### Event Description: The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet

**Event:** The Nutcracker  
**Choreography:** Christopher Wheeldon  
**Music:** Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky  
**Dates:** December 6-28, 2024  
**Location:** Lyric Opera House  
**Running Time:** 2 hours  

**Description:**
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Joffrey Ballet's enchanting production of "The Nutcracker," choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, this beloved version of the classic ballet brings to life a festive celebration on a magical Christmas Eve.

Join Marie and her mother, a sculptress working on the fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, as they partake in a joyous celebration with a surprise visit from the mysterious Great Impresario. The night unfolds with an epic battle between Toy Soldiers and The Rat King, leading Marie on a whirlwind journey with the Nutcracker Prince to the dreamlike fairgrounds of the World’s Columbian Exposition, featuring sprawling attractions from around the globe.

The production is set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and features a celebrated creative team, including:
- **Julian Crouch:** Tony Award-nominated set and costume designer
- **Brian Selznick:** Caldecott Medal Award-winning author
- **Basil Twist:** Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer
- **Natasha Katz:** Tony Award-winning lighting designer
- **Ben Pearcy:** Tony Award-winning projection designer

**Sponsors:**
- **Presenting Sponsor:** Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company
- **Commissioning Sponsors:** Margot and Josef Lakonishok, Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa

Celebrate the holiday season with this heartwarming and visually stunning production that redefines holiday magic in Chicago. Whether it's your first time or your 51st, "The Nutcracker" by the Joffrey Ballet promises to tug at your heartstrings and leave you in awe.

EPSG:4326

The Nutcracker

Lyric Opera House

Through its inspiring story, beautiful music, and charming choreography, “The Nutcracker” celebrates the joyous holiday season. Ballet Chicago's “The Nutcracker” takes us on an unforgettable journey with young Marie as she travels from her home on Christmas Eve. She ventures to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of the Sweets, featuring George Balanchine’s Sugar Plum Fairy Pas De Deux. It is a time to relive cherished memories of childhood. It is the opportunity to create new memories for children filled with anticipation for the holidays. And it is an experience for everyone to share with friends and family.

Harris Theater

### Event Description: Complexions Contemporary Ballet at the Auditorium Theatre

**Event:** Complexions Contemporary Ballet  
**Date:** Friday, February 7, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Location:** Auditorium Theatre  
**Ticket Price:** Starting at $39.00

#### Event Overview:
Celebrate the 30th anniversary season of Complexions Contemporary Ballet with their newest work, *For Crying Out Loud*, set to the music of the internationally renowned band U2. This performance promises an adrenaline-fueled evening with breathtaking arabesques and dynamic choreography that will leave you in awe.

#### About Complexions Contemporary Ballet:
Founded in 1994 by Master Choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet is renowned for its innovative approach to dance. The company blends a groundbreaking mix of methods, styles, and cultures, aiming to remove boundaries rather than reinforce them. Complexions transcends the limiting traditions of single styles, periods, venues, or cultures, creating an open and continually evolving form of dance that reflects the interconnectedness of our world and its diverse cultures.

#### Why Attend:
- **Experience Innovation:** Witness a unique blend of dance styles and cultural influences.
- **Celebrate Milestones:** Join in the celebration of Complexions' 30th anniversary.
- **Musical Journey:** Enjoy a performance set to the iconic music of U2.
- **Breathtaking Choreography:** Be captivated by the dancers' skill and the emotional journey they convey.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a night of extraordinary dance that celebrates the past while building the future of the art form. Get your tickets now and be part of an unforgettable evening at the Auditorium Theatre.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Roosevelt University

### Golden Hour by Joffrey Ballet

**Event Overview:**
Bask in the glow of "Golden Hour," a radiant mixed repertoire program presented by the Joffrey Ballet. This captivating event will take place from February 20 to March 2, 2025, at the Lyric Opera House. The program promises an evening of warmth and splendor, featuring a blend of world premieres and audience favorites.

**Performance Details:**

1. **Princess and the Pea**
   - **Choreography:** Dani Rowe
   - **Music:** Jim Stephenson
   - **Description:** Australian choreographer Dani Rowe, known for her rich, flowing, and contemporary style, presents a modern re-envisioning of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy tale, "Princess and the Pea."

