McKnight Fellowships in Dance and Choreography – Application Open

The full applications for McKnight Fellowships in Dance and Choreography are now open. This program intends to recognize and support dance artists living and working in Minnesota who are beyond early practice and demonstrate sustained accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence.

The final deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 3:00pm CST.
Please plan to prepare and submit your application early.

Fellowship Program guidelines and more information:
McKnight Fellowships for Dancers
McKnight Fellowship for Choreographers

Concerto Dance Presents On Our Way

Concerto Dance presents On Our Way
at The Southern Theater 

March 22-23 at 7:30pm
March 24 at 2:30pm

On Our Way features a mixed repertoire of modern and jazz dance works driven by musicality and virtuosity aiming to uplift the human spirit. The program includes new works by local guest artists Erinn Liebhard (Rhythmically Speaking Dance) and Darrius Strong (STRONGmovement) along with works by Artistic Director Jolene Konkel, including the restaging of the 2020 dance film Awakenings for a live audience and the premiere of Konkel’s new jazz dance work, On Our Way.

On Our Way is performed by Hunter Batterson, Addie Beck, Maila Craft, Peter Hoffman, Doug Hooker, Lydia Kantor, Sara Karimi, Helena Magalhães, Shannon Mulcahy, Betsy Nelson, Jake Nehrbass, and Sarah Steichen Stiles.
Run time: approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets
Adults: $30 +fees
Students/Seniors: $25 +fees
For tickets and more information visit www.concertodance.com/performances

MERGE In March: Mathew Janczewski’s ARENA DANCES and Taja Will

A club-like atmosphere of daring ecstasy, collective revolt, and personal reclamations.

This year’s MERGE pairs Mathew Janczewski’s high-intensity, super-charged movements with Taja Will’s nuanced, emotive, and improvisational boldness. Their collaboration will culminate in an evening of performance, which includes ARENA repertory favorite, Judged House, and the premiere of a haunting new solo by Will.

Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $35, fees included.

Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 2:00pm
Tickets: pay as you are. Market value: $35, fees included.

Young Dance Presents the Third Annual Build-Your-Own Miniature Golf Gala

Join Young Dance in building and playing miniature golf on Saturday, March 23 at Lake Monster Brewing Company.

At this whimsical celebration of creativity, we share our passion for movement with the local community.

1:00-4:00pm
Everyone is invited to build a miniature golf hole with the theme of Alice in Wonderland. You can sign up to build and design the course individually or bring a group of friends. Materials like cardboard, pieces of gutter, tubes, wood, pallets, nails, screws, tape, and more will be provided, or you can bring your own supplies. Skilled construction workers will attend to help make your building dreams come true. 

4:00pm
The course will open to the public, and players can choose their own price to play. The suggested donation price is $15 per person, and all proceeds go to expanding access to Young Dance’s programming and mission to transform lives through movement. 

Since 1987, Young Dance has worked to transform lives through movement by fostering an inclusive community where creativity flourishes. Young Dance encourages peer-to-peer mentorship and collaboration in the making of dance. This year, we serve over 230 students, aged 1 to 18, at our studio hub in St. Paul and an additional 1200 participants through community events and partnerships. Learn more about Young Dance at youngdance.org. 

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please reach out to info@youngdance.org or call 612-423-3064.

The 2024 Build-Your-Own Minature Golf Gala is sponsored by Blaze Credit Union, The Costume Collective, Home Depot: Store # 2806, Lake Monster Brewing Co., The Makery, Metro Transit, No Mythic, Play It Again Sports St. Paul, Welna Ace Hardware: Store # 7166, Urban Refurbishment, and Wilson Golf Group.

Faculty Position – Ashley Ballet Arts Academy

Ashley Ballet Arts Academy in Golden Valley, MN is hiring faculty for the 2024-2025 school year.

Our mission is to “enrich lives through the art and joy of dance education.” We offer a wonderful work environment and studio culture. It is our goal to create opportunities to have a career in dance education and offer benefits including continued education.

Please email your resumé to Owner/Director, Ashley Burklank, at ashley@ashleyballetarts.com.

ARENA DANCES Presents the Eighth Annual CANDY BOX Dance Festival

Save the date for the eighth annual CANDY BOX Dance Festival!
April 22-27, 2024
At The Southern Theater

The CANDY BOX Dance Festival is a week-long dynamic sampling of featured performances, masterclasses, and in-progress showings, hosted by ARENA DANCES and presented April 22-27, 2024 at The Southern Theater. The CANDY BOX Dance Festival features both emerging and established choreographers, Happy Hour work-in-progress performances, and master class offerings.

