Chicago-Style:
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble and CIRCA-Pintig Benefit
A Community Fundraiser for Arts Education and Social Justice Theatre
This year's fundraiser, CHICAGO-STYLE, will directly support Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble's and The Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts exciting new collaborative project, "Panther In The Sky" and our arts education and production lineup. "Panther" explores the lives of four mothers grappling with the tragic loss of their teenage sons to gun violence. This discussion will inspire CDE's focus on "Creating Safer Communities" in our forthcoming production season and arts education programming.
We encourage participants to come celebrate our beautiful city, dressed in their favorite Chicago attire, and help us continue to create community through the arts "One Voice, One Story, One Person at a Time."
Date
November 11, 2023
Time
VIP hour: 6pm - 7pm
General Admission: 7pm - 10pm
Location
the Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (CDE's performance space)
1650 W. Foster Avenue
Get your tickets before they're gone!
Price range: $25 - $400
This year's fundraiser, CHICAGO-STYLE, will directly support Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble's and The Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts exciting new collaborative project, "Panther In The Sky" and our arts education and production lineup. "Panther" explores the lives of four mothers grappling with the tragic loss of their teenage sons to gun violence. This discussion will inspire CDE's focus on "Creating Safer Communities" in our forthcoming production season and arts education programming.
We encourage participants to come celebrate our beautiful city, dressed in their favorite Chicago attire, and help us continue to create community through the arts "One Voice, One Story, One Person at a Time."
Date
November 11, 2023
Time
VIP hour: 6pm - 7pm
General Admission: 7pm - 10pm
Location
the Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (CDE's performance space)
1650 W. Foster Avenue
Get your tickets before they're gone!
Price range: $25 - $400
Order of Events
6-8 pm: Tarot readings with Joe Polise
6:10 - 6:50 pm: Urban Horizon (VIP)
7:00 - 7:30 pm: DJ Jonny Fadez, Set 1
7:30-7:45 pm: Chicago Trivia with Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Susie An
7:45 - 8:30 pm: LANKAN Music
8:45 - 8:55 pm: performances by Courtney Reid Harris & Ella Dietz
9:00 - 10:00 pm: DJ Jonny Fadez, Set 2
6:10 - 6:50 pm: Urban Horizon (VIP)
7:00 - 7:30 pm: DJ Jonny Fadez, Set 1
7:30-7:45 pm: Chicago Trivia with Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Susie An
7:45 - 8:30 pm: LANKAN Music
8:45 - 8:55 pm: performances by Courtney Reid Harris & Ella Dietz
9:00 - 10:00 pm: DJ Jonny Fadez, Set 2
Special Guests
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Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
is a progressive Democrat, longtime local small-business owner, and community organizer who was elected as alderwoman of Chicago’s 48th ward on April 4, 2023. The ward includes parts of Andersonville, Edgewater, and Uptown. Leni has deep roots and investment in the 48th ward, the community that she loves. She is the first Filipina to serve in the 185-year history of the Chicago City Council. Leni is now running for 48th Ward Democratic Committeewoman to continue her commitment to civic engagement, activating and mobilizing for every election to support Dems up and down the ballot. Read more… |
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Susie An
is the editor of Curious City, a weekly podcast and segment on WBEZ-FM, the NPR affiliate in Chicago. She previously worked as an education reporter, covering suburban and statewide issues. She also co-hosts the podcast "Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast." |
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Adriana Cardona-Maguigad
is a reporter with WBEZ’s Curious City, a weekly radio show and podcast that promotes audience engagement, and strengthens audio storytelling about the Chicago region and its residents. Before joining the Curious City team, Adriana covered Chicago schools, the classrooms and youth culture. Her work has been recognized with several awards including a Sigma Delta Chi Award with the Society of Professional Journalists, and a National Edward R. Murrow Award. |
Performances
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LAKAN Music
is a singer, songwriter, and producer currently based in Northern California. Lakan tends to draw influence from many different styles and genres but for this Philippine born son of a singer who was raised in the cold streets of Chicago, soul is the true reflection of the people society most often sees as a problem. With a commanding lyrical ability and a voice that retells stories of love and loss, pain, hope and healing, Lakan personifies that soul. |
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RAHSAAN NANCE