2. **Heimat**
   - **Choreography:** Cathy Marston
   - **Music:** Richard Wagner
   - **Description:** Cathy Marston’s "Heimat" is a dance interpretation of Wagner's symphonic poem "Siegfried Idyll." It paints a serene picture of a family in the Swiss countryside and explores the concept of "heimat," a term that suggests a place of spiritual and creative familiarity.

3. **Under the Trees' Voices**
   - **Choreography:** Nicolas Blanc
   - **Music:** Ezio Bosso
   - **Description:** Set to Symphony No. 2 by Bosso, Nicolas Blanc’s "Under the Trees’ Voices" examines the persistence of community and connection in the age of distance and isolation. The piece imagines a future of hope and unity, reminding us that we are better together than alone.

4. **Andante**
   - **Choreography:** Yuri Possokhov
   - **Music:** Dmitri Shostakovich
   - **Description:** Renowned choreographer Yuri Possokhov returns with an intimate world premiere set on three dancers. Possokhov is celebrated for his critically acclaimed works, including "Anna Karenina," "The Miraculous Mandarin," and "Don Quixote."

**Choreographers:**
- **Dani Rowe:** Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre, known for her works with San Francisco Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and more.
- **Cathy Marston:** Award-winning choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballett Zürich.
- **Nicolas Blanc:** Chicago-based choreographer and Rehearsal Director at The Joffrey Ballet, with works created for New York City Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.
- **Yuri Possokhov:** Renowned dancer and choreographer with creations for The Joffrey Ballet, The Australian Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and Bolshoi Ballet.

**Venue:**
- **Location:** Lyric Opera House
- **Dates:** February 20 - March 2, 2025

Join the Joffrey Ballet for an unforgettable evening of dance that celebrates the beauty of human connection and artistic expression.

Golden Hour 

### Event Description: Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández at the Auditorium Theatre

**Event Dates:**  
Saturday, March 1, 2025 - Sunday, March 2, 2025

**Event Overview:**  
Celebrate the stunning and visually opulent history, culture, music, and dance of Mexico with Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. This world-renowned dance company, founded in 1952 by the legendary dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, brings together the rich tapestry of Mexican folklore, from pre-Colombian civilizations to the modern era. 

**Performance Highlights:**  
- **Renowned Choreography:** Experience the acclaimed choreography of Amalia Hernández, which has captivated audiences worldwide.
- **Live Music:** Be moved by the live music that accompanies the dancers, creating a whirling, kaleidoscopic splendor.
- **Cultural Showcase:** The performance features the music, dance, and costumes of Mexican folklore, offering a vibrant and immersive cultural experience.

**Company Background:**  
Ballet Folklórico de México has its permanent home at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of Mexico City’s most historic venues. The company has developed choreography for 40 ballets and is composed of 60 folk dancers and musicians who have performed extensively across Mexico and abroad.

**Ticket Information:**  
- **Tickets Start At:** $30.00
- **Purchase Tickets:** [Get Tickets](#)

Join us at the Auditorium Theatre for an unforgettable celebration of Mexican heritage through the art of dance and music.

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

Ragamala Dance Company returns to the Harris Theater with Children of Dharma, a new evening-length piece that builds upon decades of the company’s pioneering work. Centering ancestral wisdom, artistic excellence, and creativity to contextualize the immigrant experience, Ragamala Dance Company continues to uphold dance as a spiritual practice that can inspire, heal, and transform communities.

Children of Dharma

The legendary Twyla Tharp celebrates her 60th anniversary as a choreographer with a coast-to-coast diamond jubilee tour that includes two performances at the Harris Theater. Each performance features Tharp’s Diabelli Variations, set to Beethoven’s masterpiece of the same name, and a new work set to a reimagining of Philip Glass’s iconic Aguas da Amazônia, arranged and performed live by Chicago’s own Third Coast Percussion. Showcasing Tharp’s uncanny and witty use of music to create work of startling originality and beauty, the two dances once again ensure Tharp’s place as one of the great artists of our time.

