DanceWorks Chicago | Chicago Dance Company

Kimberly Davis

“Make life your masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.”

Kara Hunsinger

“No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a strange, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others.”

- Martha Graham

Racquel Mar

“When we share what we were brought here to give, we are in alignment with our highest, most powerful selves."

- Jen Sincero

Andrew McShea

“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.”

- Oscar Wilde

Elijah Richardson

"It doesn’t matter how high you can lift your leg, just sit, and open your eyes and open your heart."

- Mikhail Baryshnikov

Imani Williams

"We all know we have a finite period of time. I just feel if I’m going to be alive, I want to be challenged – to be as immortal as possible. The path to that isn’t an easy way, but it’s a rewarding way."

- Frank Ocean

Latest News

DanceWorks Chicago

8 hours ago

TODAY at 4:30pm! In celebration of Chicago's birthday, come dance (or watch) and check out Chicago's footworking scene in an event curated by Queen of Footwork, MurdaMommy! FREE, FUN, FAB! Mini-lessons by Special Guests including Devoureaux King Detro Wolf, a dance party, a Meet the Artists Q & A! See the line up and get the Zoom link here: www.danceworkschicago.org/calendar/celebrate-chicago/See Chicago Dance Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events #SupportLocal #ChicagoFootworking #ChicagoDance ... See MoreSee Less

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DanceWorks Chicago

1 day ago

Join us THURSDAY at 4:30pm to celebrate CHICAGO with MurdaMommy (www.danceworkschicago.org/calendar/celebrate-chicago/) get to know Jalen Tog Barnes, professional name DJ Jalen, multi-genre producer and DJ, actively pushing footwork, hip-hop and bass music internationally with his undefeated footwork crew, TOG - Takeova Global. He represents the embodiment of footwork by bringing a high energy performance that moves any crowd to dance.Prior to COVID-19, Jalen had been traveling to various cities performing and teaching interactive footwork workshops. In each city, he builds direct connections with the dance community in an effort to cultivate a new generation of footworkers. Luckily,that hasn’t changed. He’s since pivoted to hosting online dancetournaments for cash prizes called Footwork Friday and teaching hybrid dance classes at The Firehouse Community Arts Center. Jalen actively juggles hosting socially distanced events while producing new music and building his digital imprint, Takeova Entertainment.Today, DJ Jalen is focused on innovating the original footwork sound and pushing it to new listeners. He is currently preparing visuals for his recent EP entitled Here’s Ya Answer. This project is led by an official recap for Firehouse Footwork Classes, featuring various students learning the basics to dancing for live performance and in battles. This visual accompanies the crowd favorite single “Uh Oh” and sets the tone for TOG content in 2021.For more information on music, upcoming events and more, visitwww.takeovaent.com See Chicago Dance Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events #ChicagoFootwork #SupportLocal #StillMoving ... See MoreSee Less

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Community

About Us

Our commitment is to “Community” not “Company,” the Participatory, rather than the Proprietary. And having chosen this route, we are building a more robust dance community.

DanceWorks Chicago is committed to build 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 with integrity by Co-founder and Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa, DanceWorks Chicago fills a niche in the dance ecosystem investing in and shining a spotlight on the individual artists. Dancers are encouraged to explore their technical capability as well as their artistic curiosity in an individualized and deeply personal approach with the goal of nurturing passionate, articulate artists able to make meaningful contributions to the art form. Choreographically, we look to uncover new voices while also embracing opportunities to connect with more established choreographers providing mentorship and perspective for all involved. Welcoming the public to engage with the DanceWorks family to build context around the work of art is both our pleasure and our duty as a good dance citizen.