Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

There are several performing arts companies I try never to miss when they perform in Chicago and Hubbard St. Dance is one of them. Hubbard St Dance has no problem attracting world class dancers and innovative, talented choreographers. The combination results in energetic best in class performances that both entertain and delight.
I have no idea what the four pieces performed in their «Winter Series» were meant to convey, I rarely do with contemporary dance, but they were sophisticated, captivating and spectacular. Yin Yue, Choreographer for the first piece performed brought us a fresh, complex, beautiful, fluid, high energy, high stamina piece. As difficult as it was for the male dancers to be both graceful, gentle, fluid and strong, which they flawlessly achieved, it was the female lead Natalie Leibert that stunned me with her strong, beautiful and what appears to be effortless performance despite the amazing amount of energy and precision it took to perform. Emile Leriche was equally fabulous in the following work.
The audience, attired in their comfortably laid back urban styled muted grays, blacks and taupy beiges, left both impressed and very satisfied.

I am writing about Hubbard Street Dance in conjunction with Second City Comedy, «The Art of Falling» which is absolutely hilarious. If it comes anywhere near you DON’T MISS IT!!!

Love this studio! Classes are 15 dollars for a drop in, or you can buy a 10 class card and that discounts it a dollar or two a class. The people here are great and non judgemental. Everyone is always excited to make friends and ive yet to come across someone rude at this studio. Coming from the suburbs I have had my fair share of snobby dance studios and drama. This studio has no drama and everything is focused on having fun and improving your dance performance. No matter if you’re a beginner or advanced there are a variety of different classes with instructors that are truly amazing! Everyone should just give this studio a chance! I recommend beginner hip hop with Trey Turner! Good Job Hubbard Street Dance!

Attended the world premier collaboration with Second City. Surprised by the strong classical representation with a contemporary group. I favor the ballet lines, and was very impressed.

Incredibly disappointing experience at the ¹⁰⁄₁₉ show for «America Windows.» Tickets were essentially double booked and HSDC did NOTHING to rectify the situation. I’m still waiting on my refund…
I arrived 30 minutes early, sat down in my seats, and waited for the show to begin. About 5 minutes before curtains, an usher stopped by, asked us to vacate our seats since they were double booked, and advised I speak with someone at the ticket window. At the ticket window, I was told the Harris Theater could do nothing for me since the tickets were bought through Hubbard Street. I was advised to speak with Patron Services, HSDC. At this point, the show had already begun.
When I arrived at the Patron Services desk I met the manager. I made him aware of my situation. Instead of seeming to want to help out, he seemed like he couldn’t be bothered. After five minutes or so, he stated: «Technically, you are the owners of the seat so you have rights to sit there.» This seemed like a strange thing to say since a) the show started and b) other people were given our seats by the usher. He said we could wait and be seated in a little while. This seemed a bit strange, also, since who pays $ 114 for two tickets only to walk in after the show starts? He advised he could change the dates of the performance but why would I get dressed up, pay another $ 30 in parking at the Randolph St. parking garage, and cancel Saturday night plans so I could make up for Hubbard Street’s error? Frustrated, I finally told him to refund me. As of today, the refund still hasn’t been processed. I missed out on seeing the show, I had to pay $ 30 for parking downtown (which I won’t get back), and — worst of all– the tickets were bought as a birthday present for a friend who really wanted to see her first HSDC show. Needless to say, she did not have a happy birthday.
I finally left. Upon leaving, I turned around and told the manager that not once throughout the process did anyone apologize for the error. The usher did not apologize. In fact, he was pretty rude when he told us to «get up and talk to the ticket window.» The ticket agents at the Harris Theater box did not apologize («Go See the Patron Services manager on the first floor. We didn’t book these, Hubbard Street did.»). And, worst: the manager did not apologize. When I told him someone should say sorry, he got upset and said «Um, sorry. It’s not something we did on purpose» in an incredibly sarcastic manner. That comment is not worthy of anyone bearing a name tag that reads «Patron Services.» Someone should have owned the error and made it right.
My friend and I were incredibly upset by the whole experience.

the MOST amazing dance company in the world!

I don’t think I really appreciated the relevance and visceral intensity of modern dance until I saw this company. Since then I have been a subscriber and every experience has been a consummate thrill. Their general approach is athletic and intensely complex interpretations that do not bore, nor do they follow the strictures of classic forms although they refer to and utilize them. I wish they performed twice as much, it is an education on dance; what they do is so striking that the visual and emotional images stay with me for a long time, which has never happened with another dance company for me. Great way to start an exploration into the dance world if you don’t know where to start! Also they sponsor great programs in education and community service, such as the Parkinson’s disease dance class that many of my patients enjoy.

