Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, which has been in residence at Northeastern Illinois University for more than 40 years, will participate in four performances during the Third Annual Stomping Grounds series.
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), in collaboration with Ensemble Español, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and Trinity Irish Dance Company, spotlights Chicago’s exceptionally diverse percussive dance community with the free citywide series of community performances and education programs that run April 3 through June 2.
Ensemble Español will participate in four performances, beginning April 15 at the DuSable Museum of African American History and culminating with the Grand Finale on June 2 at Studebaker Theater:
- April 15, 7:30 p.m., DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place: Muntu Dance Theatre, host company; Chicago Human Rhythm Project, featured company; Ensemble Español, guest company
- April 29, 7:30 p.m., Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Avenue: Trinity Irish Dance, host company; Chicago Human Rhythm Project, featured company; Ensemble Español, guest company
- May 24, 6 p.m., Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue—celebrating National Tap Dance Day (May 25): Ensemble Español, host company; Chicago Human Rhythm Project, featured company; Mexican Folkloric Dance, guest company
- Grand Finale: June 2, 7:30 p.m., Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Avenue: As the culminating event of Stomping Grounds, Ensemble Español, Mexican Folkloric Dance, Muntu Dance Theatre and Trinity Irish Dance present an evening of mixed repertory including new and existing works.
As the premier center for Spanish dance and music at a university, Ensemble Español preserves, presents and promotes the Flamenco, folkloric, classical and contemporary dance and music traditions of Spain.
Ensemble Español recently was awarded a major Growth Grant by Caerus Foundation, Inc. that will help the dance company expand its arts education programs and transition to a full-time professional company over the next three to five years. The grant has the potential to raise $1.5 million through a matching campaign over the next three years, and the NEIU Foundation has created a website for contributions to the matching effort.
