The recent mainstream visibility of this West and South Side-born street dance is linked closely to The Era crew, which has taken the high-tempo, foot-flying form from alleyways to a broad range of venues and audiences: Pitchfork, Links Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art and international workshops—particularly in Japan, where Chicago Footwork has a devoted following. But the heart of the dance is in the neighborhoods, derived from Juke and shaped by youth over decades. In keeping tradition alive, The Era teaches with Open the Circle, a nonprofit that provides a safe place for kids to delve into entrepreneurship and social justice through the framework of Footwork culture: dance performance, DJing and filmmaking. More than twenty years old, Chicago Footwork saving lives and nurturing a new generation of artists. (Sharon Hoyer)
