Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is marking three decades of Black dance in Chicago with a landmark collaboration, a return to one of the city's most storied stages and a new permanent home on the South Side.
The company's 30th anniversary season continues this weekend with a two-night collaboration with the Chicago Sinfonietta -- Thursday at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville and Friday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.
The program, titled "Still I Rise," features the world premiere of "Seventh Sense: Incidents in the Life of Queen Amanirenas for Dance and Orchestra" -- a new commission with music by British composer Dr. Shirley J. Thompson and choreography by artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer.
The program also includes original choreography set to Florence Price's "Dances in the Canebrakes." Price was the first Black woman to have her music performed by a major American orchestra.
The anniversary season closes May 30 with a return to The Auditorium, featuring company premieres and fan favorites.
Off stage, the company is building its future on Chicago's South Side. Construction on the Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities at 5339 S. State St. is slated to begin this year.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater made its public debut in 1996 under founders Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott. For 30 years, the company has drawn on modern, ballet and African dance traditions to bring the work of renowned choreographers to stages in Chicago and beyond.