Luna Negra Dance Theater

Luna Negra Dance Theater is a dance ensemble that integrates traditional Latin dances, rich musical heritage, folkloric traditions of Latino cultures as well as contemporary movements without using traditional folkloric dress nor dancing strictly traditional dance styles such as Flamenco, Tango or Salsa.cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/current/companies/158|title=Luna Negra Dance Theater|accessdate=2008-08-29|publisher=Harris Theater for Music and Dance] It is based in city-state|Chicago|Illinois and was founded by Eduardo Vilaro in 1999 after he graduated from a Master's Degree program at Columbia College.cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/01/21/2008-01-21_allhispanic_luna_negra_dance_company_deb-2.html|title=All-hispanic Luna Negra dance company debuts in New York |accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2008-01-21|publisher=NYDailyNews.com|work=New York Daily News|author=Simián, José Manuel] It focuses on the work of Latin choreographers.cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/arts/dance/28luna.html?|title=Seeking Raw Beauty in Fluid Movement|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Kourlas, Gia] Ron DeJesus, Vicente Nebrada, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and Pedro Ruiz are among the choreographers presented by Luna Negra.cite web|url=http://www.lunanegra.org/about.htm|title=About Luna Negra|accessdate=2008-08-29|publisher=Luna Negra Dance Theater] The company has performed in Chicago at Ravinia Festival, The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Symphony Center, The Dance Center of Columbia College, Dance Chicago, the Ruth Page Dance Series locally and had toured nationally and internationally to places such as Panama and Mexico. The dance ensemble made its New York City debut at the New Victory Theater in January 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/arts/dance/25dance.html?|title=Dance Listings|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2008-01-25|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times]

When the Harris Theater opened in 2003, it provided an aspiration for small dance companies such as Luna Negra. [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FE93A8742D9440E&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=The Harris Theater is ready, but can dancers afford rent?|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2003-11-02|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Smith, Sid] Luna Negra quickly achieved its goal of performing there, [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ADHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1157969E30A0E5F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Dance companies premiere new works|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2006-11-10|publisher=Newsbank|work=Daily Herald|author=Vitello, Barbara] [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11C6213AC6335760&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=On the Latin beat - Vilaro's dance piece celebrates mambo pioneer|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2003-11-02|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Weiss, Hedy] and it will even celebrate the start of its tenth season with a performance at the Harris Theater on September 26 and 27, 2008. [cite press release|title=LUNA NEGRA DANCE THEATER LAUNCHES ITS 10th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH “CICLOS,” A PROGRAM FEATURING TWO WORLD PREMIERES AND A WORK TO MARK THE JOSÉ LIMÓN CENTENNIAL|date=2008-08-19|publisher=Silverman Group|author= Malik, Farrah, and Eric Eatherly] In past seasons, it has co-habitated with the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Concert Dance Inc. at Ravinia Festival. [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/arts/dance/14dance.html?|title=From Salsa to Ballet and Beyond|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2006-05-14|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Dunning, Jennifer] [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E5DB1E3AF931A35756C0A9629C8B63|title=SUMMER FESTIVALS: DANCE; Guess What: Even More Balanchine |accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2004-05-02|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Dunning, Jennifer] The company has also performed on the schedule at Ravinia without these other Chicago dance companies. [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:DERB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=110D9D1226854460&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Mahler, Mozart and more - Ravinia Festival announces summer classical music schedule|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2005-03-10|publisher=Newsbank|work=Deerfield Review|author=Andries, Dorothy] [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/arts/dance/01dancelist.html?|title=Up on the Toes or Down Barefoot|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2005-05-01|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Dunning, Jennifer] In its summer 2008 season, Luna Negra was the opening performance for Ravinia Festival. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E7D61E3FF932A25756C0A96E9C8B63|title=SUMMER STAGES; Summer Stages|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2008-05-11|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Dunning, Jennifer]

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