ADCC sparkles in stage debut!

Sell-out crowd enjoys spectacular multimedia presentation

Beaming with pride and enthusiasm, the Armenian Dance Co. of Chicago’s debut stage production on June 26 marked one of the most joyful—and hopeful—presentations of Armenian culture in this area in years.  Flying in the face of gloomy forecasts for the vitality of an Armenian ethnic identity in the Midwest, more than 50 youth representing all facets of the community have formed an boundlessly energetic ensemble under the inspired direction of Karnig Kerkonian and his sister, Lara Kalayjian.

The dance company’s genuine camaraderie radiates from every step, every turn, every bounce, and every smile.  Not content to simply put their own spin on tracing the footsteps of their ancestors, this ensemble is clearly on the road to evolving a living art form of its own…jeweled with a rich and storied past, yet fuelled by a very contemporary creativity.  Collectively and individually each of the company members represents everything one could ever wish to see in a bright and shining prospect for the future for Armenian youth in America.

Inspired to tell the story of the pivotal role of the Armenian people in the capital of Christendom, ADCC’s stage performance combined vignettes of critical events in the history of Jerusalem with elegantly choreographed movements, all framed by giant visuals on a rear screen backdrop.   In scene after scene, the attention to detail caught the eye, such as the harmony between the colors in the beautiful costumes and the video scenery.  Their two-hour performance leapt by as if a dream, punctuated with the innocence of junior members as young as five, and a thoroughly amusing scene portraying a competition among young bachelors for a bride. Yet its conclusion, exhorting heartfelt concern for the future of an Armenian presence in the Holy City, reverberated with the very soul of our struggle to survive.  ADCC is clearly not your grandfather’s dance company.

If you were not among the more than 400 people who packed a capacity crowd at Northeastern Illinois University’s Auditorium Theatre for this joyful evening, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be notified when an encore performance will be scheduled.  Experiences like this are too good to be staged just once.

VANK Trailer Armenian Dance Company of Chicago