Evanston Dance Ensemble Presents ‘Ramble On: EDE Rocks’ March 19 to 22 at Northwestern University

Evanston, IL -- Evanston Dance Ensemble — a pre-professional dance company in residence at Dance Center Evanston — is pleased to present “Ramble On: EDE Rocks,” an electrifying evening of dance inspired by the culture, attitude and expansive reach of rock and roll music. The shows will take place at the Josephine Louis Theater at Northwestern University from March 19 to 22. Tickets are $18 for children and seniors and $28 for adults.

The music will include a variety of ’70s-era bands, including classic rock groups such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Tina Turner and Janis Joplin, as well as more progressive and glam rock artists such as Pink Floyd and Elton John.

“I wanted to explore the topic of rock and roll music and celebrate how broad and far reaching this genre is. The playlist for the show gives a taste of the variety of styles that fit under this umbrella of rock music,” said Enid Smith, artistic director of the EDE.

This year’s show is being created by seven different choreographers including Smith, Assistant to the Director Macala Bartucci, EDE founding director Béa Rashid, EDE alum Ro Goodman, Dance Center Evanston instructors Kaleigh Dent and Julie Cartier, and guest choreographer Tori Isaac — all of whom are incorporating a variety of dance styles, such as contemporary, ballet, jazz, and tap.

For example, Smith and Goodman are choreographing a ballet piece to Elton John’s “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,” while Isaac is creating a tap piece set to music by Tina Turner. In one of the most unusual dances of the show, Dent will be creating a contemporary hip hop piece set to a medley of four different songs, showing how rock and roll progressed from Black blues and gospel music to the music we know of as rock today.

Another fun twist for this year’s show is the addition of drummer Robert Rashid, son of Béa Rashid, who will perform live on stage along with the recorded music. “I think the live drums are really going to add an energy to the show that will get people excited,” Smith said.

This year’s show will feature a cast of 34 dancers coming from five local high schools including Evanston Township High School, John Hersey High School, Northside College Prep, Lane Tech College Prep, and Glenbrook South High School.

And although the show will be filled with songs that are familiar classics to many adults, these songs are less familiar to the dancers.

“It’s fun that the kids are learning these songs that their parents are already familiar with,” Smith said. “I hope this show broadens their knowledge of this type of music and that when they hear these songs years from now they’ll have a joyful memory associated with this project.”

Tickets are on sale now at the Louis Theater box office. They can be purchased through the box office, over the phone at 847-491-7282 or online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/1771/production/1229955.

EVENT DETAILS

Ramble On: EDE Rocks!

The Evanston Dance Ensemble is diving into the archives. Join us as we explore the culture, attitude, and expansive reach of rock and roll music. Artistic Director Enid Smith and Assistant to the Director Macala Bartucci are joined by guests Kaleigh Dent, Julie Cartier, Tori Isaac, Ro Goodman, and EDE founding director Béa Rashid in this electrifying evening of dance.

When: March 19 at 7:30 p.m., March 20 at 7:30 p.m., March 21 at 10 a.m. (relaxed performance), March 21 at 1 p.m., March 22 at 1 p.m.

Where: Josephine Louis Theater, Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston, IL 60208

Info: (847) 491-7282 or tinyurl.com/EDE2026

Tickets: $28 for adults, $18 for children and seniors. The 10 a.m. performance on March 21 performance is $12 per person or $30 for a family of 3 or more.