Giordano Dance Chicago lit up the Harris Theater last week with Ignite the Soul; the program featured three world premieres and restaged dances that felt fresh and well-placed. The last performance I covered in 2025 had the same title, but it was more of a greatest-hits set. This time, the ensemble leaped out of the gate blazing with energy for the first dance, called Sana, choreographed by Al Blackstone. Sana means healing in Latin, and the vibe on stage was one of wholeness, light, and magic.
Each dance was prefaced by a short film featuring the choreographers or Nan Giordano, artistic director, or Cesar G. Salinas, associate artistic director. In my opinion, there could have been fewer videos, except for the new choreography and the wonderful community outreach programs offered by Giordano Dance Chicago.
The first new piece was choreographed by Mike Minery, who is one of the more prominent tap professionals in America. Minery spoke of the late Gregory Hines as an inspiration and a photo of the founder, Gus Giordano, with Hines was projected. It made me smile because Hines was also one of my favorite character actors and had starred in White Nights (1985) with Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Minery made a special appearance as a dancer with Giordano member Erina Ueda in the world premiere of My Kind of Girl. The song of the same name was performed by Count Basie and Frank Sinatra. It was a jaunty and wonderful display of rhythmic joy and skill between Minery and Ueda. I was sitting eight rows back and had a closer view of professional tap than I have ever had. They used all parts of the tap shoes, including the sides. I wondered why Ueda wore white gloves, because most of the attention was on their feet. There were no flamboyant hand gestures, such as the big circle wave for a grand finale. Historically, white gloves were worn for vaudeville shows or minstrelsy.
Another Giordano world premiere was namuH choreographed by Jon Rua. It was my favorite of the evening with awesome music by Björk and Stateless. The moves were sinuous and precise, with elements of street dance. The theme of struggling to break free of conformity was a motif in several of the dances. Björk's music was the perfect accompaniment for namuH. Her unique soprano voice and artful dissonance enhanced the mix of flowing and static movement. It was a highlight of the show. Rua has made a name for himself as a Broadway performer and choreographer. He has performed in Hamilton and In the Heights, both created by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Speaking of ignition, the company's restaging of Sabroso (2011) was a barn-burner. The choreography was by Del Dominguez and Laura Flores, featuring the music of Tito Puente, Monguito Santamaria ( no relation to Mongo), Eddie Palmieri, and Machito. The Giordano dancers put some heat into standards like the cha-cha, rumba, and mambo. Gus Giordano created some jazz movements based on Latin dances from Afro-Caribbean countries. In recent years, with televised dance competitions, these dances have made a big comeback on shows like Dancing with the Stars. It was great fun to see them done live and so beautifully.
The finale was Dumb Luck, a world premiere choreographed by Al Blackstone. Dumb Luck was reminiscent of Anchors Aweigh (1945) with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. The ensemble was dressed in old-school sailor outfits designed by Nina G., who did most of the costumes for Ignite the Soul. Blackstone is the resident choreographer of Giordano Dance Chicago, and Dumb Luck was a loving paean to the genre that Gus Giordano made part of the choreography vernacular. Dancers were buzzing in and out from the wings, and I almost expected the famous Gene Kelly dance with Jerry the Mouse from Tom and Jerry. It was great fun and ended the evening on a high note.
Ignite the Soul by Giordano Dance Chicago featured drama, excitement, and some sly humor for two hours with one intermission. I highly recommend catching a performance of Giordano Dance Chicago.
Ignite the Soul played on April 10 and 11 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance..Please visit their website to learn more about their education initiatives and community generosity. It is important that opportunities in the arts are passed on to new generations.
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