In celebration of his dance company’s 40th anniversary, renowned choreographer Joel Hall presents the Joel Hall Dancers in the world premiere of “Anja: The Unexpected” over two weekends this summer — Aug. 7-8 and 14-15 — at the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. “Anja” invites audiences to experience the graceful, inexhaustible eye of the unexpected, as live music and dance become one in a seamless performance that will awaken spectators visually, aurally, and spiritually. Joel Hall’s “Anja” is an ambitious collaboration with three Chicago jazz musicians: Charles Heath (percussion), Ray Silkman (saxophone), and up and coming jazz vocalist Jesse Charbonier. In this full-length concert performance, each musician will perform live alongside Hall’s original choreography, creating imagery of every movement, phrase, and note. As a finale, the artists will open up a “jam session” — inviting the audience to find the unexpected dancer and musician in each of their souls. Accompanying the evening’s featured music artists will be Adrian Ruiz on piano, Aaron Zachary on bass, Shaun Johnson on trumpet and others.
Location: Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts