Family: a place where one feels valued, heard, and understood, an environment that fosters growth, learning, and well being. Couple that with community: a place of shared interests and goals… and you have something special. 

Family and community, these two entities come to my mind this fall season with the creative voice in dance as the common interconnecting thread. 

From my family of origin in Evanston Illinois that fostered an environment where creative thought matters, to the heartwarming Thodos Dance Chicago gathering to toast our past and present, to the creative future embodied in New Dances founded in and for the Chicago community, I am grateful.

SAVE the DATE for New Dances 2025: Wednesday, June 18; Friday, June 20; and Saturday, June 21 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Mark your calendars now and experience New Dances at the very theater where it debuted more than 40 years ago! 

Thodos Dance Chicago and DanceWorks Chicago continue as joined forces to present work created and performed by some of Chicago’s most talented and gifted dance movers and makers. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Left to right

Top: Tom Juffernbruch, Hillary Murphy Vacarello, Rick Johnston, Brock Clawson, Jeanette Gordon, Tarah Hartung

Middle: Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Melissa Thodos, Brian Hare

Bottom: Natalie Tursi, Peter Gaona

This summer Thodos Dance Chicago had a very special chance to reunite! The alumni gathered at a reunion hosted by TDC alumni and choreographer Brock Clawson and Tom Juffernbruch in their home and garden.

How fun to dance down memory lane and reconnect with the TDC family before the start of autumn! We're grateful for everyone who could join and reminisce.

Left to Right:

Brock Clawson, Natalie Tursi, Brian Hare, Tarah Hartung, Melissa Thodos, Hilliary Murphy Vacarello, Altin Naska, Jeanette Gordon

Left to Right: Diane Thodos and Melissa Thodos Pictured at Diane's Exhibition Opening for Eros/Thanatos

Looking for a fun activity to do this weekend? Take a visit to Firecat Projects to see Diane Thodos' latest exhibition, Eros/Thanatos: The Expressionist Prints of Diane Thodos. Diane is Melissa Thodos' twin sister and she has collaborated on many projects with TDC and Melissa throughout the years. Many of the pieces featured are inspired by dance and her work with TDC.

The exhibit closes on November 7th, don't miss your chance to see her incredible work in person! More information can be found here.

Left: Wave Dancer: Satyress monoprint etching 15 x 12” 

Right: Wave Dancer : Nike monoprint etching 15 x 12” 

Left: Wave Dancer monoprint etching 24 x 18”

Right: Ancient Dancer woodblock 51/2 x 4 1/2”