I always have a great time when I go to the hip hop classes at this place. The instructors are awesome and the class is always a ton of fun. In particular, Labake teaches a basic hip-​hop class on Tuesday that is great for people of all levels. His routines are cool enough for people that need a challenge and like a good routine, yet he is so sweet and considerate and breaks it down.
I’ve had some «diva» experiences with some other instructors there (you would think it was an audition), so that’s the only reason for 4 stars opposed to 5. But even the divas give some great routines, so definitely worth checking it out!

Taking in a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is almost a surreal experience. The extremely talented dancers and beautiful choreography always make for a memorable experience. The performances always illicit an emotional response from me… they can be intense, suspenseful, romantic, poignant, whimsical, etc., but they are always memorable and a perfect way to get lost in the moment.

What a fantastic performance by HSDC tonight at the Harris Theater! These dancers are really talented and seemed to bring the stage to life as they pirouetted and rond de jambed all over the stage. Each of the pieces I saw were unique and interesting and took you from dark to light and anger to love. My favorite of the evening was called «Kiss» where the dancers were attached to a rope that added a fluid grace to their movement and really allowed them to bring out the emotions the choreographers had in mind. «Kiss» was meant to symbolize what it feels like to be head over heals in love… sort of how I feel about HSDC right now. I’d gladly see any of their performances any chance I get and I recommend you do the same.

FANTASTIC! ENERGETIC! WHIMSICAL! WONDERFUL!
This was one of the best theater experiences I’ve had. I just went this evening and saw the following performances:
Counter/​Part
Blush
Off Screen (my favorite of the night)
Gimmie
SF/​LB
Each performance was totally unique. There was even hurmor in the ways the dancers interacted with one another and the music.
They used props which added a whimiscal feel.
Until tonight I didn’t even know this theater existed. And I had never ever had the opportunity to see this company perform
If you have not gone, you MUST!. They were truely impressive. I LOVED IT! And you will too.
Now get off the couch, put down the bag of chips and go see them dance! (But be warned, if you are like me, you’ll come home and stand in front of the mirror and dance… but it just won’t look quite right!)
I will absolutely return!!!

GO SEE Hubbard Street Dance Company. Go. Immediately. Go in Chicago or whatever city they are performing in.
Most certainly one of the top 3 modern dance companies in the US. Their technique is impeccable; the quality of movement from the dancers is amazing, as is their technique– a strong ballet foundation perforates through each movement.
Their pieces mean something. Each touches on multiple emotions. You will leave extremely happy. Or if you are a feeler like me, you will walk out balling because what you just experienced was so moving and beautiful.

I see that the other reviews are based on the performence which is amazing but I dance here and would like to share my experience. Amazing place, weather you are a beginner or advance dancer. The instructors are amazing, very detailed, and very professional. You walk in and are greeted by very kind and helpful «secretaries», the way I like to put it. Classes can be large sometimes but you will not feel lost. I know the feeling when you walk into a new studio or another studio, not knowing anybody, and feeling confuse, but here you won’t! There is an age limit which I believe is 14 years of age. Instructors not only teach the class but they spend time with you «one on one», with each dancer throughout the class, helping you out or giving you tips. Over the past months I’ve been dancing there and my dancing skills have skyrocketed! This is a great studio if you would like to have a future dancing career or just want a REALLY good workout. Not only that, but they have many different classes offered which is really nice and for every level. This environment is very friendly, fun, and comfortable. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but it’s TOTALLY worth the money.

The best contemporary company in the city, and one of the best in the country. I love love LOVE HSDC, been a fan of many years. Although most of my favorite dancers have left in the previous years, Cheryl, Franky, and Mossimo — they still have Tobin and Penny.
You MUST go see Hubbard Street perform, they have concerts in the Fall and Spring, and random ones throughout the year. (they also tour.) The performance is bound to inspire and intrigue you.

Only 2 people have reviewed them so far! That means there’s not enough people who have seen their performance! They are so amazing!
If you have any preconceived notion of what a dance performance may be like because you’ve watched Grease, Nutcracker or performed in school musicals, be ready for this company’s performance to break that mold.
I saw their last fall performance on Sunday. Each piece carried the mood by the lighting design, minimal costume and music. The dancers rocked! One piece was a whimsical piece about relationship, one was very free form, one was dramatic and at times breathtaking.
The show was in Harris Theatre, a newer theatre with an intimacy that makes you feel instantly comfortable.
Go see their spring performance in March/​April. You will not regret it.

Finally, I got to see it. It was excellent! Amazing and intriguing, these dancers are unbelievable. I highly recommend seeing the show!

I love this dance company. They combine all different techniques — modern, ballet, jazz… in an array of classical and contemporary repertoire. I love how HSDC’s dancers have more of an athletic aesthetic, instead of the wispy waif-​like dancers of classical ballet. This is one of my fave companies to watch because you get such a broad spectrum of performace… AND, one of my fellow dancers from Hawaii, Charlaine Katsuyoshi, is in the company. I always go just to watch her!