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Modern & Contemporary Spotlight – October 19th, 2025
at Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Sunday, October 19th, 2025
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
1016 N Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610
Experience the vibrant tapestry of contemporary/modern dance in an unforgettable evening showcasing seven distinguished dance groups. From moving contemporary modern pieces with Latino influence to a taste of Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Mexico, the final night of the 3rd annual Chicago Latino Dance Festival celebrates the diverse Latin voices in all corners of Chicago’s dance community.
Identity Performing Arts
Representing: Modern Latino
Identity Performing Arts aims to connect, create, and affirm within our community through the power of dance. Their mission is centered around choreographing works that explore universal societal issues, reflecting the values and diversity of their vibrant community. Identity strives to uplift voices from different cultural, spiritual, and economic backgrounds in a shared space built upon care and understanding. “Entwined” is a duet featuring Latino company members Josephine Castillo and Mark Gonzalez. This piece draws inspiration from Identity’s artistic director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo’s travels to Argentina, where she was captivated by the country’s Tango culture. The choreographed dance embodies the intense connection and contemporary essence of Tango. Ginny has also led the company on international and national tours, and Identity has also received wonderful reviews from See Chicago Dance and Buzz Center Stage for their Chicago performances.
Ballet 5:8 Second Company
Representing: Modern Latino • Ballet 5:8’s Second Company is comprised of talented early-career professionals from across the United States. Their artists are committed to bold, accessible storytelling through dance. Thirty-five percent of the dancers identify as ALAANA artists, representing Ballet 5:8’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices in the ballet field. They will be performing ROOTED YET RESTLESS, an excerpt from Ballet 5:8’s The House on Mango Street Ballet, choreographed by Julianna Rubio Slager, a Chicana artist whose lived experience brings depth and authenticity to Sandra Cisneros’ beloved coming-of-age novel. Told through bilingual narration and movement, the work follows Esperanza as she struggles between the weight of her roots and the longing to define her own path. The production is part of Ballet 5:8’s NEA Big Read Grant, which brings bilingual performances, workshops, and community events to schools and libraries across Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Boykin Dance Project
Representing: Modern Latino
Boykin Dance Project is a platform for choreographic inquiry and self-expression. As an incubator for artistic thought, Boykin Dance supports artists in developing work that resonates—through live performance, education, and meaningful community engagement. Founded by Brian Josiah Martinez in 2022, Boykin serves as a platform for new and seasoned choreographers alike, assembling shows with intention, clarity, and balance. Boykin Dance believes that thoughtful curation is an art form in itself—one that can amplify meaning, foster connection, and leave a lasting impression. They will be performing While We Wait Here, choreographed by Justin Rappaport. Justin is a freelance dance artist, choreographer and stager who enjoys collaborating and creating with like-minded artists and individuals. Most recently, he has worked with Anne Plamondon, PARA.MAR Dance Theater, Rachel Meyer, Zoe|Juniper, Joshua Beamish/MoveTheCompany and Alejandro Cerrudo and Artists.
Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program
Representing: Modern Latino
Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program (PDTP) created by Victor Alexander in 2018, serves as a bridge between studio training and a professional dance career. Dancers train and rehearse daily throughout the school year focusing on refining ballet and contemporary technique in an international environment of performers, educators, and mentors. This program is designed for dancers between the ages of 17-25 who have completed high school and are preparing for a professional career.
Los Pleneros de Don Segundo (SRBCC)
Representing: Puerto Rico • Born at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC), Los Pleneros de Don Segundo have been performing original plena music in Chicago since 2016. They have become one of the city’s most sought-after Afro-Puerto Rican folkloric groups, known for their commitment to advancing the genre with regular collaborations with master folklorists from the island, including Leró Martínez, Beto Torrens, Plena Libre, Erik Noel Rosado, Joe Medina and Adriana Santoni. In recent years, Los Pleneros have incorporated bomba into their repertoire, allowing them to adapt to various performance formats. Tonight’s performance will feature the company dancers supported by live musicians.
Andrés Valbuena
Representing: Colómbia • Andrés Valbuena, a professional Latin rhythm dancer, is a deaf performer who believes that by demonstrating his talent through dance, he can motivate many deaf and hard of hearing people to achieve what they set out to do, to know that there are no limits to dreaming, and that physical limitations will never be mental limitations. He has been dancing for more than eleven years representing his native country Colombia in different international congresses in countries such as Spain, France, Switzerland and the United States; participating in world competitions, receiving champion and runner-up titles in different categories of salsa and bachata. He currently lives in the city of Chicago and actively participates in artistic events, feeding his passion for dance and art, performing shows as a couple and soloist, in order to show and share his love for Latin dance.
Ballet Folklórico Sones Mexicanos
Representing: México
Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos was founded in 2011 in Chicago, Illinois by Director Claudia Alejandra Gutierrez. Sones Mexicanos is a group dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Mexican folk dance. Throughout its history, the group has proudly represented the diverse regions of Mexico internationally through choreographies that highlight the cultural richness, colors, music, and traditions that identify us. With each presentation, Sones Mexicanos has sought not only to offer an artistic spectacle, but also to convey the feelings of the Mexican community, giving life to sones, zapateados, and various dances. The group has established itself as a space for training and development for young dancers where discipline, teamwork, and love for Mexican culture have become fundamental values. The main goal of Ballet Folklórico Sones Mexicanos is to create and strengthen ties between youth and their roots, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural identity.
ABOUT THE ILCC
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago is a pan-Latino, nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to developing, promoting, and increasing awareness of Latino cultures among Latinos and other communities by presenting a wide variety of art forms and education, including film, music, dance, visual arts, comedy, theater and culinary arts. The Center prides itself for its outstanding multidisciplinary local and international cultural programming, which spans Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the United States.
Born out of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago also produces other programs, including the Chicago Latino Music Series, which is celebrating its 19th edition this year; Film in the Parks, also in its 19th season; the monthly Reel Film Club, already in its 17th year; the Chicago Latino Dance Festival, now in its third year; and many more.
All in all, the audience has grown from 500 people in 1985 for the first Chicago Latino Film Festival to more than 50,000 (Latinos and non-Latinos) who enjoy the year-round multidisciplinary cross-cultural exchanges offered by the Center.
ABOUT NIGHT OUT IN THE PARKS • The Chicago Latino Film Festival (Humboldt Park) is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance the quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in each neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals; the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans. For more information, please visit www.nightoutintheparks.com