started guitar lessons at 5 and began teaching himself bass at 12. He has studied at Steckman Studio of Music, Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp, and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy where he received the Duke Ellington Award for Leadership Focus and Professionalism. Rahsaan also studied jazz guitar and piano at the Merit School of Music Conservatory. He was a member of the band Lance, performed with George Bailey and the Snake Doctors, Steckman’s jazz combo, and at book events for Rosalind Cummings-Yeates’ “Exploring Chicago Blues”. In Middle School, Rahsaan played viola in the orchestra and was a member of the rock band, jazz combo, and IGSMA Division 1- rated jazz ensemble. In high school, Rahsaan performed tenor saxophone and bass clarinet as a part of the wind ensemble in addition to playing guitar in the jazz ensemble. He also joined the Jazz Institute’s student council and Jazz Links ensemble. Rahsaan also studied jazz guitar at Oberlin Conservatory. URBAN HORIZONS was formed in 2019 by multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Nance. With an ever-changing roster, the group looks to explore and expand all corners of jazz, funk, and fusion through songs from the jazz canon, covers from various genres, and original music. They plan to release their debut album in 2024. |
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Courtney Reid Harris
After spending the last couple of years as an elementary educator, she is so jazzed to prance around a stage again! When she is not doing arts and crafts with her cat, you can see her around town doing stand up, sketch comedy, or watching films at the Music Box. Much thanks to her loving partner in crime, Kerry, and to the Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble for this wonderful opportunity to create. |
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Ella Dietz
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Tarot in our new office!
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Tarot by Joe
Our good friend Joe Polise, a staple at our benefits will be back to help you see what the cards see! |
What Will This Benefit Support?
Great question! Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) and The Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA-Pintig) are thrilled to share an exciting project coming in May! We are partnering on an original production of a compelling play, "Panther in the Sky," written by Lani T. Montreal.
Keep reading to learn more about "Panther" and how it will inspire the rest of our arts education and production lineup this season.
Keep reading to learn more about "Panther" and how it will inspire the rest of our arts education and production lineup this season.
"Panther In The Sky"
CDE and CIRCA-Pintig are producing a new play, "Panther In The Sky" written by Lani T. Montreal about four mothers who are dealing with the murders of their teenage sons on the streets of Chicago. The sons meet each other in the afterlife and grapple with the reality of their abrupt demise, while their mothers cope with grief and struggle to understand it all.
Lani T. Montreal is an educator, writer, performer, and community activist. Her writings have been published and produced in Canada, the U.S., the Philippines, and cyberspace. She wrote this play based on news reports and stories shared by families and friends of those who have lost children and young adults to gun violence. This documentary theater style can engage people in conversations about gun violence and its toll on a community. The production will also include a curated art exhibition!
At the Performance
We will have community activism tables set up at every performance. These tables will be run by local activist groups, allowing our audience to write a letter or sign a prefilled postcard about topical social justice issues. These letters and postcards will be sent to local, state, and national politicians to encourage change. For Panther in the Sky, the activism will be centered around gun violence. Our performances create hope and inspire everyone to make the world a better place. Now, we can allow patrons to get loud and make their voices heard while feeling inspired and passionate about specific topics!
These groups will include local community members passionate about activism and Chicago Alderpeople. Their presence provides support and guidance and helps mobilize their respective districts to take action and work toward positive change.
This postcard/letter writing campaign is a proactive and effective way to engage our audience and empower them to make a difference. It utilizes the platform of the performances to create a space for dialogue, awareness, and activism, encouraging patrons to actively participate in shaping a better world.
Lani T. Montreal is an educator, writer, performer, and community activist. Her writings have been published and produced in Canada, the U.S., the Philippines, and cyberspace. She wrote this play based on news reports and stories shared by families and friends of those who have lost children and young adults to gun violence. This documentary theater style can engage people in conversations about gun violence and its toll on a community. The production will also include a curated art exhibition!
