This Groundhog's Day, celebrate the release of Rebirth & Regeneration, an audio piece created by Groundhog and his crew, MDK. Groundhog--who takes his name from legendary Tap Dancer Earl “Groundhog” Basie--channels the jazz-era dancer and transforms his identity, following the lead of the muse. Groundhog and MDK will guide the audience through their story with Dialogue, Tap Dancing, Rapping, Break Dancing, Beat Boxing, and more. You've never seen original elements of American Culture like this before.
Groundhog is a Spiritual Traveler, Tap Dancer, Writer, Emcee, DJ, B-Boy, Choreographer and Director. The original Earl “Groundhog” Basie was a Tap Dancer from the Jazz Era. This Groundhog is a reimagined interpretation of who he would be today, with a new vessel to guide his journey. Since his initial rebirth, Groundhog has made several audio, video, and performance appearances.
Groundhog has presented his work at Revolution Brewery, Stage 773, and, most recently, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. He is also one of the recipients of the New England Foundation for the Arts and Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s Regional Dance Development Initiative.
Groundhog’s mission, in the spirit of the Hoofers, is to give a voice to the unspoken, overlooked, and underground in general. He has set out to shed new light on the “poor righteous hoofer” as well as the DJ, Beat-Boxer and B-Boy, who have all taken a backseat to the rappers of the day. All in all, Groundhog is here to represent something greater than himself.
High Concept Labs (HCL) supports artists and facilitates dialogue between artists, audiences, and staff. This increases access and transparency to the artistic process and fosters transformational experiences in an environment of experimentation and discovery.
HCL is supported in part by the generosity of The National Endowment for the Arts, The Chicago Community Trust, The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Chicago Dancemakers Forum, The Martha Struthers Farley and Donald C. Farley, Jr. Family Foundation, N.A., The Norwottock Charitable Trust, The Samuel J. Baskin Charitable Trust, Mana Contemporary Chicago, and individual donors.