ALL THAT JAZZ

THE YEAR IS 1974. Happy Days makes its debut on ABC. Watergate is erupting in Washington, D.C. And Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were” is burning up the airwaves.

Meanwhile on the North Shore, Lake Forest residents are celebrating an exciting new place for the community to connect and in Evanston, a burgeoning American jazz dance company is invited to tour with the Bolshoi Ballet in the Soviet Union.

That place was Gorton Center and that world-class troupe was Giordano Dance Company (GDC)—which will make its Gorton premier February 10 as part of an elevated anniversary lineup.

Ann Wildman, Gorton’s Director of Special Events, says this year’s schedule is promising to be the most robust in the center’s 50-year history. Giordano Dance Company will be the first professional dance company to perform at Gorton but it certainly won’t be the last.

The pairing is meaningful for both organizations.

Giordano Dance Chicago originated at the late Gus Giordano’s family-run studio in Evanston in Known as the godfather of jazz in dance, the company that Giordano founded is today regarded as American’s original jazz dance company. Now located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Giordano Dance Chicago has performed worldwide in more than 1,300 cities.

Wildman is thrilled to add Lake Forest to that list, especially as GDC emerges from its 60th anniversary year with new works that continue expand the boundaries of jazz and contemporary dance.

“I love the Gorton Center because it allows the community to see high quality performances and hear world-class speakers in a beautiful, intimate space right in town,” she says, adding that a professional- grade Marley dance floor will be installed to host the GDC performance.

Giordano Dance Chicago will be at Gorton Center for a full day of rehearsals prior to the performance, which will showcase a range of pieces from 1983 to 2022.

The first half of the show features the slinky “Le Grand Futur is Here!” (by renowned Emmy Award-winner Mia Michaels); the iconic “Sing, Sing, Sing” (Gus Giordano’s original creation set to music written by Louis Prima and made popular by Benny Goodman); and the joyous “La Belleza de Cuba” (by Liz Imperio. Imperio, whose extensive credits include staging and choreography for Jennifer Lopez, Cher, Gloria Estefan, and Madonna).

Following a short intermission, the show will continue with performances of “Sneaky Pete” (a film noirstyled piece by by Brock Clawson); “All For You” (a pas de deux choreographed by GDC dancer Adam Houston and originally created for the “Giordano on Giordano” collective); and the rousing “SOUL” (by So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Ray Leeper, featuring music by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Al Green, and Tina Turner).

The February 10 performance runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with a special “meet and greet” champagne and dessert reception to follow (tickets will be sold separately for this part of the event). Those who opt for the afterperformance event will have the opportunity to personally meet Gus Giordano’s daughter, Nan Giordano (who now runs GDC) along with the dancers.

Wildman says that in addition to hosting GDC for the first time, Gorton Center has many other unique offerings to come in the anniversary year ahead—all leading up to a weekend-long, community-wide Birthday Bash September 14 to 15, sponsored by Lake Forest Bank & Trust.

“It’s going to be a year to remember,” she adds. “There will be something for everyone.”

Tickets to Giordano Dance Chicago’s February 10 performance at Gorton Center’s John & Nancy Hughes Theater are priced from $82.95 to $103.95 (prices increase at the door). Gorton Center is located at 400 E. Illinois Road. To buy a ticket to the performance or the “Meet & Greet” event, visit gortoncenter.org/event/giordano-dance-chicago/.