Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday

October 26, 2024

11AM - 5PM

FREE - advance registration recommended.

All ages, identities, bodies, and minds welcome!

Location: Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave. Chicago, IL 60626.

including Sky Room (indoors), gym (indoors).
 

Free Dance Day brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to enjoy a day filled with dance classes, performances, and festivities, all for free!

This family friendly program at Loyola Park, hosted previously by Synapse Arts, expands this year in partnership with fellow Arts Partner in Residence Chicago Tap Theatre. This open-house style event invites you into our home studio to celebrate dance and the fun freedom of Halloween.
 

Come for Free Dance Day, then stay for the Boo! Bash hosted by the Loyola Park Advisory Council, which includes a DJ dance party, crafts, snacks, and a Halloween-y photo booth.
 

Access and location information (wayfinding): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bpVqouUuQRaJXIf7AwOIhCeQZof5uhiYPJsROQsaqug/edit?usp=sharing

Información de acceso y ubicación (wayfinding): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i9j9Ci3zrpKeiuuqwowl76ont1IGX0QZDlyT-o8Tf9k/
 

Free Dance Day 2024 Highlights:

* FREE Dance Classes for kids and adults

* FREE Synapse Student Performance Troupe & Chicago Tap Theatre professional company showings, PLUS a rare joint performance by both Chicago Tap Theatre and Synapse! (learn more about performance troupe here or email [email protected] with questions)

* Halloween Party Boo! Bash in Collaboration with Loyola Park Advisory Council

* Learning the Thriller dance together

* Costume giveaway from our DanceWear Share Library - perfect for dance class, performance, and/or Halloween costumes! (learn more about it here: DanceWear Share Library)

* An applicant workshop for artists interested in Synapse Arts - New Works 2025

* Merchandise available for sale from Chicago Tap Theatre
 

After Free Dance Day upstairs, join us at the Boo! Bash hosted in the gym by the Loyola Park Advisory Council. Our artists will be teaching the Thriller dance to get the party started!
 

In order to make these events accessible to the public, Free Dance Day provides accessibility services at events such as ASL interpreters, Amplified Lead Voice, wayfinding, large print and sensory adaptations including a quiet room. For additional accessibility requests or questions, please contact us by email at [email protected], or call or text 947-2CREATE (947-227-3283).
 

There is no dress code, please wear clothes you can move comfortably in. This can include soft soled dance shoes or socks or bare feet, and tap shoes or sneakers for tap classes. 

Please refrain from wearing or using products with strong scents in the studio.

SYNAPSE CLASSES

Adaptive Dance Class with Synapse Arts

MONDAY, October 21, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

5:00-6:00 PM CDT

Designed for the Special Rec Program students at Loyola Park but open to any with mental and learning disabilities, this fun class incorporates movement, creativity, and self-expression in an adaptive and supportive environment. Rests, noises, and caregivers are all welcome. Contact [email protected] or call or text our access request line at 947-2CREATE (947-227-3283) for questions and access needs. Please note the class is aimed towards the participants of the Loyola Park Special Rec program, however a small number of spots will be opened to community members. Taught by Synapse teaching artists Lucas Greeff and Laura Tennal. 

Kids Dance Class with Synapse Arts

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024 12:00-12:45 PM CDT

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

Synapse teaching artist favorite Ms V teaches a fun dance class for children ages 4-8 years. This energetic class incorporates music, dance and self-expression while incorporating styles like jazz and hip-hop dance. Taught by Synapse teaching artist Vanessa Maxwell. 

Plus, your child can "try it out" for the Synapse Arts Performance Troupe! Want to see your dancer shine through their performance or gain more confidence? The  Performance Troupe is the perfect thing to help them. We spend a dedicated hour each week, working on choreography, performance skills and preparing for future performances. Any child who attends class on Free Dance Day and is a good fit for the Troupe can register for the Winter Session with no further approvals needed. Come Try it out!

Adult Modern - Trans Dance Connect with Reign Drop and Synapse Arts

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

1:00-2:00PM CDT

Designed to create space for transgender dancers and their allies, Trans Dance Connect is a modern dance class designed for beginners and those returning to dance after some time off. Our main objective is to come together, everything else is low stakes, high reward. Join us for some spirals, floorwork, movement combinations, and improv! Taught by Synapse collaborator Reign Drop. 

Health and Safety Protocols: Social distancing and mask wearing is encouraged. We ask that participants negotiate their comfort levels in each setting, including requesting masks be worn. For requests with accessibility assistance, please contact [email protected] or call or text our access request line at 947-2CREATE (947-227-3283). The Chicago Park District mandates are on this webpage: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/covid19-response# 

Family Dance Class with Synapse Arts

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

2:00-2:45PM CDT

Parents and kiddos get the chance to dance together in a fun-for-all-ages class! Incorporating ballet, jazz, and more, this class will get you moving and grooving together. Recommended for ages 2 and up along with their caregivers. Taught by Synapse teaching artist Katie Matteson Campana. 

New Works Applicant Workshop

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

2:00-3:30PM CDT

Held in the Pine Room on the 2nd Floor.

