and contemporary dance. Committed to exploring and exploiting the potential of athleticism through live performance, it is known for innovative and entertaining choreography. Since its founding in 2002, Chicago Dance Crash has established a reputation for engaging audiences and broadening the exposure of contemporary dance.

Their inaugural production of "The Mercutio Story" premiered at the Mary Arrchie Theatre in Chicago before hitting the road for a two-week run at The Space in downtown Manhattan and a finale performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier. Named the Readers Choice "Best Dance Company" in 2009 and hailed as one of the best companies to debut in the last two decades by NewCity, Chicago Dance Crash has risen to be a formidable staple in Chicago's dance scene. The self-described fusion company is best known for its full evening dance-theater works "Tribulation and the Domination Squad" (2005), "Ghost Play" (2006), "Gotham City" (2012), "The Cotton Mouth Club" (2013), "Tron" (2014) - and for their "Keeper of the Floor" dance battles.

The Chicago Dance Crash lecture/performance demonstration is one of two dance lecture/performance demonstration presented this academic year, and precedes College of DuPage's Fall Dance Fusion Concert showcasing dance works by COD students and dance faculty. The Fall Dance Fusion Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the McAninch Arts Center's Belushi Performance Hall.