Archive: Performances and Events

It’s been a decade of dance! We can hardly believe that we’re announcing our tenth anniversary season! Thank you to everyone – the artists, the audiences, our community – who’s been a part of our journey so far.

Season announcements are always joyful, but this year, as we celebrate our tenth year and ease back into live, in-person performances, feels a little extra special. The goal is always to highlight the breadth and depth of Minnesota dance artists, and we think this season does just that.

We can’t wait to see you in our audience!

Check out the full list here: thecowlescenter.org/tickets

Twin Cities Ballet is thrilled to announce a season of in-person performances, featuring exciting premieres, the return of some of our most popular ballets, and, as always, fantastic dancing and storytelling. You won’t want to miss it!

Season Highlights

Dracula – This world premiere is part of a mixed bill performance at Ames Center in Burnsville on October 27–28. Dracula will have an original libretto based on the classic novel, with an original musical score composed for this production by Minnesota composer Simon Sperl. 

A Minnesota Nutcracker – TCB’s beloved holiday classic with a Minnesota twist returns to Ames Center on December 10–12, and will include the launch of its 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. In addition, TCB’s one-hour Mini-Nutcracker at Lakeville Area Arts Center on November 30 is a perfect way to introduce children and families to this holiday delight.

TCB’s Choreographic Voices – TCB artists will explore the creative process and present experimental and new works on January 28–29 at the Dance Cube performance space at Ballet Royale Minnesota in Lakeville.

Pink Floyd’s The Wall: A Rock Ballet – Back by popular demand, TCB will be performing its smash-hit original rock ballet at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul on March 11–13, with live music from popular local band Momentary Lapse of Floyd.

Giselle – The season will conclude with the beautiful ballet classic, Giselle, at Ames Center in Burnsville on May 6–8. This will be the Twin Cities Ballet company premiere of one of the most popular and enduring ballet favorites.

Every month from March through December 2021, Threads Dance Project will release selected works of Artistic Director Karen L. Charles’ top dances available pay-as-able from $1, $10, $100, or even $1,000!

July’s works include Humanity & Elysian Fields Avenue (2012).

Here is what Karen says about the work:

“The creation of this dance allowed me to channel my sadness and outrage about the destruction of New Orleans by Hurrican Katrina. Destruction that disproportionately impacted Black and poor people. ” –Karen L. Charles, Artistic Director.

Once registered, you will receive a private link and password that will allow you to view these works through August 1, 2021. Each release will be 20-30 minutes in length.

Don’t miss out on these works that started it all!

Neighborhood Dances is a series of free mini dance concerts performed in public spaces inviting community participation. We teach parts of the dances to anyone who wants to join in. ASL signing included and options for limited mobility. Offered as a way to respond to the difficulties of this past year, we aim to spread joy, blessings and healing through dance while acknowledging God as our higher perspective and hope. Join us for these upcoming dates:

Thursday, July 29, 7:00pm*
Lauderdale Community Park Event
2328 Roselawn Ave W
Lauderdale, MN 55113
South side of the playground area.
*We’ll be performing a few songs during the band’s break around 7:00 p.m. Come at 6:45 so you don’t miss us.

Saturday, July 31, 2:00pm
B.F. Nelson Park
434 Main St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Greenspace northeast of Boom Island Park.

Saturday, August 21, 2:00 p.m.
Long Lake Park Beach
1500 Old Highway 8
New Brighton, MN 55112
Join us on the grass at the end of the beach parking lot near the railroad track.

Back by popular demand, Live @ The Shed, produced by Hatch Dance and HoneyWorks, returns to the Lab Taproom, August 7-8, 2021. Twenty-six of the Twin Cities most vibrant dancers come together for an outdoor dance event featuring the world premiere of LDV, co-choreographed by Berit Ahlgren and Helen Hatch.

Inspired by and set to the soundtrack of Federico Fellini’s 1960 film La Dolce Vita; Ahlgren, Hatch and the ensemble embark on a non-linear joy-ride full of whimsy, sweet optimism and goofy charm, undercut by the sinister and cunning moments that ultimately color life. A multi-talented and multi-generational cast bring their energies and experiences together in the creation of this new work.

The Sunday 3:00pm program begins with works-in-progress presentations Gemma Isaacson, Blake Nellis and Joe Tennis, Juliana Johnson, and Penelope Freeh.

LDV features Berit Ahlgren, Helen Hatch, Hannah Benditt, Jeremy Bensussan, Judith Brin Ingber, Nicole Brown, Stephanie Fellner, Zhauna Franks, Alejandra Iannone, Gemma Isaacson, Juliana Johnson, Jennifer Mack, Samantha Meryhew, Kelli Miles, Da’Rius Malone, Blake Nellis, Yolanda Pauly, Amanda Sachs, Tristen Sanborn, Connor Simone, Rhapsody Stiggers, Joe Tennis, Lauren Vasilakos, Elliana Vesely, Genevieve Waterbury, and Scott Willits.

Reserve your tickets!
August 7 at 5:30pm
August 7 at 8:00pm
August 8 at 3:00pm – with Works in Progress
August 8 at 5:30pm
August 8 at 8:00pm

Dancer Yuki Tokuda will bring live performances with violist Natsuki Kumagai (MN Orchestra) to Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. Tokuda’s choreography on J.S Bach’s Chaconne expresses that there is always a hope during darkness and after sorrow. Featuring music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Auguste de Bériot, Eugène Ysaÿe

Choreographer – Yuki Tokuda
Violin – Natsuki Kumagai
Dancers – Hannah Benditt, Jarod Boltjes, Ashley Chin-Mark, Erika Ellis, Andrew Lester, Yuki Tokuda

Saturday, August 14 at 2:00pm
Sunday, August 15 at 2:00pm

Rain or shine!

This show is free to the public, but please register ahead of time for Arts Board verification of audience attendance.
https://chaconne-peaveyplaza.eventbrite.com

Yuki Tokuda is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Every month from March through December 2021, Threads Dance Project will release some of Artistic Director Karen L. Charles’ top dances available pay-as-able from $1, $10, $100, or even $1,000 to view Karen’s selected works!

July’s works include Humanity & Elysian Fields Avenue (2012).

Here is what Karen says about the work:

“The creation of this dance allowed me to channel my sadness and outrage about the destruction of New Orleans by Hurrican Katrina. Destruction that disproportionately impacted Black and poor people. ” –Karen L. Charles, Artistic Director.

Once registered, you will receive a private link and password that will allow you to view these works through August 1, 2021.

Each release will be 20-30 minutes in length.

Don’t miss out on these works that started it all!