Jazz dance today covers a lot of ground. Diehards can still expect sky-high kicks and superhuman layouts from the festival Gus Giordano started in 1990—but this year’s edition also includes tap as well as works of unjazzy introspection and hip-hop-inflected social commentary. Here’s a list of some highlights. For full lineups, go to jazzdanceworldcongress.org. The festival opens with the premiere screening of a documentary about Giordano, Gus: An American Icon, Wed 7/22, 6 PM, only open to opening-night ticket holders. The festival’s jazz dance choreography competition finals run Thu-Sat 6:15 PM, only for ticket holders.—Laura Molzahn
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THURSDAY, JULY 23
Chicago’s Mature Dance Project—a troupe of “post-professional dancers”—makes its debut with the world premiere of Sherry Zunker’s piece for 21, A Little Rhythm & Romance. And Rennie Harris’s hip-hop Philadelphia Experiment, performed by Philadanco, ends the fest on a note of celebration.
