Archive: Performances and Events

You are invited to “The Mini-Nutcracker,” a delightful abbreviated version of Twin Cities Ballet’s classic, A Minnesota Nutcracker. “The Mini-Nutcracker” is designed to introduce children to the magic of the family favorite.

This beloved holiday tradition with soaring music by Tchaikovsky promises to hold the attention of even the youngest theatergoer. Suitable for all ages, this version is less than an hour and is performed by cast members of Twin Cities Ballet’s full-length production. A perfect holiday treat!

Tuesday, November 30 at 11:00am and 6:00pm
$12-$15

About Twin Cities Ballet: Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota (TCB) is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional ballet company located in the South Metro. Our mission is to make ballet approachable, relatable and fun through innovative, professional and original productions.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Photo credit: Brianne Bland

TCB’s beloved holiday classic with a Minnesota twist returns to Ames Center this December! This production retains all the magic and traditions of the classic Nutcracker ballet, but features Minnesota settings with stunning, custom-designed, Minnesota-centric backdrops, and offers audience members something truly unique: a connection to home. Deemed one of the 12 essential holiday events by MPR, A Minnesota Nutcracker is delightful entertainment for the whole family! 

This year also includes the launch of Twin Cities Ballet’s new sensory-relaxed performance series, the first of its kind in Minnesota. These performances are designed to be more accessible for persons with sensory sensitivities and families with young children through relaxed theater rules and modified sensory elements. We are thrilled to be able to share the love of ballet with people who may experience difficulties in a regular performance setting. 

In addition, TCB is offering a one-hour Mini-Nutcracker at Lakeville Area Arts Center on November 30. This short and sweet version is a perfect way to introduce young children to the magic of Nutcracker!

Thursday, December 9 at 10:15am – sensory-relaxed show
Friday, December 10 at 7:00pm
Saturday, December 11 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, December 12 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm

Tickets: in person at Ames Center, or via Ticketmaster.

About Twin Cities Ballet: Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota (TCB) is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional ballet company located in the South Metro. Our mission is to make ballet approachable, relatable and fun through innovative, professional and original productions.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The Classic Nutcracker returns to the stage for it’s 33rd production.

After a year away from the stage, Ballet Minnesota is thrilled to present The Classic Nutcracker this December 18-19 at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see Artistic Director Andrew Rist’s original choreography to the beautiful score by Tchaikovsky! This family favorite has something magical in store for everyone who attends this dazzling production. Follow Clara as she receives an enchanting Nutcracker who comes to life right before your eyes! He guides her on a whimsical journey that culminates in meeting the charming and sparkling Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, who present Clara with delightful dances from their Land of Sweets.

Come celebrate the magical holiday season by coming to Ballet Minnesota’s The Classic Nutcracker. Tickets on sale now at the O’Shaughnessy Box Office.

Collide Theatrical presents Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
October 7–24, 2021 at the Southern Theater
With a virtual performance available Halloween weekend!

The ultimate story about a human’s need for motherly love and connection. Author Mary Shelley, an unmarried pregnant teen, wrote the infamous science-fiction novel not long after the death of her first child during a period of immense loss and personal suffering. Her remarkable journey is told in parallel with the classic novel through a mix of theatrical dance styles.

Featuring Patrick Jeffrey as Dr. Frankenstein, Renee Guittar as The Creature, and Betsy Nelson as Mary Shelley. Additional cast includes Grace Janiszewski, Brian Bose, Megan Carter, and Ben Siglin.

Created by Regina Peluso, with direction by Heather Brockman and Regina Peluso. Choreography by Peluso, Brockman, Guittar, Jeffrey, Jarod Boltjes, and Rush Benson.

Live Performance Rates: VIP – $55, Adult – $45, Senior – $40, Students – $30
Virtual Performance: $35 per household
For tickets visit www.collidetheatrical.org/frankenstein or call 651-395-7903.
For information about group sales, email admin@collidetheatrical.org.

For more information on our health and safety guidelines, please visit www.collidetheatrical.org/health-and-safety.

Beer & Ballet is back!

Continental Ballet Company presents this non-traditional program of classical dancers with original choreography by several company members and director Riet Velthuisen.

Your ticket is your admission plus one free beer. Additional beverages available for purchase.

This is a fundraising and community outreach event to increase participation and inclusiveness in the art of dance.

Premieres Friday, October 8, 2021 at 7:30pm CT.
Available on-demand through October 15, 2021.

Select your own price when purchasing $0-50. Please note: ticket revenue from this film screening will be shared with the artists.

