DanceWorks 2025: signal::transfer
Artistic Director Thomas F. DeFrantz

In a world where signals connect us all, DanceWorks 2025: signal::transfer invites you to an evening of dance that transcends boundaries and time. This innovative production weaves together the flow of movement and emotion, creating interconnected signals and stories that will leave you in awe.

This year’s concert features: 

 “Who’s In Charge” by Joe Bowie: Immerse yourself in the raw, emotional narratives of ballet class experiences. This powerful piece explores the language of ballet that shapes and sometimes scars, offering a deeply moving reflection on the art form.

“The City of Others (La Ciudad de los Otros)” (2010) by guest artists Rafael Palacios and members of  the pre-eminent, Colombian, Afro-contemporary dance company he founded, Sankofa Danzafro: Be captivated by the restaging of this iconic work which  highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities in Colombia due to racism and oppression.  Originally created to mark Colombia’s 159th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, The City of Others celebrates the cultural resilience of African diaspora communities while demanding social equity and inclusion. It has been performed in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. In this Chicagoland adaptation and premiere, the piece wonders about our experiences being “othered” and demonstrates how we demand dignity, autonomy, and, most importantly, find community through those very demands.   As part of their Kaplan Institute for the Humanities Artist-in-Residency,  Rafael Palacios and Sankofa Danzafro company members worked with talented NU students to offer a new adaptation and abridged version of this masterpiece.

 “at the and” by guest artist AI Evangelista: Step into the future with this relevant piece that navigates the delicate balance between help and harm in our digital age. Featuring augmented reality, “at the and” offers a personalized experience that will make you rethink the implications of technology and surveillance.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable journey of innovation, bold movement, and deep emotion.

Suggested Ages 8+ 
Approximate Run Time 70 minutes, no intermission 

Guest Artists

Rafael Palacios (City of Others, he/him) is a Colombian choreographer, teacher, and dancer focused on Afro-contemporary dance. His experiences in Africa and Europe led to founding Sankofa Danzafro, exploring social and racial inequality and Afro-Colombian culture. With over 20 years of work, his creations have been showcased globally. Palacios received the 2008 National Dance Award and the 2018 National Prize for Arts. He’s also a social activist, recognized by the UN for his inclusion project, Steps on Earth. He holds a Master in Education and Human Rights, from the Latin American Autonomous University.

Al Evangelista (he/siya) is an Assistant Professor of Dance with a courtesy appointment in Comparative American Studies at Oberlin College, a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech, and a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. Al’s scholarship and artistic work focus on the intersections of dance, culture, and society, particularly in expressing queer and Filipinx-American narratives. His diverse body of work has earned him a Dancing Lab residency at the National Center for Choreography at The University of Akron (NCCAkron), supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Daring Dances, and an Oberlin College Teaching Grant. As a dancer and actor, Al has performed in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles including Movement Research at the Judson Church, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Links Hall, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts at Cornell University, Dance Exchange, Dance Place and the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.