UPTOWN — Dancers clad in colorful tutus have been waltzing away on rooftops in Uptown this week.
Wednesday was Wake Up! Waltz's third showing in the neighborhood after a debut performance Monday morning atop 4660-68 N. Broadway and 4635-41 N. Broadway, between the Wilson and Lawrence Red Line stops.
The performance is aimed at commuters, with hopes of helping them "break out of the routines that we live in and see the world in new ways," according to Josie Davis, the artist behind the project. Logan Square and South Shore are other participating 'hoods.
When she was first seeking neighborhoods to host the project and contacting various alderman and chambers of commerce in the city, Uptown was one of the most responsive communities, Davis said.
"I think it's a very forward-thinking neighborhood in regards to arts and culture and revitalization," Davis said.
She said the response to the performances has been "incredible."
"The dancers themselves are really enjoying being away from the stage and away from the studio and dancing in the morning sunlight. And I think the audience itself — commuters — are really shocked and surprised in a positive way."
One commuter said she hadn't heard about Wake Up! Waltz, but was pleasantly surprised to see the colorfully dressed dancers twirling on the rooftops as her southbound train lurched by.
"You don't see something like this every day," the woman said. "But maybe you should."
