Luna Negra Dance Theater Explained

Luna Negra Dance Theater was a dance ensemble that celebrated the richness and diversity of Latino culture through the creation of works by contemporary Latino choreographers.

Company

Founded by Cuban-born dancer and choreographer Eduardo Vilaro,[1] the company steered away from folkloric representations and utilized a variety of dance form styles such as Flamenco, Tango, or Salsa with contemporary dance movement.[2]

Luna Negra made its home in Chicago at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, and toured nationally and internationally.[2] [3] It focused on the work of Latin choreographers such as Ron DeJesus, Vicente Nebrada, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.[4] [5] The company performed in Chicago at Ravinia Festival, The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Symphony Center, The Dance Center of Columbia College, Dance Chicago, the Ruth Page Dance Series locally and had toured nationally and internationally to places such as Spain, Panama, and Mexico.[5] The dance ensemble made its New York City debut at the New Victory Theater in January 2008.[3] [4] [6] In the community, Luna Negra offered intensive, hands-on education programs that encouraged discovery and exploration of personal and community identity .

When the Harris Theater opened in 2003, it provided an aspiration for small dance companies such as Luna Negra.[7] Luna Negra quickly achieved its goal of performing there,[8] [9] and it celebrated its tenth season at the Harris Theater in September 2008.[10] In past seasons, it cohabitated with the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Concert Dance Inc. at Ravinia Festival.[11] [12] The company also performed on the schedule at Ravinia without these other Chicago dance companies.[13] [14] In its summer 2008 season, Luna Negra was the opening performance for Ravinia Festival.[15]

In 2010, Luna Negra welcomed Gustavo Ramirez Sansano as its second artistic director in the company's history. Under Mr. Ramirez's leadership, Luna Negra continued to soar with works that challenged cultural representations and developed new possibilities for the company.[16]

Closure

In 2013, Luna Negra ceased operations due to financial stress.[17] [18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chicago Dance History Project - Eduardo Vilaro . 2022-07-11 . chidancehistory . en.
  2. Web site: Luna Negra Dance Theater . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726142035/https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/current/companies/158 . July 26, 2011 . August 29, 2008 . Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
  3. Web site: All-hispanic Luna Negra dance company debuts in New York . August 29, 2008. January 21, 2008. NYDailyNews.com. New York Daily News. Simián, José Manuel.
  4. Web site: Kourlas, Gia . January 28, 2008 . Seeking Raw Beauty in Fluid Movement . August 29, 2008 . The New York Times.
  5. Web site: About Luna Negra . August 29, 2008 . Luna Negra Dance Theater . https://web.archive.org/web/20080610164046/http://lunanegra.org/about.htm . June 10, 2008 . dead .
  6. Web site: Dance Listings. August 29, 2008. January 25, 2008. The New York Times.
  7. Web site: The Harris Theater is ready, but can dancers afford rent?. August 29, 2008. November 2, 2003. Newsbank. Chicago Tribune. Smith, Sid.
  8. Web site: Dance companies premiere new works. August 29, 2008. November 10, 2006. Newsbank. Daily Herald. Vitello, Barbara.
  9. Web site: On the Latin beat - Vilaro's dance piece celebrates mambo pioneer. August 29, 2008. November 2, 2003. Newsbank. Chicago Sun-Times. Weiss, Hedy.
  10. LUNA NEGRA DANCE THEATER LAUNCHES ITS 10th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH "CICLOS," A PROGRAM FEATURING TWO WORLD PREMIERES AND A WORK TO MARK THE JOSÉ LIMÓN CENTENNIAL. August 19, 2008. Silverman Group. Malik, Farrah . Eric Eatherly . amp .
  11. Web site: From Salsa to Ballet and Beyond. August 29, 2008. May 14, 2006. The New York Times. Dunning, Jennifer.
  12. Web site: SUMMER FESTIVALS: DANCE; Guess What: Even More Balanchine . August 29, 2008. May 2, 2004. The New York Times. Dunning, Jennifer.
  13. Web site: Andries, Dorothy . March 10, 2005 . Mahler, Mozart and more - Ravinia Festival announces summer classical music schedule . https://archive.today/20120708033631/http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%20110D9D1226854460%20)&p_docid=110D9D1226854460&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=110D9D1226854460&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=K48A48KAMTM0MTcxODU3Ni44ODE3MzY6MTo3OnJmLTg3MjU&&p_multi=DERB . 8 Jul 2012 . August 29, 2008 . Deerfield Review . NewsBank.
  14. Web site: Up on the Toes or Down Barefoot. August 29, 2008. May 1, 2005. The New York Times. Dunning, Jennifer.
  15. Web site: SUMMER STAGES; Summer Stages. August 29, 2008. May 11, 2008. The New York Times. Dunning, Jennifer.
  16. Web site: Smith . Sid . December 27, 2012 . Director Gustavo Ramirez Sansano's risks pay off for Luna Negra . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045314/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-27/entertainment/ct-ae-1230-coty-dance-20121227_1_carmen-maquia-eduardo-zuniga-director-gustavo-ramirez-sansano . March 4, 2016 . Chicago Tribune.
  17. Web site: May 15, 2013 . Luna Negra Dance Theater bites the dust . https://web.archive.org/web/20140118204340/http://www.timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/chicago-blog/16239396/luna-negra-dance-theater-bites-the-dust . January 18, 2014 . Time Out Chicago.
  18. Web site: May 14, 2013 . Luna Negra Dance Theater shutting down . Chicago Tribune.

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