Save the (lunch) date

Today I had the great good fortune to spend my lunch hour at Harris Theater. Danceworks Chicago and human beatbox Yuri Lane put on an amazing performance while I and several hundred others dined and noshed. Lest you think we were being rude, we were there for Eat To The Beat - an event where you're actually invited to eat - in a theater - while people are dancing - for $5. If you forgot your lunch you could even pick one up in the lobby for $10.

If you missed it, mark your calendar for February 23. That's the next Eat To The Beat, and this one will again feature Danceworks Chicago. In an interesting twist, they're inviting Chicago musicians, DJs, and spoken word artists to create the "soundscape" for Alex Ketley's If Ever (An Ocean) Relinquished. The winning piece will be presented during the Eat To The Beat performance, and the artist will receive $250 and two United tickets to anywhere in the continental US.

Take a look at the dance and then submit your soundscape by January 15. Complete details are on the Danceworks Chicago website.

Choreography looking for Soundtrack - AVI File from Andreas Böttcher on Vimeo.

If you do plan on going to the next one, a couple of things to note: the performance starts at noon and ends about 12:40 followed by Q&A, so if you only have an hour just leave the office a little before 12 and you'll get to see the whole dance. Also, remember you're eating in a theater, so bring a lunch that doesn't require two utensils.