This dance film of Ananya Dance Theatre’s work, Dastak, the Farsi word for “knockings,” traces the knockings of global injustices on our hearts in four short sections: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Each section is a meditation on stories of borders, boundaries, loss, belonging, home and liberation, and echoes the subtitle created by writer Sharon Brigforth — I Wish You Me — indicating the cross-generational love that has carried communities through difficult migrations.

Filmmaker Darren Johnson captures these elemental journeys against the varied landscape of MniSota Makoce, ranging from post-Uprising scorched ruins in Minneapolis to tall prairie grasslands of Battle Creek Park, as the dancers pay tribute to the layered history of this land. Choreographed by Ananya Chatterjea and performed by the artists of Ananya Dance Theatre, this dance film also features the work of a powerful team of collaborators, notably writer and dramaturg Sharon Bridgforth and sound artists Spirit McIntyre and Dameun Strange.

Led by Artistic Director, Ananya Chatterjea, Ananya Dance Theatre is a company of cultural activists and BIPOC women, womxn, and femme artists who believe in the transformative power of dance.

A Benefit Performance for Ballet Co.Laboratory

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s fourth annual fundraising event, Let’s Go Crazy: A Celebration of Minnesota’s Notable Musicians will be one part rock and one part glam. Experience BCL’s future performance space while taking in a dance performance featuring the music of famous musicians who have called Minnesota home. Proceeds will directly benefit the company dancers, students, and outreach efforts of Ballet Co.Laboratory.

Choreography by: Andrea Mislan
Performed by: The Company Dancers of BCL

Saturday, October 9, 2021
4:00-7:00pm
at the Ballet Co.Laboratory Studios

Party like a rock star with: 

• Hosted sips-n-bites
• Silent auction
• Games
• Dance performance featuring the Company of Ballet Co.Laboratory
• Meet-n-Greet with company dancers and artistic staff

Tickets start at $55.

Celebrate the Center completing construction with community, food, and (of course) the arts!
Mahto Peta Toispaye Drum group and poet Halee Kirkwood open, followed by outdoor activities, guided tours, and a cabaret of performances.

Emceed by local artist Melissa Birch, onsite performances include composer Maura Bosch and guests from The Waves Cafe; dancers Kerry Parker, Gemma Isaacson, Helen Hatch, Alejandra Iannone and Elayna Waxse; musicians Sarah Kneeland, Alicia Little, and Nate Case; and T. Mychael Rambo and Roberta Carlson performing excerpts from PRESENT produced by the Illusion Theater, among others.

Follow CFPA for event updates, and see you at the Celebration!

Join Young Dance and friends on Saturday, October 16 from 3:00-6:00pm for Fall Fling!

This outdoor celebration is fun for the whole family! Enjoy performances by Young Dance, CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, Smiling Drum, St. Paul Ballet, and Youth Performance Company alongside activities such as games, participatory demonstrations, and bubbles. Food will be available from the Got Rice food truck.

Individuals with and without disabilities regularly engage with the organizations at the Fairview Business Center. We value access and continue to work to improve our programming and space to better meet people’s needs. We will provide audio description and an ASL interpreter. Parking is wheelchair accessible and seating will be available. Please let us know if there are any other accommodations needed to participate in this event. 

Masks recommended. Activities will be outdoors, but in the event of rain the event will continue inside at each partner’s location. 

There will also be a raffle to win: 

• $35 gift certificate for SkyZone       
• $25 gift card for Science Museum of Minnesota        
• $35 gift certificate for Walker Art Center (for admission or mini golf)        
• $35 gift certificate to Minnesota Zoo 
  …And more!

The event is FREE! 

For more information: https://bit.ly/3zHXNOB

The seventh annual  Twin Cities Tap Festival (TCTF) celebrates the incredible breadth, depth, and artistry of the ever-evolving American art of tap dance. This year’s concert features live music accompanying the best in local and national tap artists, including Jumaane Taylor and Max Pollak!

Celebrating John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme with live jazz and tap dance, Jumaane Taylor’s Supreme Love displays the spiritual, artistic and historical values that infuse human life, using a symbol of nature to transcend hope.

Max Pollak will perform All in One, an unaccompanied solo performance of uniquely arranged drum rhythms, songs, dances and stories that outline Pollak’s artistic evolution. All music is created live by Pollak, only using his body.

On Thursday, the first night of the Twin Cities Tap Festival kicks off with the annual Showcase, featuring phenomenal local and emerging tap artists and ensembles including this year’s Elite Tap Feet – some of the best teen tap dancers in Minnesota!

Thursday, October 21 – Showcase Performance
Friday and Saturday, October 22-23 – Concert Performances