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Identity Performing Arts celebrates five years as a dance company embracing artistic innovation, collaboration and community at their Fifth Anniversary Gala at MCA Chicago's Edlis Neeson Theater, 220 E. Chicago Ave., 3-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The event will begin with a performance at 3 p.m. followed by an onsite reception from 5-7:30 p.m. featuring delicious savories, sweets, and libations and the opportunity to meet the choreographer and dancers for a champagne toast. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the company and their programs.

"This gala is both a reflection on how far Identity Performing Arts has come and a celebration of what lies ahead for us," says Ginny Ching-Yin Lo, Identity's founder and director. "I'm especially honored to share the world premiere of our newest full company work, featuring our remarkable dancers, with the many creative partners, friends and supporters who have helped the company to achieve this milestone year. They have been and will continue to be an important source of inspiration and support as we move forward into an exciting new chapter."

A highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of "Untitled Identity" choreographed by company founder and artistic director Ginny Ching-Yin Lo to music by German musician Pyrolator. "Untitled Identity" looks at how identity shifts over time—how it expands, contracts, and reveals unexpected layers. Through movement, the piece explores the tension between outside perceptions and inner understanding, offering a fresh perspective on what identity can mean.

The program also features two works from the company's repertoire, choreographed by Lo:
• "Enliven" (2023). This vibrant blend of East and West influences celebrates the individuality, shared energy and dynamic spirit of Identity Performing Arts' ensemble. Buzz News calls it, "a unique and uplifting multi-media experience."  
• "Muted" (2024). This full company work features a thoughtful look at silence, boundaries, and connection reflects on communication—what we say, what we don't and what we express without speaking. See Chicago Dance describes it as "an intriguing shadowy world of silence."

Performing will be ensemble members Vanessa Bonilla, Josephine Castillo, Lorelai Delano, Mark Gonzalez, Amelia Harris, Audrey Hartnett, Wilson Hicken, Mollyanne Nunn, Emma Raney, Hanley Simpson and Tiana Thompson. They will be joined by Kaleigh Dent, a Chicago-based dance artist, choreographer and dance educator; and Kaelen Gouveia of Hedwig Dances.

Gala tickets are $100. For tickets or additional information visit IdentiyPerformingArts.org.

Lead Sponsors for Identity Performing Arts' Fifth Anniversary Gala are Dr. Philip Wong and Martina Keller & Don McLellan.

About Ginny Ching-Yin Lo:

Lo choreographs dance that represents her lived experiences as a Chinese-American artist and woman of faith; her works are a testament to the beauty that comes from staying true to all of the pieces of her personal history and identity. Lo has performed her original works in the U.S., China, France, and Germany and has been creating dance works for Identity Performing Arts since starting the company. Her co-choreographed work "Identically Dissimilar" was nominated for the Chicago Dance Achievement Awards in 2004. In 2024 Lo led the Identity Performing Arts to the opening night of the Seattle International Dance Festival and, in 2022 and 2026, to Hanover, Germany. Lo holds a BA in Dance from Columbia College and an MA in communication & culture from Trinity International University. She has also served as a panelist speaker for "Culture and The City" for the Northwestern University undergraduate department.

About Identity Performing Arts:

Established in 2016 by founder and artistic director, Ginny Ching-Yin Lo, Identity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance organization dedicated to dance education. The commitment is to sharing identity through dance so that members of the Chicago community who share those experiences feel acknowledged, valued, and represented. 

In 2021, the organization transited into a full-season contemporary dance company, presenting its inaugural live concert that fall. Identity is one of the resident companies of Visceral Dance Center. The company began with three dancers and has since grown to 10. In 2022 Identity hosted its first Elpis Dance Festival in Chicago and has continued to do so for the past three years. All works created for and performed by Identity dancers express the beauty of our individual identities, interconnected in unity. For more information about Identity Performing Arts visit IdentiyPerformingArts.org .

Identity Performing Arts acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.