Butoh Curious Chi started as a passionate attempt to make something more collectively and experientially, gathering with specific regard and respect for the tradition of Butoh. This persistence to train in the modality and to raise awareness of the art and philosophy of Butoh created a space for Butoh Chicago to begin as a works-in-progress arts organization. We have entered our twelfth year of programming, all with Sensei (Master) led workshops and performance exchange at the root. We attempt to renegotiate terms of exchange not based on hierarchies or normative behavior, but with tenable respect for a culture of inclusivity, of all nations, creeds, and genders. We continue to learn and we grow.

We are human, and we are forever curious and grateful to our (in)humanity. We bring a sense of collective positive behavior to all we do.

“We built this city on rock and roll.” Starship / Jefferson Airplane

One by one, we made a triptych of “post-butoh” festivals: Spawned Seeds April 2014, SS2 in April 2015, and SS3: Battles in April 2017; a Non-Festival in 2019; three years of online programming from 2020 to 2023; and the production and organization of many happenings in-between and since, including Yelling at the Dark and ten episodes of Hot Mess! between 2020-23 at Elastic Arts Foundation. In 2024-5, we hosted Tadashi Endo, Joan Laage, and Min Yoon with workshops and student performances in AIRMW, Links Hall, and Movement on Montrose. Butoh Lovers Showcase was presented last year for two nights at Dovetail Studios, hosting artists from Atlanta, Washington, Oregon, and Baltimore, including many infamous locals as well. Always inclusive of Butoh Master and Butoh Curious artists alike, from here, there, and around the globe.

We love to participate in SideYard Sounds at Compound Yellow, Freedom From and Freedom To at Elastic Arts, performance pop-ups at No Nation, and many more. These gatherings continue to gather energy and momentum, and we are learning to deepen our roots even as new leaves emerge.

Through monthly classes and ongoing opportunities for training, performance, and collaborations, we open our arms to the community to outsider artists and immigrant peoples, for we are outsiders ourselves. We are in fact, improvising as we go, and realize ourselves to be capable of change at any moment, using our intuition, our sensations, our creative passion. We listen to people less fortunate than ourselves to guide our meaning and mission.

We thank many for support and donations and sponsorship and simply all the help and cheering. We are encouraged to continue and grow, to inspire that growth in our communities here and now.

We Are Change Agents. We stand with #LBTGQ #BlackLivesMatter #QueerPositive #HIVPositive #equalityforall #freethenipple #blackpower #peta #terrorismisnotareligion #pride #lgbtpride #smile  #entrepreneur #silencekills #endthehate #metoo #shatterthestigma #love #genderequality #raceequality #integration #humanrace #breakthesilence #artforacause  #dontjudge #youdoyou #prohuman #interraciallove #powertothepeople #revolutionaries #civilrights #intersectional #spreadlove #lovewins #HonorNativeLand

Some selected resources for dismantling racism:

FANTASY WORLD MASTER LIST OF RESOURCES ON HOW TO DISMANTLE SYSTEMIC RACISM
SAIC’s TOOLKIT for MOVEMENT BUILDING
Anti-racism Resource Guide by Tasha K 

We are allowing ourselves to be flexible, and maintain any of these archive to the best of our abilities. We are stewards of art and humanity; social health and change; we are foraging artists, human, and next iteration.

As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation, Butoh Curious Chi commits to open all public events and gatherings with a statement acknowledging the traditional Native lands on which we stand. Such statements become truly meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and sustained commitment. We therefore commit to move beyond words into programs and actions that fully embody a commitment to Indigenous rights and cultural equity for all.

Every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth.

We stand and live on the ancestral lands of the Miami (Myaamiaki)  Očhéthi Šakówiŋ “Seven Council Fires,”  Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi)  Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo)  Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) Peoria People. This land was stolen from them and they were treated with hostility and disrespect. We pay respects to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in a moment of silence to honor and reflect on the actions we have taken or endeavor to take in order to continue to uncover such truths.

Indigenous Nations, Pronunciations

Ojibwe (Anishinaabeg)
Pronounced Oh-JIB-way

Potawatomi (Bodéwadmiakiwen)
Pronounced Pot-tah-WAH-tah-mee

Odwa (Odawak)
Pronounced Oh-DAH-wah

Ho-Chunk (Hoocak) 
Pronounced ho-chunk

Kickapoo (Kiikaapoi)
Pronounced KICK-a-poo

Miami (Myaamiaki)
Pronounced My-Am-E

Peoria (Peouaroua)
Pronounced Pea-Or-E-ah