Summer Series
August 2026
Coming up
Brinae Ali performs, photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project: Rhythm World
Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago's International Festival of American Tap celebrates its 36th Anniversary with a week of rhythm bending concerts and classes by three generations of extraordinary artists.
Classes take place at Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building on the 3rd floor in the Annex, Studio 300 at 410 S. Michigan Avenue with concerts at the celebrated Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
photo by: William Frederking.
Michelle Haskell: Empty Are My Hands
Friday and Saturday, August 28 and 29, 2026 at 7:30
A contemporary and tap dance show combining styles to bring communities together!
With live music by Chien-An Yuan to guide, concepts such as childlike wonder, abuse, resilience, sacrifice, and responsibility will be explored throughout.
May 5, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our visionary founder, Shirley Mordine, who led the Dance Center from 1969 until 1999.
Shirley Mordine’s impact on Columbia and the broader dance community is immeasurable. A pioneering force in contemporary dance, her leadership transformed the Dance Center into a nationally recognized institution for dance education, performance, and public engagement.
David Rousseve/REALITY, from Stardust, photo by Yi Chun.
Urban Bush Women in Hep Hep Sweet Sweet, photo by Rick McCullough.
About
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is the city’s leading presenter of contemporary dance – bringing international, national, and local artists to Chicago audiences. The Dance Center has served as a focal point for dance and performance in Chicago since 1974.
Donate
We could not do our work without the generous support of our individual supporters, the Friends of the Dance Center, and institutional funders. Your donation directly supports the artists that we present.
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
from Irene Hsiao’s Merely a Mistake A Score for your Door.
Explore On the Ground, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago’s online publication. With support from The Walder Foundation, it features interviews with Chicago dance artists, checking in on dance communities, sharing work from our virtual residencies with choreographers, and exploring the Dance Center’s video archives.
banner image: from Approval At High Noon by: Kia S. Smith; pictured l to r: Sophia Peck, Diamond Turner, Isabel Bastardo, Adrean Maxwell, Konnie Kakridas, Courtney Cooper, Aly Owens, and Jay Richardson; photo by: William Frederking.
