Watch 10 Chicago-Based Dance Companies On The Largest Digital Art Projection In the World (In Person Or Online!)

Art on THE MART, the world’s largest permanent digital art projection, is giving its hometown dance companies a little love. Its 2023 summer season features a new commission by the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, a multi-year project housed at the Logan Center at the University of Chicago that aims to uplift and strengthen the impact of Black dance in Chicago, and beyond. The 15-minute visual installation is projected on the limestone façade of The Mart, Chicago’s art deco central marketplace in Merchandise Mart Plaza.

The Big BangMovement Theory + the Black Dancing Body showcases 10 companies performing original choreography that is designed to take audiences on a journey. Told in three acts, this dynamic visual event aims to draw connections to the history of American dance as told by the Black dancing body. The video features dance forms such as ballet, modern, tap, traditional African dance and Chicago-born footwork.

Directed by Princess Mhoon, who leads the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, The Big Bang: Movement Theory + the Black Dancing Body includes music by Chicago-based DJs Duane Powell, Sam Thousand and Steve “Miggedy” Maestro. It’s projected across the 2.5-acre river-facing building nightly, starting at 9 p.m. CT. Not in Chicago?

Watch a virtual performance at chicagoblackdancelegacy.org. Here are the companies featured in the installation:

The Chicago Multicultural Dance Center & Hiplet Ballerinas

Chicago Multicultural Dance Center
Chicago Multicultural Dance Center. Image: Matt Karas.

Deeply Rooter Dance Theater

Deeply-Rooted-Dance-Theate
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in front of artist Bisa Butler imagery. Image: Matt Karas.

The Era Footwork Collective

The-Era-Footwork
The Era Footwork. Image: Matt Karas.

Forward Momentum Chicago

Forward-Momentum-Chicago.jpg
Forward Momentum Chicago. Image: courtesy of the artist.

Joel Hall Dancers & Center

Joel-Hall-Dancers-Center
Joel Hall Dancers Center. Image: Matt Karas.

M.A.D.D. Rhythms

MADD Rhythms
MADD Rhythms. Image: Matt Karas.

Move Me Soul

Move Me Soul
Move Me Soul. Image: Mat Karas.

Muntu Dance Theatre

Muntu-Dance-Theatre-of-Chicago_Photo-by-Matt-Karas.jpg
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago. Image: Matt Karas.

NAJWA Dance Corps


NAJWA-Dance-Corps_Photo-by-Matt-Karas.jpg
NAJWA Dance Corps. Image: Matt Karas.

Praize Productions

Praize Productions
Praize Productions. Image: Matt Karas.

The Big BangMovement Theory + the Black Dancing Body runs through September 13. To learn more, visit ChicagoBlackDanceLegacy.org and artonthemart.com.

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Updated: July 17, 2023 — 3:01 pm