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Dance for Life 2021: Celebrating 30 Years

August 3, 2021 by 4dancers

Stephanie Martinez’s kiss., with dancers Chris Bloom and Gabrielle Sprauve,
photo by PC Michelle Reid Photography

August is a special time in the Chicago dance community–because that is when Dance for Life takes place. This annual event is celebrating its 30th year in 2021, and now more than ever we’ll gather in true appreciation for the sense of community we have grown here over the three decades this performance has been running.

For those who don’t know what Dance for Life is, it’s a performance/benefit that takes place each year. Funds raised will benefit Chicago Dancers United, an organization that administers The Dancers’ Fund; premium bowl seating is available with a $300 minimum donation. The fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals that have health and wellness needs. This year free seating will also be available in both the bowl and the lawn area.

Each year various dance artists/companies/groups are selected to perform at this event. Performers this year include: DanceWorks Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Movement Revolution Dance Crew, South Chicago Dance Theatre, Trinity Irish Dance Company, Visceral Dance Chicago, and a finale choreographed by Randy Duncan. The program also includes a film by Winifred Haun & Dancers.

Stephanie Martinez’s PARA.MAR has also been chosen to perform this year. We caught up with Stephanie to learn more about her choreography for the evening’s show, as well as her long-standing involvement with Chicago’s dance community.


Can you briefly share the basic history of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre?

While my vision for creating a platform that empowers and elevates diverse artistic voices in contemporary ballet had been growing in me since the moment I first stepped into a studio, the timing of PARA.MAR‘s inception was activated by the pandemic. I saw incredible artists without work, displaced, and some even leaving the field. I felt compelled to create art and employment at a time of such scarcity and deep insecurity. 

Would you also talk about how you became involved with this year’s Dance for Life program, and your ties to the Chicago dance community?

From training with Giordano and Lou Conte to becoming a founding member of River North, I’ve spent my life in this community. I’m pretty sure I was in the first Dance for Life! I’m humbled and honored that PARA.MAR was accepted into this year’s line-up alongside some of Chicago’s best. It’s really motivating to have such encouragement and to feel like we belong here. There truly couldn’t be a better way for P/M to round out our first year in existence than performing in such an iconic evening of Chicago dance. 

Stephanie Martinez, photo by Cheryl Mann

Your piece, kiss., explores intimacy. How would you describe it to someone who hasn’t seen it?

The piece was created while we were still coming to grips with quarantine, and was heavily influenced by it. There was more time in isolation and time for reflection that anyone could have been prepared for. 

The piece is an exploration of the human need for connection as we were grappling with what it meant and felt like to be without it.

You’ll see the characters go through the universal feelings of loneliness, loss, and love. Hopefully, watching the piece makes you realize that in any experience, you aren’t really alone. 

You chose the music of Johann Sebastian Bach to choreograph this to – what drew you to it?

Bach, Mozart, and Schubert were perfect companions to the new, more abstract compositions that are featured in the work – three of which were created by the excellent Chicago-based/NY-born composer Darryl J. Hoffman and one by our multifaceted rehearsal director and creative force, Noelle Kayser. Throughout the creation process, we explored the difference between our private and public self. Bach, Mozart, and Schubert are so delicious…luxurious and grand. They were the perfect soundtrack for who we outwardly project ourselves to be and provide an interesting contrast to the more isolated and intimate realities we may feel inside.

Can you shed a little light on your choreographic process for this?

It remains astounding to me that the entire first half of the process took place over Zoom. The way it went is that the dancers were taught various phrases that I created. Then the dancers used the phrases and a series of physical and emotional prompts to manipulate the material. When we were finally able to be in the studio together, I placed and expanded upon the puzzle pieces that were created over Zoom to support the narrative of the piece.

Dance for Life has always been a time of coming together for the Chicago dance community. What does it mean to you personally?

Dance for Life is always an evening of celebration and community. The support you feel in the wings extends well beyond the once a year performance. Over the years, I’ve seen Chicago Dancers United assist my friends and colleagues in times of crisis and feel lucky and grateful to have resources like these available to the dance community in our city.


Dance for Life takes place Thursday, August 26th at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago. The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the performance runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Premium seating benefiting Chicago Dancers United is available here for a donation of $300 or more. Please note that this year there will also be free seating available in both the bowl and the lawn area.

