January 29-February 4, 2004

artpicks

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

by Deni Kasrel

dance

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has come a long way, baby. Founded in 1977 as a four-person ensemble, its first public gig was at a senior citizen home. Nowadays the group is 21 dancers strong, tours the world and is one of the few American dance companies where members enjoy a 52-week contract complete with benefits. So this is a troupe with genuine star power.

As for what sets Hubbard apart from other contemporary dance ensembles, Gail Kalver, HSDC executive director, says ever so humbly, "I think we have a knack for developing repertoire that is very engaging and very eclectic. Our programs are very user-friendly." Yes, and let's not overlook the fact that the dancers have exceptional chops both technically and in the complexity with which they convey emotion through movement. "The audience doesn't need to know what we're going for, they just need to know what they feel," says Kalver. "What we do evokes a variety of responses from them. Sometimes they laugh, sometimes they're nostalgic and sometimes they're wowed."

Expect plenty of "wow" with Hubbard's program beginning tonight. Selections include "Diphthong," a punchy, fast-moving work by up-and-comer Brian Enos; "Rooster," a kicky battle-of-the-sexes scenario done to hits by The Rolling Stones; and "Kiss," an ethereal duet that aims to evoke that place you go to when getting lost in a luscious lip-lock.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Thu., Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m., Fri., Jan. 30, 8 p.m., and Sat., Jan. 31, 2 and 8 p.m., $28-$36, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

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