Chicago Dance History Project

06/02/2026

Happy Chicago Dance Month! CDHP is joining in on the fun - celebrating the 13th annual Chicago Dance Month with memories from our archives that have taken place over the years in June!

On June 7, 2005 Luna Negra Dance Theater premiered a new work by Founder Eduardo Vilaro entitled “Don Quixote Dances” at the Ravinia Festival. Founded in 1999, Luna Negra Dance Theater celebrated the richness and diversity of Latino culture through the creation of works by contemporary Latino choreographers. When the Harris Theater was established, the company became one of their first resident dance companies and performed regularly at the Ravinia Festival.

Photographer: Cheryl Mann
Dancer: Vanessa Valecillos
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05/29/2026

Do you have your appointment for CDHP’s Preservation Station?

Gather your VHS tapes, make an appointment, and come to our office in the Monadnock Building for FREE use of previewing and digitizing equipment. CDHP staff will be on hand to assist.

History. You Make It. We Record It.

To learn more about the Preservation Station and to book an appointment, please click the link below!
https://campsite.bio/preservationstation
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05/25/2026

Happy National Tap Dance Day!

National Tap Dance Day came to fruition on February 7, 1989. The day May 25th was chosen to honor Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a Vaudeville icon who contributed greatly to the technique and style of tap dance.

On March 3, 2025 CDHP had the pleasure of recording the TRAX post-screening Q&A at FACETS Film Forum. TRAX, a film created by Lisa La Touche, tells the story of a tap dancer returning from Harlem to her home province of Alberta, Canada. She discovers unknown Tap Dance ancestors which sends her on a journey exploring the Borderless Black History unimaginable right underneath her feet. In this excerpt, La Touche details her journey to Chicago which was heavily influenced by Bril Barrett.

Want to watch the rest of the Q&A? Click the link below.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/panel-discussions-1/trax%3A-post-screening-talkback-with-lisa-la-touche
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Lisa La Touche, Dancer, Choreographer, and Filmmaker, details her journey to Chicago which was heavily influenced by Bril Barrett.Executive Director: Michael...

05/21/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community. Next we have Ruth Ann Koesun, former principal at American Ballet Theatre!

In this short excerpt from her Oral History Interview, Ruth Ann Koesun talks about her family's connection to Chicago and her father's ultimatum that she had one year in New York after high school in which to join a ballet company.

Want to watch more of Koesun’s Oral History Interview? Click the link below.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/ruth-ann-koesun
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Ruth Ann Koesun, former principal with American Ballet Theatre, talks about her family's connection to Chicago and her father's ultimatum that she had one year in New York after high school in which to join a ballet company. Artistic/Executive Director: Jenai Cutcher Interviewer: Jenai Cutcher Digit...

05/19/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community. Next we have former Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo dancer, Sono Osato!

In this short excerpt from her Oral History Interview, Sono Osato shares that she never thought she would be dancing professionally, but she remembers being inspired by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo when she was young.

Want to watch more of Osato’s Oral History Interview? Click the link below.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/sono-osato
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Sono Osato never thought she would be dancing professionally, but she remembers being inspired by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo when she was young. Artistic/Executive Director: Jenai Cutcher Interviewer: Jenai Cutcher Digital Media Production: Sean Rafferty

05/14/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community. Next we have Yoshinojo Fujima, also known as Rika Lin, and Fujima Shunojo!

In this short clip from their joint Oral History Interview, Shunojo Fujima and Yoshinojo Fujima, Grandmasters of Fujima Ryu of Chicago, explain why it is important to "never take your eyes off the teacher" and how some students are offended by this.

Want to watch more of the Grandmaster’s Oral History Interview? Click the link below.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/shunojo-fujima
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/rika-lin
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Shunojo Fujima and Yoshinojo Fujima, Grandmasters of Fujima Ryu of Chicago, explain why it is important to "never take your eyes off the teacher" and how some students are offended by this. Artistic/Executive Director: Jenai Cutcher Interviewer: Jenai Cutcher Digital Media Production: Sean Rafferty

05/12/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community.

We were incredibly grateful to have been able to interview Fujima Shunojo before his passing. He will be remembered for his work and dedication to continuing the legacy of Shubukai in Chicago. Stay tuned on Thursday for an excerpt of his joint interview with Rika Lin.

Video Details: Grandmaster Fujima Shunojo performing at Links Hall, 1990.
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Links Hall, 1990. *From the CDHP Digitizing Dance Project

05/11/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community. Second, we have Ayako Kato, a contemporary choreographer and dancer!

During our Archive Dive Program, Kato shared this excerpt of her work “To the Shore: EHOS Episode 1” which premiered as part of Pivot Arts Festival 2019. The work is described as “... an intimate and one of a kind experience…generous and full of heart.”

Want to learn more about Kato and her work? Check out her full interview on our website.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/ayako-kato
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This is "Ayako Kato: To the Shore-ETHOS I" by Chicago Dance History Project on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/05/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. During this month we reflect on and celebrate the rich culture of these dance artists within our community. First we have Julie Nakagawa, Co-founder and Artistic Director of DanceWorks Chicago!

From Associate Director of Lou Conte Dance Studio to Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 2 to celebrating 18 seasons of DanceWorks Chicago, Julie Nakagawa stays busy in the Chicago Dance community! In this short clip, Nakagawa chats with Melissa Thodos, her former New Dances Co-Director, about how DanceWorks Chicago first became involved with New Dances with their final show together on the horizon.

Want to watch more of Nakagawa’s Oral History Interview? Click the link below.
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/interviewees/julie-nakagawa
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Julie Nakagawa: Joining New Dances

05/01/2026

New to the Chicago Dance History Project website this month!

Arts on Equality: Cuban Choreographers (2018)
Black Dancemakers Panel (2025)
Joel Hall Master Class and Discussion (2019)
Paul Sanasardo Lecture and Demonstration (2018)
Red Clay Dance Company Post-Performance Q&A (2025)
Sybil Shearer: Maverick of the Past, Muse of the Present (2015)

Which one are you most excited to watch?

Click the link below to view these compelling Panel Discussions!
https://www.chicagodancehistory.org/panel-discussions
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