| Chicago Summer Dance |
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| Chicago Summer Dance Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park 601 S. Michigan Ave., between Harrison and Balbo, across from Columbia College FREE Organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the 11-week festival features one-hour dance lessons, followed by two hours of live music and dancing, Thursdays - Saturdays from 6 - 9:30pm and Sundays from 4 - 7pm, weather-permitting. Last year marked the expansion of Chicago SummerDance with the addition of the DJ Series. This successful evening will continue to highlight local and international DJs spinning three hours of various styles of electronic dance music Wednesday evenings from 6-9pm. Unlike the other nights of the Chicago SummerDance program, there will be no dance lessons offered on Wednesdays. The festival is grouped into themes featuring the DJ Series and electronic dance music on Wednesdays, world music ensembles on Thursdays, “popular nights” featuring jazz, Latin, country and funk on Fridays and Saturdays, and ballroom on Sundays. Chicago SummerDance features an eclectic and international selection of dance instruction and live music. Some of Chicago's hottest big bands as well as visiting musicians will keep audiences moving to the popular standards of Latin, ballroom, big band and swing, as well as a wide variety of other dance styles, on a 3,500 square foot open-air dance floor. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the SummerDance Grill and seating is available. Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive more information on Chicago events and activities, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by visiting www. 877chicago.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-CHICAGO (1-877-244-2246). |