Previous New Works 2012 Artist, CDF Lab Artist, and New Works panel reviewer Chris Knowlton leads this 90 minute workshop for artists applying for New Works 2025, assisted by former New Works 2023 artist, Link Hall CO-mission artist, and 2020 New Works panel reviewer Jamila Kekulah. The workshop will include both interactive instructional time, as well as a guided working/writing session. Though primarily geared towards preparing applicants for New Works, participants are welcome to bring other dancemaking applications for feedback during the guided working/writing time. Workshop space will be capped at 15 participants. 
 

CTT CLASSES

Adult Tap Class with Chicago Tap Theatre

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024 12:00-12:45 PM CDT

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

Tap dance class for ages 18+, this class is open to all levels and senior-friendly, a taste of what you’ll learn in our adult beginner and adult intermediate weekly classes. First time taking tap dance or putting your shoes back on after years? Wanting to brush up for a musical theater audition? Looking for an activity that is musical, creative, analytical, and physical all in one? This class is for you! Drop in or enroll for a session to grow, learn, have fun, and excercise both mind and body! This class is taught by Chicago Tap Theatre Company Member Roxy King, who has over a decade of teaching experience and loves helping dancers and movers reach their goals and enjoy being in a rhythm community together. Students will learn tap dance basic steps and vocabulary as well as musical terms, and class will blend technique, combinations, and tap history.

Kids Tap Class with Chicago Tap Theatre

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

1:00-1:30PM CDT

In this tap dance class for ages 3-8, little dancers will begin to develop a love of dance and music to last a lifetime! Have a little one who loves to move or make noise, but needs an outlet? Tap dance with us to grow, learn, have fun, and exercise both mind and body! Taught by Chicago Tap Theatre Rehearsal Director Molly Smith, who has over a decade of teaching experience and loves helping dancers and movers reach their goals and enjoy being in a rhythm community together. Students will learn tap dance basic steps and vocabulary as well as musical terms, and class will blend technique, combinations, silliness, learning class structure, and tap history. 

Tap Jam with Chicago Tap Theatre

Part of Free Dance Day 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Loyola Park, 1230 W Greenleaf

2:00-3:00PM CDT

Join CTT Company Members Molly Smith & Roxy King for a casual, open-to-all tap jam! This jam is open to all ages and levels of tap dance, and we want you to bring whatever you have to say with your feet to the floor! Enjoy a blend of jazz & pop music with exercises to work on your improvisational skills as well as free jam time to just dance it out. Stay the full hour or pop in for a song or two.
 

SYNAPSE/CTT COMBINED EVENTS

Chicago Tap Theatre and Synapse Arts combined performance

Join us for a fun upbeat show celebrating all things dance at Free Dance Day! Featuring the young dancers of the Synapse Arts Student Performance Troupe, professional tap dancers from Chicago Tap Theatre, and a special crossover performance where CTT and Synapse artists jam together!

Costume Swap/Giveaway

Need a dance costume? Come grab one from our DanceWear Share Library! We have lots of fun costumes with sparkles, fringe, and more - perfect for a fun show or for Halloween! Professional dancers, students, and kids alike are all welcome to take any items that fit your needs.

Free Dance Day 2024 - 2nd Floor Lobby Tables 

Stop by our tables on the 2nd floor lobby to learn more about Synapse Arts and Chicago Tap Theatre and our classes and performances! Support more community events like Free Dance Day by making a donation, buying Chicago Tap Theatre merchandise, or participating in a Synapse Arts raffle.

Sensory Supportive Room

A sensory friendly rest area will be available throughout the event in the Little Library on the first floor of Loyola Park. The library contains books and toys suitable for children, and during the event our facilitators will offer items such as fidget tools, ear defenders, soft items such as pillows and blankets, knitting supplies, and masks. Visitors are also welcome to utilize their own sensory tools and/or craft/knitting supplies in this space! The Sensory Supportive Room is facilitated by Synapse Disability Consultant Maggie Bridger. 

Please note: During our event this room is a masked area. This is an access-centered space, and we want to make it as safe as possible to be here. One easy and effective way to do that is by wearing a mask. Masks will be available, or you can bring your own if you prefer!

Thriller at the BooBash

Learn the iconic “Thriller” dance at the Loyola Park BooBash! The BooBash is presented by Loyola Park and held in the first floor gymnasium. Guest teaching artists from Synapse and Chicago Tap Theatre will make a special appearance during the BooBash to teach “Thriller” and dance it out with attendees for some Halloween fun! 

ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago’s finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the “tap opera” format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move audiences for over 22 years.

ABOUT SYNAPSE ARTS

Since 2004 Chicago-based Synapse Arts has been nurturing individuality and challenging social norms about identity. All facets of the company, from the collaborative creation of its dance-theater works to classes and performances, are designed to include and reach all members of the community - regardless of age, ability, race, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation or income level. Described by the Chicago Tribune as a company of “serious artists working with intelligence and a pinpoint aesthetic,” Synapse Arts brings dance-theater into the community through schools, parks, and performances in public spaces. Free and low-cost classes are offered for adults and children of all levels. The company’s Synapse Arts - New Works program mentors young artists and complements their annual performances of original dance-theater works.

These programs are made possible by support from 3Arts, Chicago Community Trust, The Chicago Park District, The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, See Chicago Dance, Forefront, and The Rogers Park Business Alliance.

Synapse Arts is in residency at Loyola Park and Berger Park Cultural Center through the Chicago Park District’s Arts Partners in Residence Program, which unites artists and communities in Chicago's parks. Connect with Synapse Arts at www.SynapseArts.com or on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.