River North Dance Chicago performs March 8 & 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre

Combining athletic prowess and artistic perspective with bold, theatrical flair, River North Dance Chicago performs its fresh take on contemporary jazz dance at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place on Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. River North Dance Chicago, led by Artistic Director Frank Chaves, aims for audiences to feel the complete spectrum of human emotions in a single evening, and to leave them feeling joyful and exhilarated at the end of each program. The Chicago Sun-Times claims, “…this is one sleek, confident, athletic, daring, versatile company.”

Founded in 1989, River North Dance Chicago has established itself as one of Chicago’s leading dance companies, and one of the most popular national repertory companies, receiving critical acclaim in the U.S. and internationally. The company has toured extensively in Illinois, throughout the United States and, since 2008 has conducted various international tours to Colombia, Germany, Korea, Switzerland and Russia. RNDC was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as #2 in 2011’s “Top 10” dance performances, and The Chicago Sun-Times raved that the “company has been dancing brilliantly for many seasons, but it rarely has looked better.”

River North Dance Chicago’s repertoire features core works by Frank Chaves that are augmented with an array of pieces by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers. Performed by highly skilled and emotive dancers, these pieces explore new types of dance to keep the mix new, but Chaves is careful never to let the company stray from its jazz roots. The company’s highly regarded residency programs and outreach include Street Beat: Dance Through the Decades – a social history of the 20^th Century through dance; classroom workshops, open rehearsals and curtain talks.

Artistic Director Frank Chaves joined River North Dance Chicago in 1993, and assumed sole artistic directorship in May 2001. Since then he has created over 20 works in the company’s repertoire. Chaves has created numerous works for other companies including Spectrum Dance Theatre, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and the National Choreographers Initiative. His theatrical commissions have included work for Steppenwolf Theatre and Cleveland Playhouse. As a performer, Chaves has danced with companies including Ballet Concerto of Miami and New York’s Ballet Hispanico. In 2000, he received a Ruth Page Dance Achievement Award for Mission, co-created with Sherry Zunker, Co-Artistic Director Emerita of River North Dance Chicago, in honor of the company’s 10^th anniversary. Chaves is an Adjunct Professor of Dance for Western Michigan University.

Intersections Pre-show Discussions: For insight and increased enjoyment of the performances, ticket holders can attend free pre-performance discussions, lead by Artistic Director Frank Chaves of River North Dance Chicago, in The Forum at Pack Place at 7:00 p.m. before both performances.

As part of Diana Wortham Theatre’s ongoing commitment to arts education, River North Dance Chicago will visit a local school to host a master class for young dance students.

River North Dance Chicago’s Asheville performances are presented in partnership with The Art Fryar Charitable Trust Fund. The performances are made possible by Performance Sponsors Michael & Catty Andry and Dr. Richard E. Howell, DDS; and by Mainstage Dance Series Sponsors Wells Fargo, Hedy Fischer & Randy Shull, Tina & John McGuire, and Ronna & Rob Resnick; with additional support from Media Sponsors The Laurel of Asheville and WCQS 88.1 FM.

The Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place is located in the same complex as the Asheville Art Museum and the Colburn Earth Science Museum and is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants. The intimate theatre seats just over 500 and boasts exceptional acoustics and sightlines, making it the premier performance space in all of Western North Carolina. The Mainstage Series is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency. The Mainstage Series 2012/2013 Season Sponsors are the Asheville Citizen-Times, Creative Energy, Laurey’s Catering and Gourmet-to-go, the North Carolina Arts Council, and Renaissance Asheville Hotel. To obtain more information on the Mainstage Series or to purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com.

To obtain more information on River North Dance Chicago’s March 8 and 9 performances at Diana Wortham Theatre or to purchase tickets (Regular $40; Student $35; Child $15), call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com. Student Rush tickets ($10 for students with valid I.D.) are sold the day of the show, based on availability.