From the Publisher ’ s Desk
Photo by Kipling Swehla Photography
From the Publisher ’ s Desk
Another great season of fine arts is upon us and there ' s the inescapable feeling in the air that , though new seasons come and go rather routinely around here , something very special is on the horizon .
Perhaps that ' s because oftentimes it ' s true , that each year in the Windy City , creative minds and cultural tastemakers cull the most innovative and artistically superlative projects to present Chicago audiences — each unique and distinctive and indicative of the brilliant work we come to expect out of Windy City arts and culture . And yet there ’ s always that element of surprise . Somehow , we still get bowled over each new season with the level of artistry at play and the remarkable ideas and concepts that unfold before us each and every time we seek to indulge in this city ’ s cultural offerings . We can ' t imagine the bar getting any higher , and yet it so often does .
This new season is jam packed with the kind of bar-raising work audiences simply can ' t prepare for .
Modern dance wonder The Seldoms will bring Dance Center audiences a new work that transmutes concepts from the digital world into music and movement . It ' s entitled The Fifth , and it ’ s the brainchild of longtime ensemble member and technology guru Philip Elson . The themes The Fifth communicates through dance stretch far beyond anything we have come to expect , even from innovators like The Seldoms .
Also this season , decorated composer Augusta Read Thomas will bring Chicago audiences the first ever Ear Taxi New and Contemporary Classical Music Festival . With 300 musicians , 86 composers and 53 world premieres , it ’ s the most comprehensive effort yet in the city to shine deserved focus on the incredible new work making its way to concert stages and orchestra halls .
And , of course , there ' s the Broadway smash hit musical , Hamilton . Creator Lin- Manuel Miranda pulled out all the stops
Above : The Seldoms in The Fifth , choreographed by Philip Elson and commissioned by The Seldoms ( photo courtesy of The Seldoms ). when he set out to tell the most compelling story of one of our nation ' s Founding Fathers in the most compelling way . It draws in audiences of from across the spectrum and captures the imagination like few other works in modern times .
Yes , we certainly do have a great deal to anticipate in the new season ahead . But in Chicago , it ' s difficult to imagine the true scope of all that awaits . And boy are we fortunate that that is the case , because the element of surprise has a way of making our cultural experiences one-of-a-kind . And that ’ s what keeps us coming back with such excitement each new season .
Here ' s to a new season of unimaginable creativity .
Photo BY KYLE FLUBAKER
Clef N tes
Chicagoland Journal for the Arts A u t u m n 2 0 1 6
Publisher D . Webb
Editorial
Editor in Chief Patrick M . Curran II
Associate Editors Fred Cummings Scott Elam Christopher Hopper
Editorial Support Rachel Cullen
Staff Writers and Contributors Raymond Benson David Berner Isaac Jacobs Andrew Kowalczyk Leslie Price Jordan Reinwald Daniel A . Scurek
Art & Design Art Director Carl Benjamin Smith
Contributing Photographers Colin Lyons Lorenzo Gregorio
Graphics & Design Chelsea Davis Angela Chang
Social Media Manager Mary Henley
Advertising Jason Montgomery Jason . Montgomery @ ClefNotesJournal . com
Sincerely ,
D . Webb Publisher
6 • CNCJAAutumn2016
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