Best of Dance Chicago, Orland Park Review

Orland Review Performance: 'Best of Dance'

(http://www.starnewspapers.com/entertainment/237563,012fl3.article)

February 1, 2007

By Myra Eder

Orland Park kicked up its heels last Saturday and danced all night.Well, for two hours anyway. Tap, hip-hop, ballet, modern, jazz, Spanish ballroom flashed across thestage as Best of Dance Chicago returned for its fourth year in a row.With enthusiastic support from villagers and elected officials, theOrland Park Arts Commission, under the leadership of Colleen Panega,packed the Sandburg High School Performing Arts Center for the danceconcert featuring top companies from throughout the region.Hip Hop ConnXion, a young troupe featured in a 2006 Firstlook feature,opened the show with enough energy to power the stage lights.Hip-hoppers popped, froze and kept their bodies rhythmically following the complex choreography by Suave. Audience intensity was high when HipHop ConnXion left the stage.Those who developed the art of tap dancing over the decades would havebeen ecstatic to see the next act, a cappella dance performance by thephenomenal Chicago Tap Theatre.Chicago Ballet company members danced on pointe to a drivinginstrumental version of the Beatles "Revolution" by Kronos Quartet. Although this reviewer did not care for the music, the choreography andits execution were compelling.One hardly thinks of park districts and high schools when professionaldance is involved but the award-winning Bolingbrook Park DistrictDanceforce, as well as Sandburg's own Orchesis Dance Troupe, broughtyouthful bravado and talent to the stage. Everyone of these youngdancers should go forward in performance arts.Live music by Stone has to be seen and heard to be believed. This guyplays several instruments at once -- with tremendous coordination andmusical talent.The elegant, exotic SurTaal Dance Company, Stick and Move Dance Crew,Choreography by Eddy Ocampo, Cerqua Riveral Dance Theatre, CultureShock Chicago, Chicago Latin & Ballroom Dance, Bril with M.A.D.D.Rhythms and Inaside Chicago Dance kept the show moving with charisma,electricity and huge amounts of talent and hard work. Hopefully 2008 will find Best of Dance Chicago back in town for anotherstellar show.