The Chicago Park District presents “Community Rhythms,” an afternoon of workshops and performances with professional dance ensembles and park instructors, Saturday, April 26 at Austin Town Hall Cultural Center, 5610 W. Lake St., from 1 to 4 p.m.
Admission is free.
Community Rhythms welcomes all ages to sample workshops in tap, ballet, hip-hop, modern, jazz, Latin and more. Highlights include professional Chicago Park District Arts partners, such as Najwa Dance Corps and Ayodele Drum & Dance (who will perform), and Chicago Moving Company and Chicago Dance Medium (who will lead dance classes).
Here’s the the schedule:
Sessions from 1-1:40 p.m.
Jazz for ages 13-18: Our fun, energetic learning environment is designed to bring out the student’s individual style and originality.
Basic Ballet for ages 6-12: The goal of this class is to bring out children’s natural creativity and movement to music. The students will learn the beginnings of technique, positions and grounding skills.
Creative Movement for ages 3-5: Creative play and dance combine to develop beginning movement skills and self-expression. Children work together and communicate ideas through music, movement, activities and games.
Ballet for ages 6 and up: This overview class uses barre and center floor exercises to demonstrate how they are a foundation for contemporary dance performance styles.
Tap for ages 6 and up: This fundamentals class will emphasize rhythmic tapping and musicality.
Sessions from 1:45-2:25 p.m.
Modern for ages 13-18: This workshop will blend movement technique and dance concepts with the artistry of self-expression, exploration and improvisation.
Tiny tot ballet for ages 3-5: The goal of this class is to bring out children’s natural creativity and movement to music. The students will learn the beginnings of technique, positions and grounding skills.
Hip-hop for ages 6 and up: This workshop will start with history and then focus on the art of isolation, rhythm, musicality and end with choreography that will tie in everything.
Modern choreography for ages 6 and up: Participants will use simple exercises and movement to create unique movement patterns and building blocks for larger performance pieces.
Jazz technique class for ages 13 and up: Learn basic and intermediate jazz technique that focuses on dynamics, musicality, high energy, and expansive movement.
Session at 2:30 p.m.
Latin beats with an urban flair for all ages: Chicago Latin Fitness will instruct the basics of Latin dance, such as merengue, salsa, bachata and reggaeton. Come in movement clothing and bring comfortable foot wear (no running shoes).
Performances begin at 3:20 p.m.