Archive: Performances and Events

The Walker’s annual dance showcase celebrates a half-century of works by Minnesota choreographers, offering an exciting glimpse into a vibrant and diverse community. For the 50th anniversary of Choreographers’ Evening, guest curators Alanna Morris and Judith Howard offer a program of works that honor and recognize the rich histories, vital contributions, and power of today’s movement innovators.

Featured choreographers for this year’s program are Aloe AoLiu, Romeo Cannady, Colin Edwards and Canaan Mattson, Elizabeth Flinsch, Averie Mitchell-Brown, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Kayla Schiltgen, Kristin Van Loon and J. H. Shuǐ Xiān, and Laurie Van Wieren. Join us for a remarkable evening highlighting the strength and exuberance of Minnesota dance.

The University of Minnesota’s University Dance Theatre will be performing CURRENTS at the Barbara Baker Center for Dance. This performance explores the currents of our lives and reveals belonging, tenderness, healing, disruption, reconciliation, and reflection.

In two premiere dance works, Cowles Visiting Artists Elayna Waxse and Taja Will explore the currents in their lives intertwined with the life stories of student dance artists.

Inspired by the one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, this delightful ballet tells the story of a little boy with a disability and his widowed mother, and their life-changing encounter with three kings following a star to Bethlehem. Its themes of faith, forgiveness, healing and compassion celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Conceived and choreographed by James Sewell, the 50-minute production uses several movement styles, including the visual/gestural style of American Sign Language. The choreographic combination of ASL with traditional ballet provides a visually compelling experience that holds special appeal and meaning for hearing and hearing impaired audiences. The Shepherd’s Dance section invites the participation of several additional cast members from the presenting community.

Presented as part of the Westminster Performing Arts Series.

The Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 evening shows include a Christmas Dinner.

St. Paul Ballet created a special edition for our return to the stage last year, the Best of The Nutcracker! Join us for sprinkles of seasonal magic and joy that will bring cheer to the whole family. Best of The Nutcracker will feature crowd favorites by Lirena Branitski including the Kingdom of the Snow from Act 1, as well as Spanish, Russian, and Waltz of Flowers from the Kingdom of Sweets along with excerpts from the Party Scene, guest appearances by CAAM Chinese Dance Theater and talented musicians from St. Paul Ballet who perform regularly in Minnesota.

This intimate jewel of a concert is lovingly designed for the audience as we all return to the theater. The performance is under 90 minutes including intermission and is a perfect way to introduce children (and children at heart) to the power and beauty of dance.

Ticket prices this year are Pay What You Can. All seats are assigned.

So, make time for joy this season!

December 2 at 7:00pm
December 3 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Introducing The Snow Queen! Travel to magical lands through this sparkling holiday production that will warm you from the inside out. From the screen to the stage, Ballet Co.Laboratory’s original 2020 ballet made for film will be transformed for the theater with newly expanded scenes and choreography. 

Join us December 2-4, 2022 at The Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts as we follow Gerda, a little girl filled with moxie on a quest to rescue her brother, whose heart has been frozen by an icy fragment from the Snow Queen’s enchanted mirror.

Tickets are available here.

Join Kayla and the artistic team for the virtual premiere of object permanence followed by a Q&A chat.

December 4 at 4:00pm via Zoom
Price: $15

object permanence is an act of curiosity pursuing my enduring wonder about visibility or lack thereof in a time of perpetual display. Object permanence is a concept studied in developmental psychology, it refers to the understanding that people, places, and things continue to exist even when they can no longer be sensed. I stumbled across this idea during my research, it captured my attention, and has since been revealing what it wants discovered through the creative journey of building this screendance.

Choreography, dance, cinematography, and editing: Kayla Schiltgen
Original composition and music: Dean Sibinski
Production assistance: Eric Elefson

Join us for our first TU Dance Winter Showcase and the inaugural performances of CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program – featuring works created by local and national guest artists for CULTIVATE, and for The School at TU Dance Center’s Pre-Professional Levels 4 and 5.

The CULTIVATE dancers will perform works by renowned choreographers Alanna Morris from I A.M. Arts and Gregory Dolbashian from The Dash Ensemble, while Levels 4 and 5 students will showcase works by New York choreographer Stephon Williams and also Alanna Morris. Let’s celebrate these inspiring dancers and their dedication!

December 9 and 10
Doors at 6:30pm. Show at 7:30pm
December 11
Doors at 1:00pm. Show at 2:00pm

To purchase tickets, click here!

Get the best seat in the house by securing your Who Brought the Humbug? tickets today!

Ricci Milan and the artists of Rhythm Street Movement are back December 9-18 with the fun, funky, hilarious show that pairs live music with amazing tap dance for a unique mix of comedy, drama, and mystery that’s sure to be a memorable evening for the whole family. This year Rhythm Street is bringing new music, new choreography, and new dancers to stage to help celebrate the holiday season!

Regular, in-person single tickets are $45. Student/senior tickets are $35.

Audiences are invited to boost their holiday cheer by getting close to the action at a front-row cabaret-style VIP table. VIP tickets will enjoy the performance with a complimentary sparkling drink, macarons from Nikkollette’s Macarons, and a more immersive experience.

Pay-As-You-Are tickets are available for our Saturday, December 17 matinee performance at 2:00pm.
Click here to learn more about our Pay-As-You-Are tickets.

Ballet Minnesota’s thirty-fourth annual The Classic Nutcracker returns to the O’Shaughnessy! Come celebrate this annual family holiday tradition this December 16-18!

For novices to the ballet, this holiday story begins on Christmas Eve. We join a young girl, Clara, her mischievous brother, Fritz, and their family hosting a Christmas party. A latecomer to the party is Clara’s mysterious godfather Drosselmeyer. He presents her with a marvelous gift, a nutcracker doll. As Clara goes to sleep that night, we are transported into her dream of the Rat King fighting the Nutcracker and his army of toy soldiers. The Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara through an enchanted snow-covered forest and on to his Kingdom of the Sweets where Clara accepts the throne from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Enjoy the return of this classic holiday favorite!

Tickets now on sale for HDC’s Clara in the City: A Nutcracker Tale!

Make the most of your holiday season: come see this lovely show sure to be a delight for people of all ages.

December 16 at 7:00pm
December 17 at 12:00pm and 6:00pm

At the  Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins
https://buy.tututix.com/hopkinsdancecompany