Giordano Dance Chicago Presents Fall Engagement Oct. 23-24

Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC), America’s original jazz dance company, returns to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 Randolph Drive, for their fall engagement, Oct. 23-24. The performances will feature the world premiere of “Crossing/Lines,” a new full company work by Israeli-born Roni (Ronan) Koresh, choreographer of “EXit4” (2013).

“I first became familiar with Roni and his internationally acclaimed company through their involvement in our Jazz Dance World Congress,” says GDC Artistic Director Nan Giordano. “I knew first-hand of Roni’s reputation for physically and emotionally demanding choreography but also knew he had the opportunity to push our dancers to a whole new level. As expected, his first work for the company, “EXit4,” was a highly successful and exhilarating experience for the dancers and our audiences. So now I’m especially thrilled to secure him to create yet another full-company work for GDC.”

Born and raised in Israel, Koresh began his dance education as a youth as he trained with his mother, a folk dancer in the Yemenite tradition, and with a local Tel Aviv folk dance group. At 17, he moved on to more comprehensive study with Nira Paz and Moshe Romano and then became a member of Martha Graham’s Batsheva 2 Dance Company. In 1983, following a three-year enlistment in the Israeli army, Koresh immigrated to the U.S. to pursue a career in dance beyond Israel. He trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City and, in 1984, began performing with Shimon Braun’s acclaimed Waves Jazz Dance Company in Philadelphia. Koresh was one of the original Evening Magazine Dancers and won a 1987 People’s Choice Award as Philadelphia’s Most Outstanding Jazz Dancer. He formed Koresh Dance Company in 1991 and since then has created a vast repertoire of more than 40 works for the company.

In addition to the new Koresh work, the program for GDC’s Oct. 23-24 concerts will include four popular selections from its acclaimed repertoire: Ron DeJesus’ stark and seductive “Prey” (2003); Christopher Huggins exciting and kinetic “Pyrokinesis” (2007); the steamy Latin Ballroom inspired “Sabroso” choreographed by Del Dominguez and Laura Flores (2011) and Autumn Eckman’s contemporary athletic work “commonthread” (2009), with original score by Dan Meyers and John Ovnik.

Giordano Dance Chicago presents their fall engagement at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$75. For tickets call 312.334.7777 or visit harristheaterchicago.org.