SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Presents ?A Superior Stroll,? An Exclusive Preview Night To Benefit River North Chicago Dance Company, 10/6

SOFA CHICAGO 2009, the critically acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair returning to Navy Pier’s FestivAl Hall this November to showcase three-dimensional masterworks from top international galleries and dealers, proudly presents A Superior Stroll: A SOFA CHICAGO Sneak Preview Benefitting River North Chicago Dance Company, Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Proceeds from the evening benefit River North Chicago Dance Company. This exclusive preview event takes place at three galleries on Superior Street in the River North Gallery District, and includes complimentary wine and appetizers. Tickets are on sale now, and are $25 in advance at www.rivernorthchicago.com or $30 at the door.

Held at three galleries in the world-renowned River North Gallery District, “A Superior Stroll” offers guests the opportunity to walk between Perimeter Gallery (210 W. Superior Street), Ann Nathan Gallery (212 W. Superior Street) and  Ken Saunders Gallery (230 W. Superior Street) to preview amazing art, sculpture and objects, many of which will be on offer at SOFA CHICAGO 2009, Nov. 5 – 8. Chicago-based artist Jeff Forsythe will be on hand at Perimeter Gallery to mingle with guests and discuss his cutting-edge artwork to be featured at Perimeter’s booth at SOFA CHICAGO 2009. River North Chicago Dance Artistic Director Frank Chaves will also be on hand, to discuss the highly anticipated world premiere of his new work “Forbidden Boundaries,” which will be performed at the Harris Theater Nov. 5 and 7.

Additionally, Ken Saunders Gallery will have a group show on display during “A Superior Stroll” that features numerous artists to be exhibited at SOFA CHICAGO 2009 in November, including Rick Beck, Jose Chardiet, Sidney Hutter, John Kuhn, Dante Marioni, Jay Musler, Mark Peiser, Stephan Powell, Richard Royal, Thomas Scoon and Paul Stankard.

Ann Nathan Gallery will feature works by master craftsman and custom furniture maker Jim Rose, as well as contemporary paintings, sculpture and artist-made furniture by established and emerging artists in all media. Since 1982, Ann Nathan Gallery has had a major focus on realism, in addition to sculpture, functional art furniture and selective African tribal art.

SOFA CHICAGO is the longest continuously running art fair in Chicago, debuting at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in 1994, with 58 exhibitors and 14,000 people attending. In 1995, SOFA CHICAGO moved to FestivAl Hall at Chicago's historic Navy Pier. Since then, this pioneering fair has grown steadily in the number of exhibitors, averaging approximately 100 galleries and dealers in recent years, and attendance has increased more than 100 percent. A record 35,000 people attended SOFA CHICAGO in 2008 and the fair was marked by brisk sales to museums, art advisors, interior designers and architects as well as both seasoned and new collectors.

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 will be presented in Navy Pier’s FestivAl Hall, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Nov. 5 - 8. Tickets for the Opening Night Party on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. are $50. Fair hours are Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for single day general admission and $25 for a three-day pass. Discounted student, senior and group tickets are available. Catalogs are $15. For general information, please visit sofaexpo.com; call 800.563.SOFA (7632) or 773.506.8860; or email info@sofaexpo.com.

Founded in 1989 by four visionary dancers/choreographers, River North Chicago Dance Company (RNCDC) has established itself as one of Chicago’s leading dance companies, receiving critical acclaim on a national and international level.  Under the direction of Artistic Director Frank Chaves, the jazz-based contemporary company embodies a true flavor of “Americana” in their dynamic repertoire.  Elements of River North Chicago include highly skilled and emotive dancers, stimulating music, and bold, commanding choreography. The core works developed by Frank Chaves, along with an array of pieces by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers, construct the varied, eclectic and powerful repertoire that River North Chicago possesses.  For more information on the Company, log on to www.rivernorthchicago.com.

RNCDC’s “Sweet Dreams” annual benefit celebration begins at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr., Thursday, Nov. 5 with a spectacular performance at 6 p.m. The performance features “Forbidden Boundaries,” a world premiere by Frank Chaves, as well as the world premiere of “Evolution of a Dream” by Sherry Zunker, which is a re-envisioning of the Company’s signature work “Reality of a Dreamer” originally choreographed Zunker in 1992.  Following the performance, the festivities continue at the Fairmont Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom, 200 N. Columbus Dr., with cocktails, silent auction, dinner and dancing. The “Sweet Dreams” anniversary theme plays on the title of the song used in Sherry Zunker’s “Reality of a Dreamer” (1992), which recognizes the company’s achievements during the last two decades, and looks to the future where more dreams are to be realized.  Tickets for the evening are $300 per ticket. Guests under 35 may purchase specially priced tickets at $175. For tickets and event information, call 312.321.6867 or visit www.rivernorthchicago.com.

Due to the enormous achievements over the past 20 years, RNCDC expands its 2009/2010 programming to include a special fall engagement at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. In addition to the new work by Artistic Director Frank Chaves and Zunker’s new twist on “Reality of a Dreamer,” last season’s hit “Uhuru” by Company member Monique Haley returns to the stage. “Habaneras, the Music of Cuba,” choreographed by Frank Chaves in 2005, rounds out the program. Tickets are $30 - $65. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 312.234.7777 or visit www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Image: Jeff Forsythe, “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” Represented by Perimeter Gallery