At the Performance
We will have community activism tables set up at every performance. These tables will be run by local activist groups, allowing our audience to write a letter or sign a prefilled postcard about topical social justice issues. These letters and postcards will be sent to local, state, and national politicians to encourage change. For Panther in the Sky, the activism will be centered around gun violence. Our performances create hope and inspire everyone to make the world a better place. Now, we can allow patrons to get loud and make their voices heard while feeling inspired and passionate about specific topics!
These groups will include local community members passionate about activism and Chicago Alderpeople. Their presence provides support and guidance and helps mobilize their respective districts to take action and work toward positive change.
This postcard/letter writing campaign is a proactive and effective way to engage our audience and empower them to make a difference. It utilizes the platform of the performances to create a space for dialogue, awareness, and activism, encouraging patrons to actively participate in shaping a better world.
Arts Education Programming
CDE Arts Education Programming on Safer Communities
CDE will bring these themes to our own arts education programs. Specifically, we want to open up this discussion with our teens at the Boys and Girls Club. Engaging with teens at the Boys and Girls Club is a great way to address important topics and provide a positive and inspiring event for the youth. Seeking instruction and feedback from educators and activists will help ensure the discussion is approached sensitively and productively.
In addition to the teen-focused programs, implementing child/caregiver workshops to expand safe spaces for families is our next step/planned event. By creating these safe and accessible spaces, CDE promotes the overall well-being of children and their families, ultimately creating safer communities for everyone. While the workshops may not directly discuss gun violence, the broader focus on building safer communities encompasses various aspects. We will also give the parents resources for them to make their voices heard on how to end gun violence in their communities.
By integrating arts education programming, we provide a creative and expressive outlet for young individuals to engage with these critical topics. Art can evoke emotions, promote dialogue, and foster understanding, making it an effective tool for exploring subjects related to gun violence.
Community College Workshops/Discussions of "Panther in the Sky"
Lani T. Montreal is a Chicago community college teacher. CDE works with High School students in Chicago Public Schools and partners with community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. CDE and CIRCA-Pintig will take monologues and scenes from "Panther in the Sky" to Chicago community colleges and high schools to workshop scenes and open up a discussion about the show's essential themes. Workshopping scenes and facilitating discussions around the show's themes allow young people to explore and express their perspectives on the subject matter. By actively listening to their experiences and insights, we can gain valuable insights into the challenges and concerns they face, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of these issues.
CDE will bring these themes to our own arts education programs. Specifically, we want to open up this discussion with our teens at the Boys and Girls Club. Engaging with teens at the Boys and Girls Club is a great way to address important topics and provide a positive and inspiring event for the youth. Seeking instruction and feedback from educators and activists will help ensure the discussion is approached sensitively and productively.
In addition to the teen-focused programs, implementing child/caregiver workshops to expand safe spaces for families is our next step/planned event. By creating these safe and accessible spaces, CDE promotes the overall well-being of children and their families, ultimately creating safer communities for everyone. While the workshops may not directly discuss gun violence, the broader focus on building safer communities encompasses various aspects. We will also give the parents resources for them to make their voices heard on how to end gun violence in their communities.
By integrating arts education programming, we provide a creative and expressive outlet for young individuals to engage with these critical topics. Art can evoke emotions, promote dialogue, and foster understanding, making it an effective tool for exploring subjects related to gun violence.
Community College Workshops/Discussions of "Panther in the Sky"
Lani T. Montreal is a Chicago community college teacher. CDE works with High School students in Chicago Public Schools and partners with community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. CDE and CIRCA-Pintig will take monologues and scenes from "Panther in the Sky" to Chicago community colleges and high schools to workshop scenes and open up a discussion about the show's essential themes. Workshopping scenes and facilitating discussions around the show's themes allow young people to explore and express their perspectives on the subject matter. By actively listening to their experiences and insights, we can gain valuable insights into the challenges and concerns they face, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of these issues.
Community Voices Project
CDE and CIRCA-Pintig will take the poetry, spoken word, dialogue, and visual art created in the workshops and discussions mentioned above to create a new performance and art exhibition series. We would like to have some participants perform their work alongside theater and dance community professionals.
