Archive

Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Off-Leash Area

Join us this week for Studio Stories with the Off-Leash Area duo, Jennifer Ilse and Paul Herwig, for Season 12, Episode 138.

Off-Leash Area was founded in Minneapolis in 1999 and creates original interdisciplinary performance work. In its 23 years, OLA has created 31 original, evening-length performance works and many short-form works, taught classes in Inverted Dance and workshops in Performance and Scenic Design, been commissioned by the Walker Art Center and the O’Shaughnessy, and collaborated with an ever-growing community of the Twin Cities’ most exciting performance makers.

Visit here to listen, or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

Consider a Gift to ARENA DANCES for GTMD23

Give to the Max Day is just one week away! ARENA DANCES’ campaign goal is $15k.

Here is a selection of ARENA’s recent accomplishments, as well as our upcoming events for the 23/24 Season!

Our 28th season began with sold out performances and standing ovations for Erased Steps at Union Depot in St. Paul. The talents of 15 dancers, local composer Zach Baltich, two voice actors, and lighting designer Heidi Eckwall coalesced to connect with 350 audience members. Excerpts were performed for Green MPLS – Summer at Peavey Plaza and the Franconia Sculpture Park.

This is the pilot year teaching Dance Pedagogy to North High School Dance Company Students! This project broadens our roster of teaching artists and seeks to teach North high school students employable skills within the dance field. Additionally, ARENA’s DanceON program offers after-school programs to five metro area K-12 schools this school year.

Upcoming, the inaugural snowBIRD creative residency kicks off January 3-13 in Palm Desert. ARENA will travel with three dancers for creation, master classes, and an in-progress showing. In March, a new collaboration with Taja Will premieres at the Cowles Center, featuring five amazing performers and Queen Duin as live DJ and lighting designer. Finally, the eighth annual CANDY BOX Dance Festival presents the work of seven different choreographers, presenting the artistry of more than 30 artists.

Our ongoing programming includes the monthly Floorwork community conversation and potlucks to support and share resource knowledge. Additionally, our oral excavation of local dance lore enters the 12th season of Studio Stories: Reminiscing Twin Cities Dance History with 140 interviews and over 13,000 downloads.

ARENA DANCES aims uplift the Twin Cities dance community and enable artists to excel the field of dance. We hope you may consider a gift to ARENA Dances that is meaningful to you.

As Give to the Max Day approaches, be sure to share what you can with your favorite organizations and artists – every bit counts!

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre – Studio Space for Rent in Minneapolis

Located in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis, rent Zorongo Flamenco’s studio for classes, private rehearsals, events, and more! Our space is available to book in consecutive 30-minute periods when not in use by the Zorongo Flamenco school. 

First-time renters should contact Zorongo Flamenco for more information prior to booking. 

Our Studio Includes:
1,224 square feet (34′ x 36′)
Free street parking on 37th Avenue and surrounding streets
Bluetooth speaker/sound system available for use
Access to gender-neutral restrooms
Overhead lighting
Filtered water station
Sprung, wood floor
Wall-length mirrors
Windows with natural light and curtains
A/C unit
Wifi

Rental Fees
Rehearsals: $10.00 per 30 minutes
Classes: $12.50 per 30 minutes

To view studio rental availability, visit: https://zorongo.org/studio-rental/

For other rental inquiries, including events, workshops, art space, photo/filming sessions, etc., please contact us.

Rent the Young Dance Studios

Photo of a dance studio with windows at the far wall

Young Dance has two large studios available for rent in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. Easily accessible by the Green Line light rail, the 16 and 67 Bus Lines, and with ample parking in the Fairview Business Center parking lot. The space is fully ADA accessible, with ramps to the sprung studio floor and automatic door openers. 

Rentals are currently available:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Tuesday, 11:00am–4:00pm
Friday, 11:00am–4:00pm and 6:30–9:00pm
Saturday, 3:00–9:00pm
Sunday, 8:00am–9:00pm

The studios are newly equipped with sprung Harlequin Marley flooring, a Bluetooth speaker system, and wifi. A projector with AV adapters is available by request. Studio 2 has ballet barres and a mirror. The studio has a clear COVID safety plan, including regular disinfecting of all floors and surfaces and a new HVAC system that refreshes the air 7-8 times per hour.

Studio 1: Measures 41′ x 38′ and rents at $25/hour
Studio 2: Measures 38′ x 38′ and rents at $20/hour

To book the space, email jules@youngdance.org or call 612-423-3064. Payment, signed agreement, and liability waiver are required with rental confirmation. 

Threads Dance Nexus Space for Rent

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.

Threads NexGen/Youth Dance Project Seeking Instructors

Threads NexGen/YDP (Youth Dance Project) is looking to hire ethnically diverse individuals to teach ballet and modern technique classes for upcoming 12-week spring sessions. We seek skilled dance instructors to augment weekly intensive programming that also includes nutrition and embodied movement exploration at Threads Dance Nexus.

