Community Corner
Aldermen, Celebrity Dancers to Celebrate School's 60th Anniversary
Gus Giordano is known worldwide as the founder of American jazz dance, and his school teaches over 80 classes per week with upwards of 500 students each year.
Area aldermen, celebrity performers and Chicago dancers are gathering this month as the Gus Giordano Dance School celebrates its 60th anniversary.
The event kicks off Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. with the installation of an “Honorary Gus Giordano Way” street sign as a tribute to Gus’ dreams of operating a dance school in Chicago. Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) and Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th) will present the sign in front of school located at 5230 N. Clark St. in Andersonville.
“My father’s dream was to have his school in the city of Chicago as he knew that he could reach more students in Chicago,” said School Director Amy Giordano. “Gus was always enamored with the beauty of Chicago and the city’s support of all art forms.”
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Seasoned performers like Dee Caspary from “So You Think You Can Dance,” Laura Klein from the original Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line,” and 2013 Dance Chicago’s Choreographer of the Year Kate Jablonski will also be in attandance. They plan to teach an exclusive two-day workshop on Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is available online or by phone, and the cost to attend is $160.
Other performers include Richard Smith, Gus’ former teaching assistant and Director of Inside Dance Chicago, as well as Craig Kaufman, master teacher formally with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago & Thodos Dance Chicago.
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Gus Giordano Dance School faculty and GUS company members will also perform during a celebration party on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Swedish American Museum in the Art Gallery, 5211 N. Clark St. The cost to attend is $100, and tickets can be purchased by phone or online.
All proceeds go directly to the school’s scholarship fund to assist young dancers.
Gus Giordano Dance School is also offering free advanced contemporary and jazz dance classes for professional dancers from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday now through December, in honor of Gus and Peg Giordano who frequently gave free classes to dancers in need.
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