Filed Under: 4dancers Tagged With: Chicago Dancers United, dance for life, dance for life 2021, dance for life chicago, Dance Works Chicago, giordono dance chicago, hubbard street dance chicago, Movement Revloultion Dance Crew, PARA.MAR, randy duncan, South Chicago Dance Theatre, Stephanie Martinez, the joffrey ballet, Trinity Irish Dance Company, Visceral Dance Chicago, Winifred Haun & Dancers

Dance For Life Chicago 2017

August 16, 2017 by 4dancers

On August 19th, Dance for Life Chicago will once again take place at the Auditorium Theatre, and anyone who has attended in the past knows that this performance isn’t one to be missed. The atmosphere is always highly charged, as an enthusiastic audience comes together to support the dance community in our city. It’s a night like none other in terms of the variety of Chicago dance talent gathered together on stage.

Each year the performance is preceded by a Gala Celebration at Hilton Chicago, located nearby at 720 South Michigan Avenue. The show itself begins at 7:30, featuring performances from Giordano Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, as well as Visceral Dance Chicago and Jessica Miller Tomlinson Choreography. Add to that a collaboration between Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, and Trinity Irish Dance, and you have a full evening of dance – topped off by a finale choreographed by Randy Duncan. Carisa Barreca and Kevin Sciretta of The Second City will be the emcees for the night, adding a lighthearted touch to the festivities.

As if such a gathering of Chicago dance companies isn’t enough in and of itself, the proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago 2017’s benefit performance will be contributed to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Chicago Dancers United’s Dancers’ Fund, which provides financial support to dance professionals experiencing critical health and life issues. This yearly event has raised more than 5.5 million dollars since it began in 1992.

Visit Chicago Dancers United to learn more about the performance, the Dancers’ Fund, or to get tickets for this special event.


4dancers is a media sponsor for this event. We have supported Dance for Life for many years, and are proud to stand behind this cause and do our part to give back to the Chicago dance community.

Filed Under: 4dancers Tagged With: aids foundation of chicago, chicago dance, Chicago Dancers United, chicago human rhythm dance project, dance for life, Dane for Life Chicago, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, hubbard street dance chicago, Jessica Miller Tomlinson Choreography, joffrey ballet, randy duncan, Trinity Irish Dance, Visceral Dance Chicago

Dance For Life Chicago 2012

August 13, 2012 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

On August 18th the Chicago dance community will come together at the Auditorium Theatre to support one another and raise money for HIV/AIDS AIDS care, education, and prevention–and for The Dancers’ Fund.

Dance For Life Chicago is a dance performance that first came to the stage at Chicago’s Organic Theater. Since its founding in 1992 it has sold out every single year. To date, close to $4 million dollars has been raised for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The organization has partnered with some of Chicago’s best companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, River North Dance Chicago and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Those who attend the performance are in for a lovely evening of dance at one of the best venues in the city. In addition, this year’s show will feature two World Premiere performances choreographed by Chicago’s own Randy Duncan and Harrison McEldowney.

Before the curtain rises, those who purchase tickets for the Gala Reception will get to enjoy conversation and complimentary Absolut martinis in the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom. You can purchase tickets for the Gala and/or the August 18th performance here.

Those hoping to learn more about this  event can watch Dance for Life: The Documentary airing Tuesday, August, 14th at 10 p.m. on Chicago’s public television station, WTTW 11.

4dancers is proud to be a sponsor for this year’s Dance For Life Chicago event–hope to see you there!

Here is a video from last year’s show–just a little visual for you:

Filed Under: 4dancers Tagged With: auditorium theatre, dance for life, dance for life chicago, dance for life chicago 2012, dance for life: the documentary, giordano jazz dance chicago, harrison mceldowney, hilton chicago grand ballroom, hubbard street dance chicago, randy duncan, river north dance chicago, the dancers fund, the joffrey ballet

10 Questions With…Winifred Haun

March 2, 2011 by 4dancers

Today we have Winifred Haun with us for our feature…   

Winifred Haun

1. How did you become involved in dance? 

When I was 5 years old, I attended a little private school on Chicago’s north side. As an alternative to gym, they offered ballet classes on Fridays to the girls. I loved it, and sort of knew then that I would be a dancer for the rest of my life. When I was 10 years old, I started taking classes at the Ellis-DuBoulay School of Ballet. I think I received the best possible training in the city. Mr. and Mrs. ‘E’ trained not only our bodies but our minds. A lot of really successful Chicago dancers trained with them (Lou Conte is probably their most famous student). I also credit Harriet Ross for teaching me everything I know about modern technique. She also taught me how to perform and she and Randy Duncan encouraged me to choreograph.

