 Artistic Director Jane Sawyer with Chosen Generation dancers Cook County Arts Collective is privileged to begin a collaboration with The Chosen Generation Dance Ministry. In addition to their regular appearances, the dancers will be performing as members of the Cook County Arts Collective at Grace House in the coming months.
The Chosen Generation Dance Ministry trains, worships and performs regularly at Progressive Community Church, 56 E 48th Street, in Chicago..  View our Grace House slide show April 20, 2021
Beginning in April, CCAC has returned to regular class sessions at Grace House. We are thrilled to be working with the women of Grace House again!  Photo of Ms. Chen courtesy of Wolf Marloh January 2021 We sincerely thank Victoria Chen (@vhickles) for working with us in January of 2021. Over the course of three virtual sessions, we engaged with Ms. Chen's beautiful piece titled "Pericles Synopsis." Ms.Chen's unique gestural language tells a classic story with themes that deeply resonate with this collective, particularly regarding grief, mourning, and ultimately the joy of long awaited family reunions. Vic has trained in Australia, Iceland, USA, UK, China and Singapore, and draws inspiration from both Eastern and Western forms. Her work focuses on enriching the heart and mind through entertainment, to lighten the loads of others and offer different perspectives on humanity and fields of knowledge through artistic means. Regardless of subject matter, situation or company, Vic grounds herself in the essential desire to spread love, investigate the truth, and offer meaningful experiences. She explores the mind to reach a deeper understanding of human behaviour, relationships (with each other and the environment), social systems and constructs, and the intersections between these topics. She examines the heart to impress upon others the belief that the manifestation of love in its different forms ultimately leads to the betterment of humankind, and allows us to approach the seeking of knowledge and truth from a place of openness. In essence, Vic uses entertainment to pursue happiness, connection and clarity in the human experience.  Victoria Chen coaching CCAC dancer Anna Sawyer (@bananahope) on Pericles in studio
 Saturday, August 8, noon
Today’s virtual session was led by Ellen Aldridge, who we love! Ellen joined us back in March for a class and performance inside Division 5, and today she led us through yoga and meditation. Ellen has been teaching similar classes as part of her work at the Center for Discovery eating disorder treatment center since April 2020.  August 2020 In August, Cook County Arts Collective classes at Grace House resumed outdoors, socially distant, and completely optional. Grace House is a residential program serving women who are exiting the Illinois prison system, and offers the following services in addition to mindful movement classes with CCAC: Substance abuse treatment Medical and mental health evaluations Psychological evaluation and counseling Educational opportunities through the St. Leonard’s Ministries Alternative High School Pre-employment services through the Michael Barlow Employment Center Referrals for additional job training and employment Assistance in finding safe, affordable housing and more.  July 25, 12:00 p.m. On July 25, we welcomed one of our favorite CCAC partners to our Saturday virtual movement class. Dominique Atwood (@queendom_moves) led us in a special class that was truly a family affair! We were joined by two young dancers (5 and 6) as well as our regular crew, and Dom kept us all moving, the young and the young at heart! Have a young one with you on Saturday? Bring them to class! All are welcome. Dominique has been with us powerfully in the THRIVE program, both on her own and with the Deeply Rooted professional company, and it was a joy to dance with her again. We can't wait to have her back.. O again.
 Tuesdays (June through October)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CCAC Founder and Director Jane Sawyer leads our regular Grace House class twice monthly in mindfulness, gentle movement, and dance.  Wednesday, June 24, 2020 3:00 PM On June 24, CCAC’s virtual session was led by Adeoye Mabogunje. We were honored to move through his unique fusion of yoga, Pilates and Meditation, and we are already looking forward to the next class. We thank our regular Pilates instructor, Anna Sawyer (@bananahope) for facilitating this connection, and we were so happy to be joined by veteran CCAC guest artist Dominique Atwood (@queendom_moves). Please check out @deos_pilates for more information about this magnificent teacher and artist.  Tuesday, June 23, 2020 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM We were thrilled to resume regular in-person programming at Grace House on June 23. It was a joy to see old friends and make many new ones, in an outdoor class on a beautiful afternoon. CCAC Director Jane Sawyer has worked with our partners at Grace House to ensure that our sessions are safe (two shorter, smaller sessions instead of one, masks and social distancing). We are so grateful to be back in Grace House again!  Saturday, June 13
Cook County Arts Collective Director Jane Sawyer joined Hyde Park School of Dance students and Ayodele Drum & Dance at The Gathering on June 13, in front of Lorado Taft's Fountain of Time sculpture on the Midway of the University of Chicago campus. The Gathering Protest was choreographed and conceived by Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Artistic Director Nicole Clarke Springer and DRDT company dancer Rebekah Kuczma, to honor the memory of George Floyd. For video of this collaboration see The Gathering Protest on Instagram.  Saturday, May 16, 2020 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM On May 16, we welcomed the amazing Angelique Nelson (@norcorset) to teach our Saturday yoga class. Angelique has been teaching yoga 2009. She completed her certification through Moksha Yoga Center, and has studied and trained with many national and international teachers. In her teaching she brings a strong focus on alignment in an intention-based flow, and a playful mix of more subtle practices such as mudras, bandhas, kriyas, and meditation/visualization techniques.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Artistic Director Jane Sawyer conducts class at Grace House.  Wednesday, February 5, 2020 4:30 PM 5:30 PM CCAC Director Jane Sawyer conducts class at Division 5.  Tuesday, February 4, 2020 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Artistic Director Jane Sawyer conducts class at Grace House.  Wednesday, January 29, 2020
4:30 PM 5:30 PM In June of 2019, Ayodele of Ayodele Drum & Dance gave the first master class for the Cook County Arts Collective, to rave reviews from our dancers. On January 29, she will return with members of her sisterhood of drum and dance for another truly memorable performance. Ayodele Drum and Dance exists to foster community from a feminine perspective through the study and performance of diasporic African drum and dance. The company is led by Tosha ‘Ayo’ Alston. Ayodele, a Yoruba word meaning “Joy in the home", is a diverse sister-circle of over 20 performing artists committed to studying and performing drum and dance as a healing element. They conduct regular classes for adults and children throughout the year at Sherman Park, in the South Side's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Ayodele Drum & Dance performs throughout the City of Chicago and the surrounding area frequently, at festivals, community events and private parties, spreading healing energy through performances. Tuesday, January 21, 2020 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Artistic Director Jane Sawyer conducts class at Grace House.  Wednesday, January 8, 2020 4:30 PM 5:30 PM CCAC Director Jane Sawyer conducts class at Division 5. |
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