Sick of Baseball and Football? Leap Over to Chicago's Dance Festival

Every November, dance aficionados head to Chicago for the city's month-long boogie festival, Dance Chicago to see everything from ballroom to ballet to clogging to hip-hop. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Dance Chicago, and while you can expect some good dancing, the fest is changing it up this year.

The biggest change is that the festival is leaving its home base of the Athenaeum Theatre and holding performances in venues all over the region, including the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Theatre Building in Chicago and Music Institute of Chicago's Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston. Another difference is that there are fewer acts this year, though more than 130 companies will perform. Tickets cost $20 to $25. Here are our fest picks:

15th Anniversary Spectacular
The Oct. 31 show will feature new works by Chicago�s best choreographers and ensembles, like Inaside Chicago Dance and Phaze II: Crosstown Crew; Dance Chicago Choreographers of the Year; national companies; and international guests. Here you'll see dances of all types: ballet, tap, urban, Irish, character, jazz and contemporary.

Choreographer's Showcase
This Nov. 15 showcase will highlight new works by well-known local choreographers, including Dori Santarsiere of Thodos Dance Chicago and Eddy Ocampo of Forum Jazz Dance Theatre.

Fringe Carnival
If you prefer less traditional dancing that's down-right out there, this Nov. 13 show is for you. Improvisational dancers as well as boundary-pushing companies will perform, including Be the Groove, a rhythmic performance ensemble, and think/dance collective, a contact improv group.

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[Photo: Dance Chicago's Facebook]

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