Dance For Life: Galas Galore

Chicago Dance Health Fund, which provides financial relief for preventative healthcare and critical medical needs of Chicago dance industry professionals, welcomed nearly 1,700 people to The Auditorium for its primary annual fundraiser Dance for Life on its 35th Anniversary. More than 650 guests attended the After Party Gala, and 250 guests attended the preshow Anniversary Gala Dinner, both at Venue SIX10. From a combination of ticket sales, contributions, and sponsorships, Dance for Life raised more than $535,000—with post-event donations continuing to come in—to support the Fund.

Dance for Life 35th Anniversary Honorary Co-Chairs were Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Josephine Giannoulias. Co-Chairs were Sherry Zunker and Esther Jeles, and Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson.

For this special anniversary performance, the lineup included prominent Chicago dance companies and celebrated Chicago choreographers: Ballet 5:8, Chicago Dance Crash, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Visceral Dance Chicago. Closing the program’s first act was Red, Black & White choreographed by Jeremy Plummer and Harrison McEldowney, a returning work featuring dancers from throughout the Chicago community.

Choreographer Randy Duncan created Renewed, a world premiere finale set to music by Ira Antelis with Chicago-area dancers from the participating companies and beyond, as he has for most of the past 35 years. Chicago Dance Health Fund honored Duncan at this event for his contributions.

Throughout its history, Dance for Life has raised more than $8 million and presented more than 50 Chicago-based professional dance companies representing a range of dance genres, companies of different sizes and histories, and numerous choreographers, artists and designers in a one-night-only magical evening. The AIDS Foundation Chicago is an additional beneficiary of Dance for Life.

Among the special announcements of the evening was the establishment of the Chicago Dance Health Legacy Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, created to ensure long-term, reliable support for the health and well-being of Chicago dance professionals. The endowment preserves The Fund’s founding vision—providing perpetual care and stability for generations of dance professionals.

Dance for Life 2027 takes place August 21 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

For more information, contact Michael@cdhf.org.