Displaying items by tag: Chciago events

Coincidentally (or not), Victory Gardens’ new play about a controversial campus speaker opens just days after the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Returning from a lengthy hiatus, Victory Gardens once again lights up the Biograph Theater with the world premiere of Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s new play “The Humanities”.

This thrilling play takes place on an American college campus where an opinionated voice is scheduled to speak. At the top level, an intellectual battle brews between professors and the college administration, while the students openly revolt.

Jonas (Ernest Bently) is a new professor on campus, hand selected by the department chair Martin (Steve Pickering) and his professor wife Margot (Naomi Evans). Jonas is young and ambitious, unwilling to get involved in the petty troubles of students and faculty. Martin and Naomi have other ideas. When Martin invites Luka (Daniil Krimer), an ultra-right-wing speaker on campus he kicks off a series of events that could lead the college, and Jonas, to ruin.

Carole (Sabine Wan) straddles the line between education and commerce as the dean while trying to appease the students and queer professor Milta (Isa Arciniegas). On the ground, students Hampton (Derrick Sanders III) and Xander (Piper Murphy) are taking action into their own hands.

Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s script is densely packed, structured in parts much like a college lecture. Each professor has their own somewhat incomprehensible monolog that speaks to how people can say so little with so many words. That’s not to say these passages are empty, and that’s the point. What college student could actually follow these verbal gymnastics though? Perhaps these speeches say more about how some educators are afraid to share their real opinion. Afterall, feelings aren’t facts.

“The Humanities” is a riveting exploration of the cost of free speech. Of course, our first amendment protects it, but it doesn’t account for good taste. Luka is played so smooth and charmingly by Daniil Krimer that you almost forget he’s a neo-Nazi, until he starts his speech. And that’s the unsettling part; under the law he’s just as entitled to hate speech as to tolerance messaging. And that those who criticize him in this play aren’t exactly perfect themselves.

Dohrn paints a rather cynical portrait of higher education, but in other ways he has a lot of faith in youth. Without the radical intentions of Xander and Hampton, there would be no point in rehashing the systematic problems of American academic institutions. In many ways it’s what makes this play so unique.

For those wondering if Victory Gardens has been restored to its former glory under new leadership, “The Humanities” proves they’ve still got it. Edward Torres directs a great cast. While originally billed as starring SNL alum Nora Dunn, British American actress Naomi Evans seems better fit for the role. She has a sleekness about her that makes some of the sexual plotlines a bit more palatable. Steve Pickering embodies that stodgy professor in this era almost as pitifully as Albee’s George was to the 1960s. There’s a certain tragedy in his performance.

While maybe a bit of trimming could help file this play down to a finer point, Victory Gardens choosing Dohrn’s script as their season opener is a brave choice. Almost an admission of self-awareness in an ever-dividing world in which institutions are no longer held on the same pedestals.

Through October 4 at Victory Gardens Theater. 2433 N Lincoln Ave. (773) 871-3000)

M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, is proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary at the Chicago Tap Summit, October 2 - 4, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance). The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year follows M.A.D.D. Rhythms Day in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 1. This Anniversary Summit includes three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community with tours and panels as well as the premiere of works from company Co-Founder Bril Barrett, who has been named to Newcity’s Players 50 Hall of Fame (2026) and received “The Hoofer Award” from Tap City in 2025, as well as a premiere from Co-Founder Martin “Tré” Dumas III. Additionally, a screening of “Beyond a Shuffle,” a new documentary about M.A.D.D. Rhythms will be shown. For information on the Chicago Tap Summit and the other events go to MADDRhythms.com. 

Chicago Tap Summit

October 2 - 4

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)

The 2026 Chicago Tap Summit welcomes participants from Chicago and around the world for three days of dance, discussion and classes celebrating the tap dance community with instructors Maud Arnold, Bril Barrett, Ian Berg, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Ja’bowen Dixon, Star Dixon, Martin “Tré” Dumas III, Izaiah Harris, Caleb Jackson, Donnetta Jackson, Lisa LaTouche, KJ Sheldon and Mr. Taps.

Friday, Oct. 2

Classes on Friday, Oct. 2, the first day of the Summit includes a three-hour residency with Andrew Carr. Carr will teach participants dances from his show “To Love You Always.” Also, available is Caleb Jackson’s three-hour residency sharing with attendees dances from his show “Wonder.” Both performers from these residencies will participate in Sunday night’s closing ceremony and film screening at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. 

In addition, the Cultural Center will include a “Room Full of History,” Reggio’s traveling museum. The day will conclude with a welcome party for all. 

Saturday, Oct. 3

Saturday’s classes include a panel on the history of M.A.D.D. Rhythms from its P.O.V. and an evening of performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

The performances include two world premieres from the two founders of M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin,” a vibrant tap production using dancers' feet as percussion to reimagine Oscar Peterson's George Gershwin album and Martin “Tré” Dumas III’’s “My Personal Stash,” a work that honors his father, Martin Dumas Jr., by transforming Rasputin Stash's soul/funk grooves into a vibrant tap percussive experience. 

Tickets and registration available at MADDRhythms.com.    