Twyla Tharp Dance

The University of Chicago Presents is proud to feature inDANCE, a progressive dance company renowned for its eclectic choreographic inspirations. Under the artistic direction of Hari Krishnan, inDANCE masterfully blends elements of Bharatanatyam, contemporary dance, and queer aesthetics. Their performance, ROWDIES IN LOVE, is a compelling exploration of technical precision and queer intimacy. This production utilizes inDANCE's distinctive movement style to challenge and redefine societal norms. Performed by eight exceptional dancers, ROWDIES IN LOVE stands as a transformative political statement, advocating for the acceptance and celebration of diverse gender and sexual identities. The performance is part of the 2024/25 Music Without Borders Series, showcasing the innovative spirit and artistic excellence that inDANCE brings to the stage.

inDANCE

Logan Center

### Event Description: Hiplet Ballerinas at the Auditorium Theatre

**Event:** Hiplet Ballerinas  
**Date:** Saturday, May 17, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Location:** Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois  
**Tickets Start At:** $39.00

#### Event Overview:
Experience the groundbreaking fusion of classical pointe technique with Hip-Hop and other dance styles, brought to you by the trailblazing Hiplet Ballerinas of Chicago. This unique company is the only one in the world to perform the signature Hiplet style, which seamlessly blends ballet with African, Latin, Hip-Hop, and urban dance forms rooted in communities of color.

#### What to Expect:
- **Innovative Dance Styles:** Witness a fiery fusion of classical ballet and contemporary dance styles.
- **Inclusivity:** The performance promotes inclusivity with true-toned tights, modern music, and a diverse cast of dancers of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
- **Cutting-Edge Performance:** Enjoy a show that redefines ballet with a cutting-edge style, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

#### Additional Information:
- **Tickets:** Available starting at $39.00.  
- **Venue:** The historic Auditorium Theatre, a National Historic Landmark known for its rich history and architectural beauty.

Don't miss this opportunity to see the Hiplet Ballerinas live and experience a dance performance like no other. Get your tickets now and be part of a night filled with innovation, inclusivity, and extraordinary talent.

Hiplet Ballerinas

### Event Description: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Joffrey Ballet

**Event:** Alice's Adventures in Wonderland  
**Dates:** June 5-15, 2025  
**Location:** Lyric Opera House, Chicago  
**Choreography:** Christopher Wheeldon  
**Music:** Joby Talbot  

#### Event Overview:
Experience the Chicago premiere of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with the Joffrey Ballet, the first American ballet company to bring Christopher Wheeldon’s imaginative interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale to life. This production plunges audiences down the rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with whimsical characters and extraordinary adventures.

#### Artistic Highlights:
- **Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon:** Two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon brings a modern twist to this beloved story, creating a visually stunning and emotionally engaging performance.
- **Music by Joby Talbot:** The hallucinatory soundscape composed by Joby Talbot features sweeping melodies and ticking clocks, enhancing the magical atmosphere of Wonderland.
- **Design by Bob Crowley:** Tony Award-winning designer Bob Crowley’s vibrant stagecraft and puppetry make Wonderland wonderfully real, adding layers of humor, eccentricity, and fantasy to the performance.

#### Characters:
- **Alice and the White Rabbit**
- **Mad Hatter**
- **Queen of Hearts**
- **Caterpillar**

#### Sponsors:
- **Presenting Sponsor:** Ethel Gofen
- **Major Sponsors:** Mary Jo and Doug Basler, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters
- **Costume Sponsor:** Jane Ellen Murray Foundation

Join us for a seamless fusion of dance, storytelling, and visual artistry as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland takes you on a magical trip through an extraordinary realm. Don’t miss this audience-favorite dance adventure at the Lyric Opera House from June 5-15, 2025.

Ballet & Dance events in Chicago, IL

The Nutcracker

Joffrey Ballet

The Nutcracker

Harris Theater

Complexions Contemporary ...

Auditorium Theatre

Golden Hour

Joffrey Ballet

Ballet Folklórico de Méxi...

Auditorium Theatre

Children of Dharma

Harris Theater

Twyla Tharp Dance

Harris Theater

inDANCE

UChicago Presents

Hiplet Ballerinas

Auditorium Theatre

Alice's Adventures in Won...

Joffrey Ballet