Aszure Barton's Final Hubbard Street Commission Premieres at Harris Theater

Choreographer Aszure Barton presents her final commission for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a 25-minute piece titled 'LubDub,' premiering May 14, 15, and 17 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The work features all 15 company dancers plus a guest artist, with an electronic score by Jlin, Kara-Lis Coverdale, and Susanne Lundeng. Barton was given complete creative freedom for this fourth commission, which caps a three-year residency. The non-narrative piece, described as 'unruly,' includes quirky movements like dancers being dragged and spasmodic jerks. Barton, who has worked with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Cyndi Lauper, began the piece during a December visit. The premiere follows a two-week run at the Joyce Theater in New York. Artistic director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, who took over in March 2021, invited Barton back for 'Busk' in 2021, leading to the residency. Barton, an Alberta native now based in Seattle, first danced at Toronto's National Ballet School and credits a 2003 Hubbard Street 2 commission for launching her choreography career.