Sunday, Oct. 4

The Summit concludes with classes and the premiere of the documentary, “Beyond A Shuffle,” by Nora Clark, sharing the history of M.A.D.D. Rhythms and includes live performances from the Friday’s intensive classes. “Alienworx’ VP,”  Nora Clark’s first original work, this documentary is a collaboration with her 501(c)3 non-profit, Tap That Brass and is currently fundraising to complete production of this new piece on the M.A.D.D. Rhythms company. 

“Beyond A Shuffle” is about Bril Barrett, who started M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms as a way to lead a life of example for his younger siblings, as well as give back to the youth of Chicago. Barrett wanted to create a company whose model was one of respect for the art and history of tap dance and whose permanence would create stability for its members. 

More than two decades later, M.A.D.D. Rhythms has since touched the lives of thousands of dancers and young people, whether they were pursuing the incredible training of being a company member, needed a positive alternative to the streets of Chicago or just as an outlet to express themselves or improve their quality of life. For more information, please visit TapThatBrass.org. 

MORE FROM M.A.D.D RHYTHMS

New Logo

Marking the Company’s 25th Anniversary, a new logo, designed by Steven Bertrand has been created. The new logo celebrates the history and growth of the company by including the variety of performers that make up M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ key mission goals.

Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project 

Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph 

More information: HarrisTheaterChicago.org

Building on last year’s sold-out engagement, Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) returns to the Harris stage for their annual cohort performance, featuring ten of Chicago’s most exciting companies including M.A.D.D. Rhythms. With diverse artistic genres including African, contemporary, jazz, tap and many more, this performance honors Chicago’s Black cultural, social, political and artistic architects through movement, imagination and lineage.

The program, Dancing the Archive: Embodied Histories, Collective Power, realizes a living, embodied archive — honoring Chicago’s Black cultural, social, political and artistic architects through movement, imagination and lineage rather than literal representation. 

DC Tap Fest

September 4 - 7

The Westin DC City Center, 1400 M St. NW, Washington, DC

More information: DCTapFest.com 

M.A.D.D. Rhythms will travel to DC to participate in the largest tap festival in the world, attending master classes, dance battles and uniting with tap dancers from all over the world.

36th Annual Africa Festival of the Arts

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.

Washington Park Sunken Garden, 55th Street and Cottage Grove Ave.

More information: AIHusa.org

M.A.D.D. Rhythms performs Saturday night of the Africa Festival of the Arts, one of the nation's premier celebrations of African and African Diaspora culture taking place Labor Day weekend.

Chicago Jazz Fest

Sunday, Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Von Freeman Pavilion Stage at Millennium Park, 201 N. Randolph St. 

More information: Chicago.gov 

M.A.D.D. Rhythms makes its Chicago Jazz Fest debut at this year’s Annual Jazz Fest in Millennium Park on the final day of the festival, Sunday, Sept. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

20th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest

September 26 - 27

Pickens Stage, Midway Plaisance at S. Ellis Ave.

More information: HydeParkJazzFestival.org 

On the final day of the festival, Sunday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 6 p.m., the Hyde Park Jazz Fest will present “M.A.D.D. Vibes: Thaddeus Tukes Quintet” in collaboration with M.A.D.D Rhythms, performing excerpts of “WONDER.”

Inaugural Gala

Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Harold Washington Cultural Center, Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)

More information: MADDRhythms.com

M.A.D.D. Rhythms hosts its first gala in the organization's history. The evening event will include dinner, presentations and an auction. 

Chicago Tap Allstar’s Winter Wonderland 

Saturday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m.

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King Dr.

More information: ChicagoTapAllstars.com 

M.A.D.D Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre collaborate as the Chicago Tap Allstars in the annual “Winter Wonderland,” showcasing festive holiday jazz music and performance. This year, in addition to the holiday performances and special guests, M.A.D.D. Rhythms will perform excerpts from Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin.”

Winter Wonderfest

Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. 

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King 

More information TBA

M.A.D.D. Rhythms joins Art Partners-in-Residence of the Harold Washington Cultural Center for a holiday celebration including vendors, events and performances. 

ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS

M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, now in its 25th year, is a phenomenal tap dance collective whose “SOLE” purpose is to spread the love and joy of tap worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III’s formula for giving back, is a full-fledged 501 (c) 3 performing arts company, quickly gaining a reputation for representing the true essence of tap: RHYTHM! The company is composed of young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago. Their ages range from 17 to 48 years old, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. The one thing they all have in common is a love for “the dance.”

M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. They teach its history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms use this beautiful dance/music form to make a difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. Believing that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life, M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as they humanly can!

M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance opportunities, in short, have included: Dance Africa Chicago, Dance Chicago, The Stars of “Dance Chicago” in Istanbul, Turkey, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada’s “Release Yourself” and “Great Feets of Rhythm,” Downbeats Canada’s “Embrace the Rhythm,” Miami’s Art-Deco Festival, An Expo for Today’s Black Woman, Kwanzaa Festival, The African Festival of the Arts, St. Louis Tap Festival, Boys and Girls Clubs National Conference, the Chicago Historical Society’s Summer Performance Series, performances at Auditorium Theatre with Trinity Dance and DuSable Museum’s educational theater series. They have also produced 11 full-length productions, created the annual Chicago Tap Summit and educated more than 200 students via The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.

In an effort to continuously give back to their communities, they have also worked with many public and private schools and volunteered performances for various community affiliated organizations including A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Nikola Tesla Alternative High School for Girls, TCA Health and Nutrition Fair, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Rainbow House.