Is Chicago the New NYC?

I’m starting to get jealous of Chicago. Ever since ballet lover Rahm Emanuel become mayor of The Windy City, it’s been rapidly blossoming into an even more attractive dance hub. During the Paris Opéra Ballet’s visit last week, their performance of Giselle was streamed live for the public from an 18 by 32 foot LED screen in Millenium Park. And next month will bring the largest-ever Chicago Dancing Festival, full of free performances, dance films, discussions, tributes and interactive work. Dancers from Ballet Arizona, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet are all scheduled to make appearances. And Pointe contributor Zac Whittenburg will moderate a discussion about the state of dance in Chicago—hear if local troupes think their city is giving NYC a run for its money as our country’s dance capital.

Tickets for all events will be available starting July 16. Check out the full schedule at chicagodancingfestival.com.