Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Contemporary Catalysts

September 13, 2013
by
Alexander Pham

Celebrating its 36th season, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is an innovative force, exhausting the limits of creativity and showcasing repertoire that spans the globe. Hubbard Street continues to be known for the articulation of a wide range of techniques interlocked by abstract artistry and emotional nuance, separating itself as one the world’s most influential contemporary dance companies of this era. Needless to say, we are excited to have Hubbard Street open Northrop’s 2013-14 dance season!Under the artistic leadership of Glenn Edgerton, the company will be performing Casi-Casa by Swedish master choreographer Mats Ek, in addition to two pieces choreographed by acclaimed resident choreographer and company dancer Andrew Cerrudo, and the world premiere of Fluence, choreographed by Robyn Mineko Williams.

Mats Ek’s Casi-Casa is an honest testament of the human condition, illustrated through his mischievous imagination that portrays ordinary people in unguarded moments. What sets this piece apart from contemporary works of today is that it’s not just about the versatility and virtuosity of the movement.  “Casi-Casa” means “almost home”, and the intimate narratives created evoke an experience and emotionality for audiences to discover what it truly means to live in the moment and movement of all that you do. We can find many aspects of ourselves in the work, whether it is our present, future, or past self. Unknowingly, the inquisitive movement deconstructs domestic life and creates for us both a world of our own reality juxtaposed with the piece’s reality, which creates the most surreal of experiences. Casi-Casa is more than a performance – it is a joint experience of the audience and dancers into a world that touches on everything we feel as human beings.

The above video of behind the scenes interviews with artistic director Glenn Edgerton and company members about Casi-Casa attest to the power of Mats Ek’s choreography to resonate beyond the movement. As said by Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street Artistic Director: “With the acquisition of Casi-Casa, we complete for our roster the line of international master choreographers whose work we’ve made it a priority to present: Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Jirí Kylián, Ohad Naharin, and now, Mats Ek. This is a dream come true.” In addition to Casi-Casa, you can preview the spectacular evening of dance through this video.Witness the masterful piece of Mats Ek along with other Hubbard Street favorites at the State Theatre on Sat, Sep 21 at 8:00 pm, and prepare to be inspired by a world of artistry through imaginative movement narratives.Purchase Tickets here.