New Studio, Wood Floors at Studio K

Image of Studio K, with wood grain patterned floor and mirrors on one side

Studio K (Keane) Rental Space
Studio K, operated by Keane Sense of Rhythm, is a brand new dance space built for percussive dance. Studio K features two studios with a lobby area in the Creative Enterprise Zone in St. Paul.

Studio 1: 30’ x 34’ – 1020 square feet
Studio 2: 14’ x 20’ – 280 square feet

Studio Features
Sprung maple dance floor built for percussive dance
Wall of mirrors
Bose sound system
Skyline windows that provide ample natural light

Other Amenities
Piano and two congas
Gender-neutral and gender-specific bathrooms

Accessibility
The space is ADA accessible.
Free parking in the lots behind the building.
Metro Transit Green Line Light Rail – Raymond Ave is a .3 mile walk east on University Ave, approximately 7 minutes.
Metro Transit Bus Lines 63, 67 and 87 – University Ave and Vandalia St.

Rental fees per room
Individual artists: $12 and $18/hour
Nonprofit organizations: $18 and $22/hour for rehearsals
Discount for LGBTQ: 40%

Classes: Contact Cathy@tapcompany.org
Please inquire about fees for other uses (e.g., classes, workshops, photo shoots, etc.).
Please contact Cathy@tapcompany.org to place a rental request.

Dance Studio Space for Rent on University Ave

This studio space is set up and ready to go for a dance or yoga studio. There is a separate kitchen next door that can be shared with an adjacent office space or partitioned off for exclusive access. Our building is currently home to a variety of creative, environmental, and community oriented groups and we would love to work collaboratively with tenants on reimagining the remaining spaces we have available for rent.

Businesses that currently call Universe Buildings their home are: Keane Sense of Rhythm, Landbridge Ecological, Elpis Enterprises, Vitality Roasting, Minnesota Youth Collective, Final Stop Vintage, Barber Session, Veronica Louis Art Studio, Nash Industries and many others.

With easy access to the Green Line and I-94, both buildings are just 10 minutes from downtown St. Paul and 12 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, helping you feel connected to both of the Twin Cities. A parking lot is also available in the back of the buildings.

Contact Tory Christensen for more information: tory@landbridge.eco.

DanceMN Fall Fundraiser – Enhancing Our Connective Power

The DanceMN logo: DANCE in black all caps above MN in gray

Maybe it’s just me, but the current season seems to be multilayered: Within five days it was 80 degrees and then shifted to a quick moment of snowflakes lightly falling on my windshield. Seasons can quickly shift, overlap, flow and go, mirroring life quite well…or vice versa.

Hello, I am Arneshia Williams, a relatively new member of the DanceMN Steering Committee. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of you – human beings who love dance and who love art – and look forward to meeting those who I haven’t crossed paths with yet. I write to connect and share in possibilities.

I joined DanceMN having been graciously asked and because curiosity led me to openness. I was curious about the dance focused newsletter that I previously submitted postings to AND I was curious about how I could support the dance arts community through the DanceMN forum. I’m still figuring out how to contribute and am appreciating learning about some of the histories of dance in Minnesota from fellow steering committee members. DanceMN’s new vision is that All are connected to dance in Minnesota.

This vision moves hand-in-hand with the mission of increasing visibility and vitality for Minnesota dance. In this current season, or layer of seasons, I wonder what that is? How do we foresee the vision and mission working together? How do you, the Minnesota dance community, envision DanceMN contributing to the visibility and vitality of dance in Minnesota? How has DanceMN contributed in the past? How does it contribute now? 

In this current season, DanceMN is shifting by bringing in new members, ideating about future possibilities, and discussing past history. We ask you to consider joining us in the present and future possibilities in a few ways. One, what dance history is part of the Minnesota dance community? What knowledge do you have? DanceMN is a part of the dance community and we want to hear from you, important people who are part of the full dance community. You can answer these questions and pose your own, as well as see what others have to say in the comments on our GiveMN page. Second, DanceMN is currently in its Fall fundraising season. Would you consider donating to help us maintain the ability to produce the DanceMN newsletter?

We appreciate you considering making a contribution to DanceMN in this season – or mix of seasons – by voicing dance histories and assisting us in the ability to produce the newsletter. Whatever you decide, we give thanks in advance. And, thanks for taking time to read this.

