RICHARD DAYHOFF

Dance for Life’s 35th Anniversary. “Renewed” Finale by Randy Duncan. Costumes designed by Richard Dayhoff. Photo by Cheryl Mann

Happy Oprah Day! Oprah debuted her Talk Show September 8, 1986 Here is my second guest appearance when she hosted AM Chicago Oprah Oprah Daily ABC 7 Chicago

On August 22, 2026, nearly 2,000 community members joined together from all across the country to celebrate Chicago Dance Health Fund’s Dance for Life and its monumental 35th Anniversary.

This year’s benefit honored lifelong visionary Randy Duncan for his 35 years of service and vision.
Costumes by Richard Dayhoff, Photo by Michelle 🖤

35TH ANNUAL DANCE FOR LIFE SATURATED WITH EXCELLENCE Written by Mitchell Oldham
This year’s concert honors choreographer, mentor and teacher Randy Duncan.  Mr. Duncan has created most DFL closing works since its inception, including Renewed; this year’s finale. Made up of dancers from the night’s performing companies, freelancers and students, they comprise a large contingent.  And in the muteness of Richard Dayhoff’s quiet gray costumes, there was a somber cast that shadowed their numbers. 
As the dance developed and took shape to music and lyrics by Ira Antelis, you could see the themes of resilience and positive conviction shining through.  A rejoicing in emerging from darkness to thrive once again.  The essence of Dance for Life. https://buzznews.net/dance/upcoming-dance/item/6651-35th-annual-dance-for-life-saturated-with-excellence.html

See Chicago Dance “Dance for Life” and the Labor of Caring for One Another - By Rachel Benzing. An accumulated sense of connection, separation, history and resilience culminates in the finale by Randy Duncan, “Renewed.” Preluded by a short video honoring Duncan’s career and his contributions to “Dance for Life,” his musical partner Ira Antelis informs the audience that this work is autobiographical for Duncan. It begins with a soloist performing longing and extended movements to song lyrics that depict someone who has gone through hardship and yearns to arise from their woe. The music expands into an upbeat pop and R&B tune as the ensemble enters, and we see the soloist dancing with vigor as they cease looking backward and start finding the strength to move forward, surrounded by a cohort of dancers from across Chicago. Its message becomes a direct encapsulation of “Dance for Life” itself: the individual may face hardship, but they do not have to face it alone.
“Dance for Life” is more than a celebration of Chicago dance. The artists are giving their labor to support artists who need assistance, revealing both the generosity of the community and the precarious conditions that make that generosity necessary. The event cannot solve the structural problems of healthcare or the gig economy, but for one night it creates an alternative model: artists caring for artists, with the labor of their bodies transformed into tangible support for someone else’s life.
Photo: Dominick Brown (principal dancer) (Costume designer Richard Dayhoff) and Randy Duncan. Photo by Todd Rosenberg

See Chicago Dance
“Dance for Life” and the Labor of Caring for One Another BY RACHEL BENZING An accumulated sense of connection, separation, history and resilience culminates in the finale by Randy Duncan, “Renewed.” Preluded by a short video honoring Duncan’s career and his contributions to “Dance for Life,” his musical partner Ira Antelis informs the audience that this work is autobiographical for Duncan. It begins with a soloist performing longing and extended movements to song lyrics that depict someone who has gone through hardship and yearns to arise from their woe. The music expands into an upbeat pop and R&B tune as the ensemble enters, and we see the soloist dancing with vigor as they cease looking backward and start finding the strength to move forward, surrounded by a cohort of dancers from across Chicago. Its message becomes a direct encapsulation of “Dance for Life” itself: the individual may face hardship, but they do not have to face it alone. Costumes by Richard Dayhoff Photo by Cheryl Mann

See Chicago’s top dancers defy gravity in athletic ‘Dance for Life’ showcase
The annual “greatest hits” of Chicago dance raises money for a health care fund for performers and features many of the city’s standout dance talents. Chicago’s 35th “Dance for Life” showcase was marked by numerous lifts, leaps and leg extensions at The Auditorium on Saturday. The ensemble lifts a dancer during “Renewed,” the “Dance for Life” finale piece choreographed by Randy Duncan. The number was a display of contemporary and African dance-inspired styles, technical precision and joy. By Erica Thompson. Photo by Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times. Costumes designed by Richard Dayhoff

RICHARD DAYHOFF X ZEGLIO AUTUMN WINTER 26 Relaxed sophistication to a contemporary, ultra-lightweight silhouette. A contemporary jacket redefining sophistication with its super lightweight construction. It boasts a soft shoulder design without padding or rollino, offering unparalleled comfort and ease of movement. By Appointment Only - DM me for more details RICHARD DAYHOFF

THE CUTTING EDGE OF CHICAGO DESIGN RDarchive 1987

Back Then. RICHARD DAYHOFF SS88