The teen ritual of social dance events and the timelessness of dance as a social medium are the themes of the Evanston Dance Ensemble’s March 2014 production “The Big Night.” Presented in two acts – “Graduation Ball” and “Prom 2014” – “The Big Night” marks EDE’s first evening of dance, pairing classical ballet with a second act of individual contemporary concert pieces.
In addition to choreography from Rashid and Ernst, guest choreographers include Jeff
Hancock, founding member of River North Dance Chicago and a former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; Michel Rodriguez, choreographer and dancer with Lucky Plush Productions; Enid Smith, founder of enidsmithdance; and Julie Cartier, artistic director of Especially Tap Chicago Dance Company.
EDE welcomes special guest dancer Mike Gosney, founder and artistic director of Elements Contemporary Ballet. “Graduation Ball” will also feature guest performances by Glenn Leslie, formerly of the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project and founder of Classic Jazz and Tap Productions; Luke Joiner, a dancer with Elements Contemporary Ballet; and Britt Banaszynski, a company member of Striding Lion Performance Group.
EDE will present five performances of “The Big Night” at the Josephine Louis Theatre on Northwestern University’s campus (20 Art Circle Drive): March 14 at 7 p.m., and March 15 and 16 at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $16 for children under 18, students and seniors, and $24.00 for adults. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Northwestern Box Office at 847-491-7282 or online at www.tic.northwestern.edu. More information can be found at www.evanstondanceensemble.org or by calling 847-328-6683.