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The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago proudly presents the first ever Chicago Latino Dance Festival, a four-week celebration of the rich variety and versatility of Iberoamerican dance and of Chicago’s thriving dance scene. 37 Chicago-area groups will participate, representing such disciplines and regions as Puerto Rican bomba and plena, Brazilian samba, flamenco, Belizean punta, Haitian traditional, Chilean cueca, indigenous dances from the Quechua, Purepecha and Zapotec nations, tango and contemporary dance, among others.

The first date for this festival will be held on September at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. Sunday, September 17.
“There is no doubt that Chicago is a city of festivals. There is one for every neighborhood, for every artistic expression. And yet there are some gaps. The Chicago Latino Dance Festival was created to address one of those gaps: a showcase for the many styles of dance you will find in Latin America and Spain. Most of the groups performing in our Festival work at a community level. Others represent countries that sometimes are left out of our conversations about Latin America. They all deserve a spotlight of their own. Just like with our film festival, we invite audiences to join us in this colorful journey throughout the Latino diaspora,” said Pepe Vargas, Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center.
“The Chicago Latino Dance Festival provides an opportunity to experience and expose traditions that are critical to the culture and identity of so many communities that exist within Chicago. We also want to elevate and raise the profiles of the artists and traditions of these countries while fostering cross-cultural exchange and providing a cultural outlet for artists outside of their communities. We hope to turn this Festival into an annual event,” added Mateo Mulcahy, Deputy Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center.
The Chicago Latino Dance Festival is partially supported by a CityArts Project grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
Sunday, September 17
The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
915 E 60th St.
2 pm – 8 pm (with an intermission)