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 only. 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 and tech demos, 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 and tech demos 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 & Tech Demos: 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, a random concept will be drawn from 1 of 4 hats.

    In order to survive, you must demonstrate mastery and push creatively within the topic provided. Both dancers in the same battle will use the same concept.

    Concepts may repeat across the bracket, but not everyone will get the same ones.

  • 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: CHOOSE THE CONCEPTS

    3 ROUNDS, 2 MINUTES EACH

    Round 1: Finalist 1’s Choice

    Round 2: Finalist 2’s Choice

    Round 3: Judges’ Choice

    The judges and competitors will choose concepts from the remaining concepts that neither finalist used.

FAQ’s

Event details

  • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

    Doors open at 2 PM. Battle registration and check in will close promptly at 3 PM—late arrivals will not be permitted to compete. Prelims will begin shortly after check in closes. The main event, including the Top 16 battles and showcases, will kick off at 5 PM.

    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

    We recommend arriving at least ten minutes before the start of workshops and technology demonstrations to allow time for check in.

  • General Admission – $40
    Includes standing room and floor seating only. Advance purchase is required for both spectators and competitors.

    VIP – $75
    Includes reserved seating with prime viewing. Ideal for those looking to comfortably spectate. Availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Workshops & Tech Demos – $50–150
    Pricing varies by bundle and registration date:

    Early Bird (before September 5):

    • $50 per workshop & tech demo bundle

    • $125 for all three workshops & tech demos

    General Admission (after September 5):

    • $60 per workshop & tech demo bundle

    • $150 for all three workshops & tech demos

  • All tickets must be purchased online in advance. General Admission and VIP tickets can be paid for with debit or credit.

    For workshops and tech demos, we accept debit, credit, and PayPal when registering online. If space remains, we may offer limited onsite registration for workshops and tech demos. Onsite payment options will include Venmo, cash, debit, and credit. Please note that capacity is limited and online registration may sell out, so we strongly encourage purchasing in advance to secure your spot.

    Payment methods for onsite vendors may vary. Most vendors are expected to accept debit, credit, and cash.

  • All tickets must be purchased online in advance. If you plan to compete in the 1v1 battle, onsite registration will be available until 3 PM, however, we strongly encourage pre-registering to streamline your check in process.

  • All tickets are generally nonrefundable, but transfers to another attendee may be possible. To transfer General Admission or VIP tickets, please contact info@epiphanychi.com. For workshops and tech demos, contact us on Instagram @shadowpuppetzcrew or via email at shadowpuppetzcrew@gmail.com. If there is a waitlist, we may be able to issue a refund by finding someone to take your spot. Please note that ticket transfers are not guaranteed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Lodging & Transportation

  • PRELIMS, BATTLES, & SHOWCASES: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

    Epiphany Art Center, 201 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

    Nearby bus stops include Ashland & Adams, Madison & Ashland, and Van Buren & Ashland. The closest train stations are Racine (Blue Line) and Ashland (Pink and Green Lines). Attended parking is available at nearby garages located at 1608 W Adams and 1640 W Jackson Blvd, along with ample metered street parking surrounding the venue.

    WORKSHOPS & TECH DEMOS: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

    The Puzzle Box Dance Studio, 3360 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

    The nearest bus stop is Belmont & Sacramento, and the closest train station is Belmont on the Blue Line. Free street parking is available near the venue.

  • For convenient access to both venues, we recommend staying in or near the following neighborhoods: West Loop, South Loop, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Upper North. These areas offer a range of accommodation options and are well-connected by public transit.

Other

  • Free water will be available each day of the event. On Saturday, a full bar will open after 5 PM, offering drinks and food for purchase. Both venues are also located near a variety of restaurants and food options within walking or driving distance.

  • All battles and performances will be filmed and uploaded to our YouTube channel within one week after the event. Professional photos will also be taken throughout the weekend and made available for download following the event.

  • Weapons, illegal drugs, outside food or beverages, and professional cameras or recording equipment are not permitted inside the venue.

  • Smoking is not permitted anywhere on venue property, including the outdoor courtyard. If you wish to smoke, you must exit through the front entrance and remain at least 15 feet away from the building. Re-entry will be permitted.

  • This event is open to all ages. Children 12 and under receive free entry if they are not competing. Please note that the event is not specifically designed for children, so parental discretion is advised. Attendees under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

    A valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID is required for all attendees upon entry. Guests 21 and over will receive a wristband to purchase and consume alcohol, which will be available on Saturday evening.

Still have questions? Contact us on Instagram @shadowpuppetzcrew or email us at shadowpuppetzcrew@gmail.com.

Donate

Devil’s in the Details is Chicago’s first festival dedicated to 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 street performance-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.