Harris Theater to Host Inaural 'Eat (and Drink) to the Beat' with DanceWorks Chicago, 1/30

On Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 5:30PM, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance presents its first Eat (and Drink) to the Beat-a spinoff of the Theater's popular Eat to the Beat series-with a special "Appy Hour" prior to a performance from the award-winning ensemble DanceWorks Chicago (DWC). Some of the city's hippest food trucks will be on site to provide audience members with a variety of "apps" and food options. For the first time, the Theater will offer specialty cocktails and wine beverages to pair with food for a relaxing, post-work social gathering catered toward young business professionals of Chicago's downtown area.

In honor of the Harris Theater's 10th season, DWC will present a diverse four-piece program of works choreographed exclusively by Chicago-based choreographers, including a world premiere from Chicago favorite and Ruth Page Award winner Harrison McEldowney and aerial dance specialist Jeremy Plummer, recipient of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters 2013 Artistic Achievement Award.

Other works on the program include:

· Biota by Giordano Dance Chicago Assistant Artistic Director Autumn Eckman, a jazz-based, full-company work created for DanceWorks Chicago;

· Francisco Avina's From Here to There, commissioned by the Auditorium Theatre as part of its 2013 Music + Movement Festival and featuring music by seven-time Grammy Award winner Paul Wertico;

· Choreographer Josh Manculich presents the rate in which I am, a piece created for DanceWorks Chicago's inaugural DanceMoves Choreography Competition.

Eat to the Beat continues in 2014 with performances by The Chicago High School for the Arts on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 12PM, the Trey McIntyre Project featuring students from the Music Institute of Chicago on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 12PM, The Music Institute of Chicago on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 12PM, The Chicago Academy for the Arts on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 12PM.

Tickets for the first Eat (and Drink) to the Beat are $5; subscriptions for the rest of the 2013-2014 Eat to the Beat series are $20, available at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, or by calling the Box Office at 312.334.7777.

Eat to the Beat 2013-2014 Lead Corporate Sponsor: Crain's Chicago Business
The Harris Theater is pleased to announce that Crain's Chicago Business will act as lead corporate sponsor of the Theater's 2013-2014 Eat to the Beat series.

"Crain's is thrilled to sponsor the first Eat (and Drink) to the Beat, as well as the entire series," said David Snyder, publisher of Crain's Chicago Business. "Going to the Harris after work or at lunch is a great break for area professionals, and a terrific opportunity to see local performers."

The Harris Theater is proud to be able to keep ticket prices low for this performance thanks to the support of Crain's and Eat to the Beat underwriting sponsors.

Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin is the Lead Sponsor of the DanceWorks Chicago Eat to the Beat performance. The Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the series.

Founded in May 2007, DanceWorks Chicago is an organization committed to building a foundation for the individual artistic growth of dancers and choreographers, providing a laboratory from which early career artists propel themselves and the art form to a new level through training, collaboration, mentorship, and performance. Led by Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa and CEO Andreas Böttcher, DanceWorks Chicago is dedicated to creating an environment conducive to nurturing experiences of significance for everyone from artists to audiences.

To learn more about DanceWorks Chicago, visit danceworkschicago.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.