After a season of art and artifice in dance at Centennial Hall, the emotional floodgates of jazz dance will open when River North Dance Chicago comes leaping onstage Saturday.
"We'll be knocking down that fourth wall," said River North's artistic director, Frank Chaves. "We've always been considered a highly emotional company. We want to feel that energetic connection with the audience.
"We like to say you don't just see River North. You feel River North," Chaves said proudly.
Hedy Weiss, dance critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, also applauds the company's "dance till you drop" approach to performing.
In Chicago, the River North district is noted for its many art galleries and was the company's original home 23 years ago. When the dancers began touring nationally, they added "Chicago" to their name.
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River North's reputation for exceptional technique has been equally well established through its history. Jazz dance may have been the redheaded stepchild of ballet and modern dance in the beginning, but not anymore. River North Dance is one of the reasons.
"Maintaining high standards of performance and choreography is also an important part of our reputation," Chaves continued. "Of course, every dance company wants to evolve, but I've been saying for over 10 years that we are creating a new form of jazz dance."
The University of Arizona's own School of Dance is a part of this jazz dance evolution, too. Michael Gross and Hayley Meier are recent UA dance graduates on tour with the 12-member company.
"We have such a great connection with UA Dance," Chaves said. "In my opinion, they are one of the best in the nation."
Music is important to River North, too. While the company's eclectic repertoire ranges from "fierce to folkloric," as the Washington Post describes it, much of that music is jazz-based. Chaves is proud his company's work embodies a true flavor of Americana. Jazz dance, he says, was also born in America.
"Getting the right music is 50 percent of the battle," adds Chaves, who often describes himself as a "music-first choreographer."
"With the right music, you are halfway there. I can hear a piece of music and I instantly see the movement," said Chaves, who plays sax.
"I used to be a musician. I think that's why."
IF YOU GO
• What: River North Dance Chicago in concert.
• Presented by: UApresents.
• When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd., on the University of Arizona campus.
• Tickets: $18-$38, with discounts available.
• Reservations, information: 621-3341, www.uapresents.org
Chuck Graham has written about Tucson arts for more than 36 years. Read more of his articles at "Let the Show Begin," www.tucsonstage.com
