Inaugural MIDWEST robot & animation dance EXPERIENCE

Devil’s in the details

September 20 - 21, 2025

FEATURED ARTISTS

  • Prototype

    JUDGE

  • Keumsae

    JUDGE

  • Tea-Buggz

    JUDGE

  • Sid Tucky

    DJ

  • Rio McFly

    MC

REGISTRATION

  • Both spectators and competitors must purchase either General Admission or VIP tickets. General Admission is $40 and includes standing room and floor seating. VIP tickets are $75 and includes reserved seating. VIP tickets have limited availability on a first come, first serve basis. You can purchase your tickets here.

    If you are competing in the 1v1 battle, proceed to Step 2 for registration. If you are not competing, but would like to attend the workshops, proceed to Step 3.

  • If you are competing in the 1v1 battle, please pre-register here.

    Registration is required to check in for prelims. We strongly encourage pre-registering to save time at the door.

  • Tickets for workshops will be available for sale soon.

Schedule

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Location: The Sanctuary, Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S Ashland Ave

Doors Open: 2 PM

Prelims Start: 3 PM

Main Event Start: 5 PM

SUNDAY, September 21

Location: The Puzzle Box, 3360 N Elston Ave

Workshops: 12 - 6 PM

  • Battle Rules

    Top 16: ROBOT/ANIMATION 101

    2 ROUNDS, 1.5 MINUTES EACH

    Round 1: Character

    Demonstrate your unique character and how you approach robot/animation.

    Round 2: Textures

    Demonstrate mastery over multiple textures such as dime stops, bounces, ticking, sinbadding, and vibrations.

  • Battle Rules

    TOP 8/TOP 4: RANDOMIZED CONCEPTS

    2 ROUNDS, 2 MINUTES EACH

    Each round, you’ll be given a surprise concept drawn from one of four hats.

    Your challenge is to take the idea and run with it. Explore, experiment, and show how far you can push the concept.

    Concepts may repeat across the bracket, but not everyone will get the same ones.
    Both dancers in the same battle will use the same concepts.

  • Battle Rules

    CONCEPT HATS

    TOP 8

    Round 1:

    Musical Layers
    Misdirection
    Groove

    Round 2:

    Weight & Gravity
    Patience
    Speed Changes

  • Battle Rules

    CONCEPT HATS

    TOP 4

    Round 1:

    Micro
    Broken Frame
    Levels/360

    Round 2:

    Malfunctions
    Cause & Effect
    Object Oriented

  • Battle Rules

    TOP 2: COMPETITORS/JUDGE’S SELECTION

    3 ROUNDS, 2 MINUTES EACH

    Round 1: Competitor 1’s Choice

    Round 2: Competitor 2’s Choice

    Round 3: Judge’s Choice

    The judges and each competitor will have the chance to pick a concept from the remaining unused concepts.

Donate

Devil’s in the Details is Chicago’s first festival dedicated to the art of robot and animation dance—styles born from Black street performance traditions and shaped by the technology of their time. This two-day event blends dance battles, workshops, live music, and technology demonstrations to celebrate the deep creativity, cultural legacy, and evolution of these styles.

From busking-inspired showcases to a concept-driven battle, Devil’s in the Details offers a one-of-a-kind platform for dancers to explore, innovate, and share their craft. Your support helps us preserve the roots of robot and animation, invest in artist development, and make this cultural experience accessible to more people.

Help us build the future by donating today.