2. What are you currently doing in the field? 

I have my own dance company, Winifred Haun & Dancers. I started it in 1991 because I wanted to put together a group of artists who could help me create my work. My latest work, “Bento,” premieres March 17 & 18 at Hamlin Park Theater. I also teach modern dance at Hubbard St. Dance Center, and at Legere Dance Center in River Forest. 

3. Can you share a special moment from your career? 

One my favorite moments was when, as a member of the Joseph Holmes Dance Theater I first performed “Love Not Me,” choreographed by Randy Duncan, at the New Regal Theater in 1989. I had actually performed it a few times on tour, so it was really rehearsed. Despite all the preparation (I had great coaching from Harriet Ross), I felt terrible right after my performance, but I had a really quick costume change, so I didn’t have time to cry. After the show was over, the response and quick congratulations from Randy, Harriet, and my fellow dancers was so wonderful and so positive, that I still didn’t have time to cry or really be upset! 

4. What advice would you offer other dancers? 

Don’t worry about what others are doing or who’s getting what parts or into what company. Concentrate on yourself and make yourself into the best possible dancer you can. Take class as often as possible, listen to your teachers. Audition and then perform work for anybody who wants you. You never what will lead to what. 

“Bento” by Winifred Haun

5. What have you had to struggle against in dance? 

As a dancer, I always felt that being tall (I’m 5’ 9”) was a challenge. Most of the lead roles go to women who are shorter (they’re easier to partner). As a choreographer, just being a woman in a field where the top jobs are all held by men is a challenge. Women just don’t get the recognition for their work that men do. (I think women in all careers probably struggle with this…) Which is kind of ironic, given that the field is about 80% women.    

6. Do you have a favorite dancer or choreographer? If so, what is it about them that makes them stand out? 

One of my all time favorite dancers is Claire Bataille. I loved her stage presence and her control of her technique. Watching her in class, in rehearsal, and on stage was inspiring. My favorite choreographers are: Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Ohad Naharin, Eiko & Komo, William Forsythe, Randy Duncan, and Mark Morris. I love the risks that these artists take and how alive and individual they are. In my latest work, Bento, I honor some of these choreographers by purposely imitating their choreography. (Some have even “donated” 32 counts.) 

As for young, local choreographers, my favorites are Jackie Stewart and Jessica Miller Tomlinson. I’m sharing a concert with them in March 2012 at the Ruth Page Center. (We just received a MetLife New Stages for Dance grant for this project!) I saw a concert that Jackie and Jessica shared a concert last year and it was amazing. 

7. What is the best advice you have ever received regarding dance? 

Hold your stomach in and move from your center. And don’t take yourself too seriously. Those are good life skills also!    

Winifred Haun

8. Where do you think dance is going as an art form? 

I think choreographically dance is moving away from ballet. In her amazing book “Apollo’s Angels,” Jennifer Homans, says that ballet is a dying art form, and I reluctantly agree with her. No one is moving the form forward and without constant re-invention, it will eventually not be an art. Ballet will always be a great technique with lots to offer any dancer who studies it. But, as an art form, dance is moving away from ballet. (Lots of my friends, teachers and colleagues will heartily disagree with me. To them I say, let’s have coffee and talk about it 🙂 ) 

I also think we are living in a great time for dance. I think more than ever are aware of dance as an art form. We have the current dance TV shows and the internet to thank for that!9. What is it about dance that you love so much? 

I don’t know what it is but, I love watching dance, whether its a class, rehearsal, performance, or even my kids’ recitals. I love taking class, teaching class or coaching. I love all forms of dance: ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, etc. And I love making dances. Many times I have tried to live without making dances (my life would so much easier if I wasn’t a choreographer…). I’ve formally “quit” the dance field twice only to return for reasons I can’t quite articulate. I guess, for me, dance is kind of a calling. I feel like ideas for dances “seize” me and won’t let go. Its like I can’t not make dances. And I feel the most alive when I’m choreographing. 

10. What is next for you? 

Saturday, March 12 Winifred Haun & Dancers is performing at the Regional Alternative Dance Festival in Kalamazoo, MI. On Thursday and Friday, March 17 & 18, we’re premiering Bento in program of 6 works at the Hamlin Park Theater.

Filed Under: 10 Questions With..., 4dancers, 4teachers, Studios Tagged With: apollo's angels, bento, claire bataille, Eiko & Komo, Ellis-DuBoulay, Harriet Ross, hubbard street dance, Jennifer Homans, joseph holmes, legere dance, lou conte, mark morris, merce cunningham, Ohad Naharin, randy duncan, trisha brown, william forsythe, winifred haun

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