Arneshia Williams

DanceMN Steering Committee
Ashley Chin-Mark
Rahila Naomi Stadem Coats
Joanne Gordon
Sarah LaRose-Holland
Jim Lieberthal
Alys Ayumi Ogura
Eve Schulte
Julie Warder
Arneshia Williams

DanceMN Co-Editors
Annie Carlson
Non Edwards

Katha Dance Theatre Seeks Diverse Dancers to Join Training Program

The dancers of Katha Dance Theatre stand on stage and gesture with their right arms pointing off to the right

Katha Dance Theatre has been performing and educating in Kathak, the classical Indian dance form, since 1987. Kathak is a beautiful dance form that is grounded in a mixture of balletic lyrical movements and pirouettes as well as complex rhythmic footwork. Because it originated as a form of storytelling, the form also has a strong emotional component and evokes narratives through dancers’ gestures and facial expressions. KDT has been working for over 35 years to make the form accessible and inclusive through offering programs throughout the state of Minnesota (and beyond) and collaborating with multicultural artists on original work.

With that in mind, KDT is seeking dancers of diverse mediums and ethnic backgrounds to join their school on a track to eventually join the professional company. The organization has received grant funding that enables it to offer full scholarships to at least 5 dancers outside of its majority-South Asian community to begin Kathak training.

The training would begin ASAP, with current fall classes ongoing. Professional dancers of any kind are welcome, with male dancers being especially encouraged to join. 
To learn more about the upcoming session, go to our website and email info@kathadance.org if interested.

Watch an example of KDT’s work here.

Photo by Anjana Nair.

Collaborative Instructor and Performer – Dance Projects by ME

Two images superimposed, each of a solo dancer

Dance Projects by ME is seeking a dance instructor and performer to assist in leading a series of adult community workshops and performances. This project will run April-June 2023.

Our Movement As Language workshop series provides an introduction to modern/contemporary dance and choreographic tools for participants to express themselves with movement. An ideal candidate will be open to a collaborative work environment, have teaching and choreographic experience, and be comfortable working with movers from diverse backgrounds with all levels of dance experience. The project will culminate in a public performance at the Southern Theater.

Position Title: Performer and Workshop Instructor

Planned dates and time commitments – exact times to be defined:
Three Workshops: April 14-16, April 21-23, and April 28-30
Rehearsals: Two hours Tuesdays and Thursdays in April; two hours Monday-Thursday in May and June
Tech and Performance Dates: June 12-18

Instructor and Rehearsal Rate: $40/hour
Choreography and Performance Stipend: $1450
Hours: approximately 90 total hours

Dance Projects by ME seeks to cultivate space for dance projects inspired by diverse styles and community exchange. We strive to create dance accessibility through choreography, education, and performance.

To apply, please send a resume and dance sample to Erika Martin and Carmen Lucia Lincoln by Friday, November 18.

Video Audition for Project November through June

I’m Sydney Ward (she/they), and I’m part of the ’22-’23 cohort of the Generating Room hosted by the Cowles Center. I’m a disabled, neurodivergent, queer choreographer interested in healing and repatterning the stories we have learned about ourselves and co-creating generative processes that are as impactful as the work itself. My work draws on contemporary, jazz, and post-modern influences with inspiration from myths, folklore, and my own stories.

Dancers of any background are welcome to submit an audition reel to sydney.v.ward@gmail.com with “GENERATING ROOM” in the title by November 22.
– Provide 2-4 samples of your movement, any styles (credit choreographers). Do not exceed 5 minutes total.
– Include a brief introduction with your pronouns, why you dance, and your experience with disability or neurodivergence. This portion may be written in your email if you prefer.
– Provide your preferred rehearsal days/times in the email.

I do not expect professional-quality videography, and if you need help getting a space to record, reach out.

We’ll rehearse 1-3 times per week and collaborate with other artists. A small stipend will be available based on participation.

Rosy Simas Danse is Seeking a Managing Director in Minneapolis

Job Title: Managing Director (MD)
Status: .75 FTE/30 hours a week, salaried
Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Contractors
Salary: $60,000 annually plus benefits (health, retirement, PTO, plus $5,000 relocation fee)
Application Deadline: November 30, 2022

About Rosy Simas Danse 
For Native communities, art is everything. Art, song, and story manifest our activism, dance is our primary assertion of spirit and identity, and the creation of art is an enormously important part of both our economy and our traditions. Our lifeways and our art ways do not separate.

We make the work of Native artists nationally and internationally visible, to shift the global view of how Native people are seen—to demonstrate that Native artists are contemporary, groundbreaking artists bringing critical Indigenous worldviews to all fields of the arts. RSD furthers artistic and professional growth for Native and BIPOC artists, which in turn provides income, education, visibility, artistic autonomy, and hope for individual artists.

