Chicago Dancers United to Revive DANCE DIVAS 2017 Dance for Life Kickoff

After more than a decade, Chicago Dancers United (CDU) is reviving DANCE DIVAS as the kickoff party for Dance for Life Chicago 2017.

Under the artistic direction of choreographers Harrison McEldowney and Jeremy Plummer, the glamorous night of "high heels and high camp" features Chicago's leading dance men portraying the world's leading female "dance divas" from film and stage. Tony Savino, who conceived the original show, will serve as Emcee.

Two performances take place Tuesday, June 20 at 8 and 10 p.m. at the famed female impersonation nightclub the Baton Show Lounge.

Upon arrival, guests have an opportunity to "Bid on a Diva" for an audience member to receive a complete drag makeover during the show. The winning and newly "glammed-up" Diva will be featured on stage later in the evening.

"DANCE DIVAS, the brainchild of Tony Savino, was an opportunity for the dance community to come together in a unique way as a part of Dance for Life," said McEldowney. "It was very special to everyone who was a part of it. We shared and celebrated each other and learned a great deal about our Chicago legacy and its dance legends." Added Plummer, "We are so excited to share this with a new generation of dancers and audiences, celebrating the Chicago dance community's amazing camaraderie across the companies that co-exist here."

DANCE DIVAS takes place Tuesday, June 20 at 8 and 10 p.m. (doors open 45 minutes before showtime) at Baton Show Lounge, 436 N. Clark Street, Chicago. Admission is $50 and includes two free drinks, available at chicagodancersunited.org/divas.

Dance for Life Chicago 2017, which this year takes place Saturday, August 19 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, is the annual benefit dance concert presenting and showcasing the city's unique diversity of talent, dance traditions and styles by bringing together talented, world-renowned professional dancers from Chicago for one night on the same stage. The dance community unites artistically to support those affected by critical health and other life issues by generously donating their time, energy and artistry to the cause. During the past 25 years, Dance for Life Chicago has presented 33 Chicago-based, professional dance companies and numerous choreographers. Proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago support The Dancers' Fund, which provides assistance to members of the dance community coping with critical health and life issues, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. For tickets and information, visit chicagodancersunited.org.

Dance for Life Chicago uses the art of dance to make a difference in people's lives. In response to the changing needs of Chicago's dance community, evolutions in the nature of HIV/AIDS, the growth of the annual event and its other programs, Dance for Life Chicago has grown into a nonprofit organization, Chicago Dancers United (CDU). CDU engages Chicago's dance community to support organizations and dance community professionals dealing with critical health and other life issues causing significant financial, emergency or catastrophic hardships, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, through dance.

Proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and CDU's The Dancers' Fund, which began in response to the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the dance community. The fund now offers assistance in, but not limited to, housing, utilities, insurance, medication and travel. As a unified dance community in Chicago, CDU uses dance to support a stronger and healthier community by focusing on its health and well-being through The Dancers' Fund and Dance for Life Chicago.

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