Give at https://www.cerquarivera.org/2024 D’onmonique Boyd, reviewing our 2023 Spring Concert Series for SeeChicagoDance, captured her experience at a Cerqua Rivera performance: “I departed in a state of euphoria, feeling whole and human, almost child-like as I remembered my love for the magic of rainbows, clouds and the boundlessness of the sky. Cerqua Rivera stunned again” That made us feel so good! Please become a supporter of this kind of art with a gift today. As a contributor you’ll help us bring that feeling to thousands of people this season – hopefully including you!

Learn more and get your tickets https://www.cerquarivera.org/schedule Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre 25th Anniversary Concert Series May 17-19, 2024 Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chicago Celebrating 25 years in 2024, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre’s award-winning art – called “blended magic” by See Chicago Dance and “immersive alchemy” by New City Stage – explores authentic personal stories at the crossroads of heritage, culture, and identity. We are “movers and shakers who dazzled audiences” (Chicago Tribune). Come experience “outstanding choreography deftly executed by this technically superb troupe.” (Splash Magazine)! --------------------------------------- What you'll see: AMERICAN CATRACHO - Wilfredo Rivera's epic semi-autobiographical piece exploring immigration, from displacement & trauma to resilience & hope FROM HERE TO HOME by Katlin Bourgeois and James Sanders - honoring Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood LÁGRIMAS NEGRAS by Wilfredo Rivera - a celebration of Wilfredo's childhood among the Latino diaspora, to the classic bolero-son World premieres inspired by real-life stories from Chicago's west side with original music by James Sanders (Conjunto, Chicago Sinfonietta) TETHER by Katlin Bourgeois (Joffrey Ballet) THE SEA by Shannon Alvis (Hubbard Street Chicago) THE ISLAND by Michelle Manzanales (Ballet Hispanico) --------------------------------------- All concerts approximately 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Learn more and get your tickets https://www.cerquarivera.org/schedule Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre 25th Anniversary Concert Series May 17-19, 2024 Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chicago Celebrating 25 years in 2024, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre’s award-winning art – called “blended magic” by See Chicago Dance and “immersive alchemy” by New City Stage – explores authentic personal stories at the crossroads of heritage, culture, and identity. We are “movers and shakers who dazzled audiences” (Chicago Tribune). Come experience “outstanding choreography deftly executed by this technically superb troupe.” (Splash Magazine)! --------------------------------------- What you'll see: AMERICAN CATRACHO - Wilfredo Rivera's epic semi-autobiographical piece exploring immigration, from displacement & trauma to resilience & hope FROM HERE TO HOME by Katlin Bourgeois and James Sanders - honoring Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood LÁGRIMAS NEGRAS by Wilfredo Rivera - a celebration of Wilfredo's childhood among the Latino diaspora, to the classic bolero-son World premieres inspired by real-life stories from Chicago's west side with original music by James Sanders (Conjunto, Chicago Sinfonietta) TETHER by Katlin Bourgeois (Joffrey Ballet) THE SEA by Shannon Alvis (Hubbard Street Chicago) THE ISLAND by Michelle Manzanales (Ballet Hispanico) --------------------------------------- All concerts approximately 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Fall 2023, clips of the company in recent performances with voice over comments from audience members, company Cofounders Joe Cerqua and Wilfredo Rivera

With an intense focus on personal narratives, the combined talents of our diverse collective of artists, and the multiple artistic languages with which we communicate, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre engages audiences in magnetic human stories at once new & deeply familiar. In our art & our artists, we are proudly & visibly multicultural, exploring the intersection of heritage, culture, and identity. Booking inquiries: https://www.cerquarivera.org/touring-and-education Upcoming appearances and programs: https://www.cerquarivera.org/schedule Contact: info@cerquarivera.org

This video includes highlights from the three new works made in 2019 – our 20th Anniversary Season. There are samples of both the work in full production concert performances, as well as excerpts from our interactive Inside/Out series. (Each new piece was the subject of an Inside/Out event, where the work in progress is performed and discussed, usually also featuring audience participation and company improvisation.) ROOT by Monique Haley and Joe Cerqua – An athletic, soulful piece exploring a modern identity rooted in African tradition. Haley drew on West African maxims from a book entitled African Cultural Values: An Introduction by Kwame Gyekye. Building on this foundation with Cerqua Rivera’s artists over two years led to a powerfully rooted piece of art. American Catracho by Wilfredo Rivera and Joe Cerqua - The culmination a three-year exploration of immigration led by Cofounder and Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera involving over three dozen artists and hundreds of audience members – “a tour de force” (Chicago Magazine) and “easily [Wilfredo’s] most promising work” (Chicago Tribune). Inspired by Rivera’s own personal journey, the four-part suite moves through themes of dislocation, assimilation, renewal, and hope. A Place Between Earth and Sky by Shannon Alvis and Clarice Assad – A lyrical, sensual work from inspired by a Blackfeet legend. Place is layered and symbolic of several ideas. Infused with inspiration from a Blackfoot Star Myth, the piece is structured in sections as different times of the day. This is then paralleled to that of a lifetime, and then also to an ever-circling evolution of self. We welcome you to view this entire 5-minute compilation of highlights from 2019. If you prefer to skip through, here are the segments: 0:00 ROOT in concert at Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, fall 2019; Concert title America / Americans 0:32 ROOT in concert at Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, fall 2019; Concert title America / Americans 1:19 Inside/Out with American Catracho at Studio5 Performing Arts Center, June 2019; audience participation 2:31 American Catracho in concert at Studio5 Performing Arts Center, September 2019; Concert title America / Americans 3:11 American Catracho in concert at Studio5 Performing Arts Center and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, September & October 2019; Concert title America / Americans 3:47 Inside/Out with Place Between Earth & Sky at Dovetail Studios, August 2019, discussion between choreographer Shannon Alvis and audience 4:20 Place Between Earth & Sky in concert at Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, fall 2019; Concert title America / Americans

American Catracho (2019) The American Catracho suite is the culmination of a three-year exploration of immigration (2016-2018) that involved over three dozen artists and other collaborators, including hundreds of audience members. Inspired by CRDT Co-founder and Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera’s own personal journey, the four-part piece moves through themes of dislocation, assimilation, renewal, and hope. Part I Memories Behind The Crossing Part II First 200 Feet Part III Mi America Part IV Land of Dreams Creator and Director: Wilfredo Rivera Original Music: Joe Cerqua, with introduction by James Sanders and “Fijate Bien” arranged by Stu Greenspan Additional Choreography: Noelle Kayser, Christian Denice Costume Design: Jordan Ross Lighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg Projection Design: Simean Carpenter Other Collaborators: Lewis Achenbach (painter), Charin Alvarez (actor), Laura Crotte (actor), Julian Hester (actor), Cecilie Keenan (theatre artist), Ethan Kirschbaum (movement consultant), Shawn Lent (dance educator and immigration activist), Kristi Licera (movement consultant), Dr. Daniel Michaud-Novak (psychologist), Myesha-Tiara (actor) Creation of American Catracho Sponsored by The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, The Saints

Highlights from American Catracho by Wilfredo Rivera

Artist pay is two-thirds of Cerqua Rivera’s expenses and individual donations pay for most of that. We need your help to continue making and sharing our unique brand of sophisticated, compelling art. Give at www.cerquarivera.org/donate