Élan Dance Company brings dance to the community

Created on Tuesday, 06 November 2012 11:20

Written by Sue Omanson

Recent performances
Those who ventured out on a chilly evening for the SCARE-illon on October 27, or attended the All Hallows Eve event at Naper Settlement the previous weekend were treated to a Halloween surprise: a special performance by Élan Dance Company, themed for the season.

The audience looks on as Élan Dance Company performs at the SCARE-illon on Oct. 27, 2012

Dancers from  Élan Dance Company in costume for their performance at Naper Settlement. Photo by Melissa Sallée.

The dancers are experienced in adapting to unusual performance venues, having danced previously at Carillon summer recitals, on an athletic field at Nike Sports Complex, on a stage at Butterprint Farm in rural Illinois, and in front of a sculpture exhibit at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City.

Élan Dance Company at the Carillon for an August 2012 performance.


August 2012 performance at the Millennium Carillon

Dancing to live music is somewhat novel to the company, especially dancing to an instrument such as the Carillon, with the sound of the bells affected by distance from the stage, winds, and other outdoor conditions. To the audience, the dancing fit perfectly with the dark, mysterious music of the SCARE-illon, and was a delightful addition to the concert.

Upcoming November performances

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, a group of dancers from Élan Dance Company will give a brief performance at the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners meeting. State Representative Darlene Senger will present a grant check to the Park District from the Illinois Arts Council for operating support of Élan Dance Company. The grant supports the company’s outreach activities, original choreography, and comprehensive training of young artists.

The weekend of November 17 and 18 will be a full one for Élan Dance Company, starting with a performance at the Fox Valley Dance Showcase at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 at Metea Valley High School. Tickets are $8.00 and may be purchased at the school box office the day of the show. On Sunday, November 18 Élan will perform at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m. at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The fair runs Nov. 17 and 18, featuring the Young Inventors Challenge, a Star Wars lunch and performances by Radio Disney and is the largest public toy and game event in the nation. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, with free admission for children under age 3.  Scouts in uniform, military, teachers and librarians are also admitted free of charge.

Finally, by special invitation Élan Dance Company’s Senior Company members will perform “Forward,” a piece choreographed by Melissa Sallée, at 7:00 p.m. on November 30 at the “Art for Life” event hosted by the Northern Illinois University Dance Department at DeKalb High School.  For further details regarding attending this performance, contact Dance Coordinator Avery Sipla at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

2011 performance at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana

Support Élan Dance Company
The Naperville Park District is proud of Élan Dance Company and wishes them a successful 2012-2013 artistic season. We hope that you will have a chance to see one of their performances. Additionally, you can support their work by participating in their holiday fundraisers, while taking care of some of your gift shopping at the same time.