Happy Hour Artists
Monday, April 22 – Shannon Hartle Dolan | Kaitlyn Hawkins and Alicia Steeves
Tuesday, April 23 – Kayla Schiltgen
Wednesday, April 24 – Amez Dance
Thursday, April 25 – Duniya Drum and Dance
Friday, April 26 – Penelope Freeh

Featured Artists
Featuring works by Tristan Koepke and Benny Olk, Paula Mann/Time Track Productions, and jess pretty.
Thursday, April 25 – 7:30pm
Friday, April 26 – 7:30pm
Saturday, April 27 – 2:00pm

Tickets
Purchase before April 23: $20 online in advance; $18 student/senior
After April 23: $27 online and at the door; $20 student/senior discount
Pay-As-Able pricing option available at the door only on Saturday, April 27 – 7:30pm

We extend a special thank you to our Season Sponsors and event donors: MartinPatrick3, The Southern Theater and generous individual contributions. This festival is also made possible with the support of the McKnight Foundation.

TU Dance: THREAT by Yusha-Marie Sorzano

TU Dance is one of four dance companies participating in the pilot program The O’Shaughnessy Dance Cohort. THREAT is an evening-length work choreographed by TU Dance Guest Artist Yusha-Marie Sorzano.

THREAT is a concert dance theater work that aims to provoke an interrogation of the roles we play as individuals and communities in hierarchies. The work posits that hierarchies have the power to control our behavior and infiltrate our thoughts, even when no authority is present to enforce the rules. Using a physical language and soundscape that fuses multicultural traditions and styles of the West and the African Diaspora, this social exploration invites audiences into a modern narrative that speaks to the universal experience of authority, obedience, and rebellion.

Friday, April 26, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 27, 7:30pm

Purchase tickets here!

Tickets
Adult: $40
Student/Senior: $30
St. Kate’s Student: $5
Subscription information can be found here.

Registration Open for Collide Theatrical Summer Intensive

Improve your technique and advance your artistry in a positive and welcoming environment! Classes include Musical Theatre Jazz, Classic Jazz Technique, Ballet, Leaps and Turns, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and more. Students may register for individual weeks, or sign up for all three weeks and save!

The Intensive culminates with our Collide Showcase (only for those who register for all three weeks of the intensive). Video will be taken so students have professional-grade copy to use for future auditions and submissions. Local students are also invited to perform excerpts from the Intensive at the MN State Fair in August!

Level placement requires a referral from a teacher or Collide company member, or a 2-minute video submission. Please send your video (one minute of ballet adagio with pirouettes and one minute of jazz) or referral name and contact information to Nathan@collidetheatrical.org.

Rent The Nexus

Threads Dance Nexus – A Space to Connect and Create

The Threads Dance Nexus is a brand new community hub that not only provides a home for Threads Dance Project but also strengthens the social fabric of our Minneapolis community through the connective power of dance.

Our 1,480 square foot space has:
A professional-grade speaker sound system
Barres, mirrors, and sprung floors
Two ADA-compliant, gender-neutral changing rooms
Large windows and garage door allowing for an abundance of natural light and fresh air

Conveniently located in the Seward neighborhood, we offer free parking and free side street parking. We are a five-minute walk from the Franklin light rail station and a 2-5 minute walk from the nearest bus stops (lines 2, 9, 22, and 67).

To request space, please email nexusrentals@threadsdance.org.

Ballet Instructor Wanted

Bauer Fine Arts Academy is a thriving dance studio located in Jordan, MN, 7 miles south of Shakopee. Our studio is dedicated to providing exceptional dance education and fostering a love for dance among our students. With a passionate team and a commitment to excellence, we strive to create a positive and inspiring environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels. We are currently seeking a talented and dedicated Ballet Instructor to join our team.

Position Overview
This is a part-time position with hourly pay based on experience – we pay well for high-quality instructors! We are looking for an experienced Ballet Instructor who is passionate about teaching and has a deep understanding of classical ballet techniques. The ideal candidate will be able to inspire and motivate students of all ages and skill levels while maintaining a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Primary Responsibilities
Conduct engaging and comprehensive classes for students ranging from beginners to advanced.
Teach and demonstrate proper ballet techniques, positions, and movements.
Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans that cater to diverse skill levels.
Create and choreograph ballet routines for recitals, performances, and competitions.
Collaborate with other dance instructors and staff to coordinate seamless performances.
Provide constructive and individualized feedback to students.
Monitor and assess students’ progress, adjusting teaching methods accordingly.
Stay updated on current trends, techniques, and developments in the field of ballet.
Attend workshops and training sessions to enhance personal and professional skills.

Qualifications
Proven experience as a Ballet Instructor with a strong background in classical ballet.
Recognized certifications or degrees in dance education or related fields are preferred.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work with students of varying ages and skill levels.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter, and any relevant dance portfolio or video demonstrations to bauerdance@hotmail.com. Please include “Ballet Instructor Application – [Your Name]” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Join our passionate team and contribute to the growth of aspiring dancers in a vibrant and supportive dance community!

Bauer Fine Arts Academy is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.