Event—Adult Education

Shall We Dance: The Evolution and Revolution of Dance through the Ages

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Join us as we embark on a captivating journey through human movement and explore dance as an art form from ancient civilizations to contemporary society.

Paris, Opera, Le foyer de la danse. 1903-1959. Published by Raphael Tuck & Sons. Source: The Newberry Library, Midwest MS Lauder LL 374 copy 1.

Class Description

Beginning at the dawn of civilization, we'll unravel the origins of dance in ancient Egypt and explore the traditions of Kathakali from India and Kabuki from Japan. We'll explore Medieval and Renaissance courtly dances and witness the influences of European Ballet as we observe the artistry of the grand courts of Europe. We will experience the birth of modern dance innovators Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham. We'll explore dance in our own Chicago area.

Finally, we'll bring our exploration into the present day, examining contemporary dance trends and the digital revolution's impact on choreography and performance. Through lectures, multimedia presentations, and discussions, we’ll gain an understanding of dance's evolution and revolution as an art form. If you’re curious about the power of movement, “Shall We Dance” invites you to discover the transformative journey of dance across centuries and continents.

All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.

Glenn Derringer began his musical career at the age of nine appearing on the Jackie Gleason Show, Perry Como, and as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After graduation from Temple University, he held executive positions with Wurlitzer, Baldwin, and Gibson Guitar, and has taught music for more than 50 years.

What to Expect

Format: Virtual 

Class Capacity: 30 

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged 

Materials List

Required

  • Instructor-Distributed Materials

A Brief Syllabus

  1. Introduction to Dance Anthropology
  2. The Birth of Ballet
  3. Modern Dance Pioneers
  4. The World of Dance
  5. The World of Dance
  6. Dance Companies in Chicago and around the World

Cost and Registration

6 Sessions, $245 ($220.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($245), Community Supported ($225), and Sponsor ($265). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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Call us at (312) 255-3700 or send us an email at adulteducation@newberry.org.

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