IMPORTANT MEMO: Alvin Ailey in Chicago until Sunday, March 9th at The Auditorium Theatre!
Catch four new works never performed on a Chicago stage. Each piece is highly technical and micro-choreographed. Artistic director as of 2011, Robert Battle is leading the company in a direction that demands perfection and superhuman physical control. The dancers, as always, are more than prepared to exceed our expectations.
It’s not yet Thursday, but here’s a throwback from our super exclusive file. I had the chance to sit with Akua Noni Parker, dancer for Alvin Ailey and currently performing in the Chicago premier of Chroma (check her out in our featured image above!). Here Akua gives us some perspective on the Chicago fashion scene through the eyes of a New York-er and shares her thoughts on which city really is dominating the shopping game.
Out of every city in the world, where is your favorite place to shop?
It’s a tie between London and Paris. Before Topshop or Mango even hit the states I discovered them in London and fell in love. I shopped my butt off the first time I found those stores! Any chain store that’s made it to the states, I find the quality to be better in London.
Paris is a thrift shoppers dream. It’s amazing! There’s a chain vintage store where they take pieces and redesign them. I’ve left there with bags and bags of clothing. Shopping vintage, and especially redesigned pieces, is the only way to guarantee no one will be wearing the same thing you’re wearing.
Do you consider Chicago to be a fashionable city?
I think that no matter where you are there is always someone whose fashion will catch your eye. As I was leaving Palmer House, I just saw a girl with the most amazing coat! It was blowing in the wind, her shoes were on point. I had to tell her, “Girl! You are doing that”! Is Chicago fashion forward in my opinion? I would have to say no. I’m being honest. But every city has their fashionista.
For more from this exclusive interview with Chicagoings.com, click here!
Featured image: www.alvinailey.org