NexGen/YDP uses a holistic approach to training future dance artists. The program enables youth to enhance technical skills, explore creativity, and manage stress and trauma in a safe, supportive environment. Students will receive high-level training and education from professionals in ballet technique, modern dance technique, embodied movement exploration, and nutrition. At Threads Dance Nexus, we strive to create an equitable and inclusive learning environment where students’ gifts can be cultivated and growth opportunities are embraced. We seek to be a place where diverse learners are treated with dignity and respect.

NexGen YDP Spring Session: January 22-April 20, 2024
Beginning/Intermediate levels, ages 8-13.
Dates and times TBD, based on availability.

Our Teaching Philosophy
Culturally Relevant — so that dancers of any race or ethnicity feel a sense of belonging.
Trauma-Informed – dance education has the potential to reproduce harm or liberate; we chose liberation!
Anatomically Sound – working safely with the body to keep you dancing longer and stronger.
Inclusive and Equitable – all are welcome and differing needs are acknowledged.
Socially Just – seek to rectify injustice through arts activism.

Candidates must have extensive experience in ballet and/or modern, strong communication skills, experience working with children, and provide informative, engaging, and effective movement instruction reflecting the Dance Nexus philosophy.

Instructors will be compensated for class hours at a rate of $40/hour. Instructors are also welcome to attend Threads Company Class on Mondays or Tuesdays from 9:00-10:30am as well as rent the studio at a discounted staff rate.

If you would like more information and to apply, please email an introduction and your resume to Angela Ericson at aericson@threadsdance.org.

Ballet Co.Laboratory Adult Drop-In Classes

No matter if you are a veteran dancer or slipping on your first pair of ballet shoes, Ballet Co.Laboratory is an artistic home for everyone. With 14 different adult drop-in classes offered each week, including conditioning and Pilates, we know we have the right class for you! 

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday classes now with live accompaniment!

Join us in person or virtually via Zoom.
Single-class and 10-class cards are available.
Parking is always free!

Studios for Rent at Ballet Co.Laboratory

Come create at Ballet Co.Laboratory. Our artistic home is available for hourly rentals to independent artists and arts organizations. Book a single day to work on your artistry, secure a month to rehearse a show, or facilitate your weekly programming here – the choice is yours! We look forward to collaborating with you on your space needs.

Public Transportation
The studio is accessible via the Greenline into downtown Saint Paul and the 71A or 71B bus.

Free Parking
Free parking is available in front of the studio.

Facility
We have five studios at Ballet Co.Laboratory with sprung floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and barres, plus four gender-neutral restrooms, changing rooms, and comfortable lobby space with Wi-fi access and ample seating. The entire facility is HVAC heated and cooled.

Studio 1: 25′ x 50′ – 15-person capacity – $20/hour
Studio 2: 25′ x 50′ – 15-person capacity – $20/hour
Studio 3: 25′ x 30′ – 8-person capacity – $15/hour
Studio 4: 42′ x 50′ – 30-person capacity – Rental available via special request
Studio 5: 25′ x 28′ – 8-person capacity – $15/hour

Hours
Morning, daytime, and evening hours are available.

TU Dance Center: Community Class with Adji Cissoko of Alonzo King LINES

Join CULTIVATE trainees and Alonzo King LINES Ballet dancer Adji Cissoko for a dance class at TU Dance Center open to participants thanks to a partnership between Northrop Auditorium and TU Dance. This class is for intermediate/advanced dancers and will start with a warmup followed by choreography and movement exploration!

Date: Wednesday, November 1
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Location: TU Dance Center
Cost: $20

For more information and to register, click here.

This class is free for University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff. If you are affiliated with the University of Minnesota, please email mvorhis@umn.edu to register. 

Adji Cissoko was born and grew up in Munich, Germany where she trained at the Ballet Academy Munich and graduated with a diploma in dance. Cissoko attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City on full scholarship, before joining the National Ballet of Canada in 2010. In 2012 she was awarded the Patron Award of Merit by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada. Cissoko joined LINES Ballet in 2014. Since then she’s originated many central roles and guested for galas worldwide. Cissoko has given multiple master classes and taught classes around the world as part of the company’s outreach program. In 2020, she became certified in health/life coaching and ABT’s National Training Curriculum. Cissoko choreographed her first piece “AZIZ “ for Ballet X in 2021. She also is a 2022 recipient of the Toulmin fellowship.

Alonzo King LINES Ballet Performs Deep River – Presented by Northrop

Submerge yourself in this deeply soulful, powerful new work that fuses Black and Jewish spiritual music with stunning dance. Set to a score by jazz pianist, composer, and MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran—with vocals by Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer—the piece celebrates the 40th anniversary of this artistically innovative ballet company. Master choreographer and visionary Alonzo King reveals Deep River is a reminder “that love is the ocean that we rose from, swim in, and will one day return to”—that love can set us free.

Thursday, November 2
7:30pm

Sensory Friendly Lounge
A Sensory Friendly Lounge equipped with sensory supports and staffed by trained volunteers will be available to all guests who are seeking a safe and soothing atmosphere during this and other select performances. Learn more on the Accessibility Services page.