I first met Sansano when I was hanging out at Lou Conte Dance Studio, teaching modern dance classes and sneaking in to company class in the mornings with the Hubbard Street dancers. One of the company dancers under Jim Vincent, Gustavo created a zone of easy grace and calm around himself, and it was always an inspiration to be in class with him and see the nonchalance with which he approached even the most technically difficult material.

Now Sansano, 31, is bringing his unmistakable hipness and grace back to Chicago, where he’s been named artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater, filling the capable shoes of founder Eduardo Vilaro, who went to lead Ballet Hispanico in NYC. Sansano had already made a couple of lovely works for Luna before leaving Hubbard and heading to his homeland in Spain to pursue his choreographic career; he’s definitely new-school, imaginatively unformulaic and exuberant.

In a city that tends to be conservative about leadership changes, Sansano’s appointment at Luna is one of the most fresh and exciting things that has happened in Chicago dance in a long time. It’s obvious that as an organization, Luna is just as vibrant in the boardroom as it is onstage. Bravo.

The Seldoms, the modern dance company headed by choreographer Carrie Hanson, is having a big year. Not only is it debuting in the prestigious MCA Performances series in March, the ensemble is traveling to Isadora, the International Festival of Contemporary Dance in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in April to perform, teach and choreograph. The company web site has a great page with more info that allows you to donate to your favorite dancer. So far, the Seldoms have raised $3,500 of the $15,000 they need to make the jaunt, so dig deep dance lovers.

Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, in orange, rehearsed with Hubbard Street dancers in preparation for the premiere of his work, Bitter Suite, that took place October 1 at the Harris Theater.

Photos by Cheryl Mann

Ever-hip, dance-theater company The Seldoms know how to throw an artful and stylish party. After an in-gallery performance of works inspired by the current “Back to the Future” show up at the Loyola University Museum of Art (820 North Michigan Ave),  the company offers a soiree with cocktails sponsored by the Violet Hour, perhaps the most tasteful cocktail bar this side of the 1930’s.

The whole event, which starts at 6pm, also includes a post-performance discussion plus a chance to make your own painting. Tickets are $30, more info at theseldoms.org.

Zimbabwean choreographer Nora Chipaumire and filmmaker Danièle Wilmouth introduce the film NORA at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E Chicago Ave) TONIGHT (Tue 29) at 6pm. The screening and discussion take place in the MCA’s  ground-floor Kanter Meeting Center. The event is free with museum admission, which is $12, students or seniors  with ID $7.

NORA (by Alla Kovgan and David Hinton, 2008, 35 minutes) blends documentary realism with poetic dance images. Wilmouth and Chipaumire introduce the film and discuss how art and history interact from personal experience, exploring Chipaumire’s early years in Zimbabwe after the Chimurenga Chechipiri (or second war of liberation), to her present life as an artist working in New York.

With her tundra-white hair and friendly eyes, Maggie Kast is an easy-to-recognize and welcome presence in the audience at many modern-dance events. Active for more than 30 years in the city’s dance-scape as a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and teacher for many years, she turned her attention to writing about 14 years ago.

This Thursday 24 at 7:30pm, Kast looks back on her life in the arts as she reads from The Crack Between the Worlds, her just-published memoir of dance, family life and loss at Women & Children First bookshop, 5233 N Clark St. A reception follows.

Mark your calendar: The Irish American Heritage Center hosts a free celebration with live music and dance on Sunday 20 at 2pm for Kathleen M. Flanagan to launch her book, Steps in Time: The History of Irish Dance in Chicago (Macater Press).

We’re told: “In this first detailed history of Irish dance in the diaspora, Flanagan gives a fascinating account of the art form in one of its most important urban centers of practice: Chicago. Beginning with its appearance at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 to the emergence of world-renowned Chicago performers/choreographers such as Michael Flatley and Mark Howard, she describes the teachers, schools and performances that contributed to making the city an international center of Irish dance.”

Flanagan, an associate professor of theater and dance at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, is a Chicagoland native and registered Irish dance teacher (T.C.R.G.) with the Irish Dancing Commission, Dublin. She’ll read from her book, discuss Irish dance in Chicago and sign copies of her book.

The Irish American Heritage Center is located near Wilson Avenue and the Edens Expressway at 4626 North Knox. For more information, call 773-282-7035, or visit irish-american.org.

Visceral Dance, the three-studio complex at Elston and Western Aves opened by former Giordano dancer Nick Pupillo in October of 2007, is holding an open house on Saturday 15.

If you haven’t seen the place yet, here’s your no-risk chance to check it out: Visceral is offering free dance classes from 3–5pm, followed by a meet-and-greet reception. At 6pm, Visceral will officially launch its eponymous performing ensemble with an in-studio performance. The partying goes on until midnight, and it’s all free—although you might want to bring a little cash or your checkbook: The studio hopes to raise money with a silent auction and raffles during the event.

For more information, visit visceraldance.com or call 773-772-1771.

Spiritual teacher and mystic Gurdjieff, an intriguing figure on the world stage in the early 20th century, developed a style of sacred dance that is still being practiced by his followers today. The Chicago Moving Company is hosting a workshop in this material November 13–15; taught by James Tomarelli with musical accompanist Margaret Monsour. There are only 24 spaces in the workshop, which costs $200. You don’t have to be a dancer to learn these healing movements. For more information or to register, call 773-880-5402.

“Hubbard Street” means “Chicago dance” to many around the world. How did this happen? Because the hardworking troupe tours like crazy. The company has announced its tour dates and locations for 2009–2010, and it includes dates in the states of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina as well as the countries Chile, Holland and Germany.

For armchair adventure, follow the company’s exploits on recent tours via the dancer’s blog.

If you’re looking for a way to support Hubbard Street’s fine work here at home, consider attending the “Twilight on the Rooftop” wine-tasting benefit taking place August 19 on the roof of the East Bank Club. R.S.V.P. for “Twilight on the Rooftop.”