Evanston Dance Ensemble Celebrates 20 FABulous Years

The Evanston Dance Ensemble (EDE) celebrates its 20^th anniversary season with a return to the hits of the Beatles and a reboot of one of the company’s most well-received productions. On March 17-19, EDE presents FAB 2.0! EDE Dances the Beatles at Northwestern University’s Josephine Louis Theatre (20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston). EDE co-artistic directors Béa Rashid and Christina Ernst are joined by a talented group of professional choreographers in pairing original choreography with covers of the Fab Four’s hits. FAB 2.0! EDE Dances the Beatles will be performed on Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 18 at 4 p.m.; and on Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are priced at $16.00 for children under 18, students and seniors, and $24.00 for adults. A preview performance will be presented on Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. with a special ticket price of $15 per person. All tickets may be purchased by calling the Northwestern Box Office at 847.491.7282 or by going online at www.tinyurl.com/k2pzl2e.

Over the past 20 years, EDE has earned a reputation for creating innovative, exciting productions for audiences of all ages. The ensemble brings the artistry and excitement of dance to the community using a corps of dedicated and talented young student dancers. EDE founder Béa Rashid has worked with a professional team of artists over the years to create a pre-professional setting in which the ensemble members work with highly experienced choreographers, designers, and guest dancers. The broad spectrum of dance choreography in the March production is indicative of past shows, which have included modern, jazz, hip hop, tap, and ballet.

Over 150 dancers have performed with the Evanston Dance Ensemble and many have gone on to renowned dance programs and companies throughout the country. As a special 20th anniversary tribute, ten alums will return to perform live and many more via video as part of FAB 2.0! EDE Dances the Beatles. In addition, recent SUNY Purchase graduate and EDE alum Keerati Jinakunwiphat's piece "Come Together" has been re-set on EDE and will serve as the show's finale.

“We are thrilled to be working with our talented alums and very excited to be introducing them to our current corps of dancers,” states director Rashid. “Worlds are colliding and we are creating new relationships with these dancers, and now they are the ones sharing their expertise with the group. It is a wonderful way to mark two decades of developing talented, well-rounded young dancers.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Glavin