Giordano Dance Chicago is our homegrown ensemble, and their Friday performance was unlike any other Giordano show I have covered. Soaring: Life, Light, and Legacy is a tribute to artistic director Nan Giordano's 40 years of leading the company, started by her father, Gus Giordano, in 1963. The performance was also a loving tribute to Giordano's son, Keenan Giordano Casey, who died in late 2024. Soaring touched my heart, dazzled me, and left me exhausted at the thought of having the energy and precision of GDC.
Giordano teaches the Giordano technique, which is credited with promoting jazz dance technique worldwide. Gus Giordano created dance using small movements and graceful athleticism unique to jazz music. It is a uniquely American form that puts physical movement to an American music genre. Soaring featured three world premiere dances choreographed by Nan Giordano, Al Blackstone, Cesar G. Salinas, Ray Leeper, Christopher Huggins, and the Giordano dancers. The dances were interspersed with short films dedicated to introducing the dancers and choreographers, Nan Giordano's journey as her father's protege, and a profoundly moving tribute to Keenan Giordano Casey.
The opening dance was the world premiere of Sana, which means healing in Latin. Al Blackstone choreographed it, and I saw it as a metaphor for healing from grief. Sana was danced by the leading ensemble, Giordano II, talented young people, and future main ensemble members. It was an introduction to the Giordano technique, which I believe has been perfected. Lighting designer Julie Ballard bathed the stage and backdrop in orange, red, and gold tones. It was the perfect complement to the costumes designed by Devert Monet Hickman. Sana featured quick movement and dancers interwoven with each other, as in how a wound or broken bone heals. There is healing for the soul in Sana. I hope that it becomes part of the repertoire.
The second dance was titled 333. According to the program, 333 represents the angel numbers connected to the three generations of Giordanos: Gus, Nan, and Keenan. I have limited knowledge of numerology, but I remember that angel numbers are signs or messages from the universe or a loved one. 333 was a solo featuring Erina Ueda dancing to Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness," choreographed by Nan Giordano and Cesar G. Salinas. It is one of my favorite Redding songs, with a pioneering soul blend of funk and a riff on gospel shout. Ueda's moves were spot on to the rhythm of Redding's vocals rather than the song's melody. It was spectacular.
Soaring was a special tribute to Keenan Giordano Casey, choreographed by Nan Giordano, Cesar G. Salinas, and the dancers. It was a beautiful collaborative dance featuring the dancers and Casey's friends, the Keebirds. Keebird was a nickname bestowed on Casey, and that knowledge brought tears to my eyes. Remembrance of a friend or other loved ones evokes the nicknames and adventures had with that person. The film preceding the dance was filled with baby pictures, family photos of Casey with his grandfather Gus, and, of course, his mother, Nan. The dancers were clad in varying white attire designed by Nina G.
The movements were appropriately somber and joyful in celebration of a life well-lived. Candle lights were on the stage, which each dancer picked up to welcome the Keebirds, who came through the audience down the aisles. The Giordano ensemble and the Keebirds moved in an infinity shape, carrying the golden lights. This was a dance of love to Keenan from his Giordano family and friends. I could hear some soft crying in the audience. My tears joined theirs in this moving and grand tribute.
After a short pause, the dancers returned with Red and Black from 2024. Ray Leeper choreographed it, and I consider it a redemption for Soul in a 2024 performance that featured R&B classics. Red and Black was a hot and sultry work featuring five songs about torrid romance with a film noir vibe. Eartha Kitt purred, "My Discarded Men, " which features a mocking 'bad girl' laugh for the opener titled Another Show. Other music from Moloko, Haley Reinhart, and Club de Belugas accompanied the pinpoint precision dance moves. Part Four was titled Blue Current and featured Michael Buble singing "Cry Me a River." Julie E. Ballard created a gorgeous, murky blue water projection for the dance. It enhanced the song and gave it an ambiance like lovers on a waterfront in a film noir. Nina G. costumed the dancers in red and black satin. It was sexy, fun, and the music choices were primo.
Nan Giordano choreographed Taal to music by Anurhada, Suno A.R. Rahman, and S. Jhaia. Hema Rajagopalan from Natya Dance Theatre inspired and provided tutelage on Indian culture and dance. Taal translates as rhythm or meter in Indian music, and the choreography was in step with the beats. Silks hung from the rafters as an added texture to the costumes designed by Asifa Imran. The dancers wound themselves in them and left them to unravel, keeping the rhythm. It was a terrific addition to the jazz score accompanying most dances.
Pyrokinesis was the finale for Soaring. It was the perfect title for the dance, which featured the leading ensemble from Giordano and was choreographed by Christopher Huggins, who came up through Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Pyrokinesis comes from horror master Stephen King's novel Firestarter. It is the ability to start fires psychically—insert young Drew Barrymore. Giordano was on fire for sure. The music of George Winston and United Future Organization was contemporary jazz and a genre known as nu-jazz, which blends electronica, acid jazz, funk, and improvisation. The rhythms are crackling and intricate. Giordano could have struck a match with the equally rhythmic moves and energy. It was a fantastic ending to Soaring: Life, Light, and Legacy. Giordano perfectly molded several dance genres with the Giordano Technique. There was passion and love on view in this performance. It was a perfect tribute and a beautiful benediction for a life transitioned.
Soaring: Life, Light, and Legacy was performed on April 4 and 5 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. For more information about Giordano Dance Chicago and future performances, please visit giordanodance.org.
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