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[title]It’s difficult to believe no citywide meeting was held about diversity in this week’s performances. (If there was one, no one’s willing to ’fess up—I’ve asked.) From tap-dancing aliens to a food-focused performance fest to choreography inspired by Banksy and Greek sculpture, it’s hard to think of a concept not inspiring movement between Thursday 10 and Wednesday 16.
Fonda fans and fashion freaks should head to [node:177997 link=Cole's;] in Logan Square (2338 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-276-5802) for a rendezvous with the Fabulous Ladies of Fitness, a pair of DJs enamored of neon workout gear and smoove pop classics to an almost alarming degree. There aren’t many monthly parties where splits on the dance floor don’t raise eyebrows. This is one—just be sure to warm up first. Thursday 10; free.
Lovers of old Hollywood, get thee to the [node:32893 link=Dance Center of Columbia College;] (1306 S Michigan Ave, 312-369-8330) for Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre, which performs director Joanna Rosenthal’s noirish physical melodrama, Grey Noise. The pre-color theme continues with HIT by Black Label Movement’s Carl Flink and a vision in white, To Have and To Hold, made in 1991 by Joanie Smith and her late husband, Danial Shapiro. Thursday 10–Saturday 12; $26–$30.
Dancers’ diamond dogs will be barking after each performance of the David Bowie–inspired Changes: A Science Fiction Tap Opera at [node:151995 link=Stage 773;] (1225 W Belmont Ave, 773-327-5252) through March 20. Chicago Tap Theatre director Mark Yonally amped up and revamped his 2006 hit, set to a soundtrack of Ziggy-era faves and proving the lethality of falaps to spiders from Mars. Opening Friday 11; $30, seniors $23, dancers and students $18.
Put eyes on feats by refined aesthetes at the Josephine Louis Theatre (20 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston, 847-491-7282), where ten choreographers present works inspired by artists of all stripes including Banksy, Alexander Calder, Henry Darger and Frida Kahlo in Evanston Dance Ensemble’s Body of Work: The Dance of Art. Ongoing beginning Friday 11; $22; kids, students and seniors $15.
Gastro–performance art is news to us, but an announcement from DEFIBRILLATOR (1136 N Milwaukee Ave, dfbrl8r.com) confirms at least nine local movers are experimenting with creative consumption. Their menu of topics includes alchemy, force-feeding and the allure of junk food. R.S.V.P. required via e-mail to cocurators Ania Greiner and Jessica Hannah at foodperformance@gmail.com. Saturday 12, Sunday 13; $10 suggested donation.
Stimulus junkies and future fanatics get all their eyes can eat at the [node:33023 link=Harris Theater;] (205 E Randolph St, 312-334-7777), where Luna Negra Dance Theater presents one of the fastest-paced, most choreographically intricate triple bills in recent memory. Don’t forget to breathe. Saturday 12; $25–$65.
Or if all you want to do is get away, choose from three overseas escapes featuring live music. On Friday 11 at 7pm, more than 150 dancers from five local academies take part in Irish Dance Chicago at the [node:32115 link=Irish American Heritage Center;] (4626 N Knox Ave, 773-282-7035; $10, kids free). An hour later, Andalusian amorists fill [node:33047 link=Clinard Dance Theatre;] (1747 S Halsted St, 312-399-1984), where flamenco gives Pilsen’s monthly gallery walk a touch of free heat. And on Monday 14, Bharatanatyam dancer Anjal Chande continues Joining Hands, her ongoing collaboration with the Aakash Mittal Quartet, at [node:31634 link=Soham Dance Space;] (922 N Damen Ave, 708-253-3572; 7:30pm; $20).