In an effort to attract new audience members, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance has been working to develop programs that draw from the thousands of working professionals in the loop.

Premiering this Thursday is a spinoff of the successful lunchtime series Eat to the Beat. Artist-y types have really gotten behind the series that brings together local food trucks and local dance companies – as they should! The business-y people seem to like it to, and the Harris recently announced that Crain’s Chicago Business will act as the season sponsor for the event.

Essentially, the spinoff series takes a really good idea (food on lower Randolph and a short dance show), and makes it better by adding cocktails. Plus, the happy hour time slot means it’s possible for those of us who don’t work downtown to join the fun more frequently. Bringing a sense of community to the loop isn’t easy, but the Harris has certainly got the right idea.

The inaugural Eat (and Drink) to the Beat kicks off with DanceWorks Chicago, in its first performance since the tragic event that took the life of DWC dancer Marco Huicochea-Gonzalez. In what should be a lively and upbeat performance, Eat (and Drink) to the Beat is likely to be a wonderful way to honor Marco’s memory and support this excellent group of dancers.

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Eat (and Drink) to the Beat kicks off Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Dr.) at 5:00pm. DanceWorks Chicago performs at 5:30pm. Tickets are $5; subscriptions for the rest of the 2013-2014 Eat to the Beat series are $20, available at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, or by calling the Box Office at 312.334.7777.