Anti-Oppression, Equity, and Inclusion are Foundational
We believe that the liberation of all peoples starts with the healing of oppression and trauma caused by the intersectional, historical, and current oppression of Native, Indigenous, Black, and People of Color in this country. We acknowledge that all human beings and all species in relationship with human beings need to be free.

The work of Rosy Simas Danse specifically seeks to simultaneously work against all named and unnamed forms of systemic oppression such as white supremacy, patriarchy, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, ableism, and gender-bias while advancing an inclusive, abundant, holistic ecosystem, working against capitalist notions of scarcity and value. An ecosystem that will support and allow the Native and BIPOC of the dance community in this country to thrive.

We aim to be equitable in all our programming through not only our own commissioning, programming, and paying of artists and community, but by actively advocating and fighting for equality for Native, Indigenous, Black, and People of Color in the broader arts field.

Position Summary
As the first Managing Director (MD), you will work with the Artistic Director to implement the infrastructure and systems which support day-to-day operations and strategic objectives to execute the vision of Rosy Simas Danse. The Managing Director is responsible for the overall business, administrative, and operational management of the company. This includes leadership of fundraising, budgeting, financial management, HR, information systems, institutional marketing, and board relations.

Core Areas of Duties
Financial Management and Operations, including People Management
Resource Development, including Fundraising
Space Logistics and Support
External Relations and Communications
Board Relations and Support

More information, including the knowledge, wisdom, and experience sought can be found on our website.

Does this position interest you? Email us the following with the subject line “Managing Director”:

  • Contact information: name, email, and phone number.
  • A document with your story or letter of interest telling us why you want this position. Describe the experience that you bring. We want to hear about you, your journey, and why you think this position and RSD are a good fit for you.
  • Your resume or a list of your experience.

Contact us with your information or any questions at: info@rosysimasdanse.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Submit Jazz and American Social Dance-Inspired Work for RS’ Cohort 2023

Rhythmically Speaking, a Twin Cities-based dance company with a 15-year history and a national reputation for excellence in jazz, seeks works for stage and screen for presentation as a part of our program The Cohort 2023.

Submissions are due November 30, 2022. For full info about important details, dates and compensation, and to access to submission form,visit this link.

The program includes a live stage production in the Twin Cities in Summer 2023 and dance film screenings in Colorado (summer 2023) and the Twin Cities (fall 2023). The call for works for screen is in partnership with the Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema (CO), one of the longest-running and most reputable screendance festivals in the nation. Our 2022 film screening partners were the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop (CO) and the Twin Cities Film Festival (MN). 

Submitted works must explore jazz and/or American social dance ideas from forms including but not limited to tap and hip hop styles. Join the ongoing conversation around the connections between and sociocultural impact/s of these styles by submitting! Artists 21 and older at any point in their careers are welcomed to submit.

We look forward to seeing your work, and thank you for your interest!

Audition Notice for Flying Foot Forum Concerts

Saturday, December 3
2:00-4:30pm
At Ballare Teatro in South Minneapolis.

Must be 18+. Must be up-to-date on COVID vaccinations. Please bring a mask.

Flying Foot Forum (FFF) is a Minneapolis-based percussive dance/theater company.

Casting for:
A. The Red Walls – highly physical, rhythmic dancers. Bring clean street shoes.
B. Also casting for strong tap dancers who can sing. Bring tap shoes.
You may audition for both parts.

We will have space for 30 people to audition. Email flyingfootforum@gmail.com to claim a spot for the audition.

Must be available April 9-23, 2023.

Rehearsals: Sundays starting in January. The Red Walls, 2:00-5:00pm. Tap dancers/singers, 6:00-9:00pm.

This project will pay a minimum of $1,000.

Questions? Please contact us at flyingfootforum@gmail.com.

Young Dance Seeks Teaching Artists for 2022–23 Session and Beyond

Four class images of young dancers paired with the Young Dance logo

Young Dance is seeking teachers, assistants, and substitutes for 2022-23 and beyond. Teachers with experience in the following styles are encouraged to apply: Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theater, Afro-Modern, Modern/Contemporary, Ballet, Percussive, and Creative Movement. Experience working with dancers of all abilities is a plus, but not required.

Founded in 1987, we believe young people are artists with something important to say and that working across differences is a benefit to all. Our mission is to transform lives through movement. We are an inclusive community where creativity flourishes and healthy risk-taking is encouraged. Our classes are open to everyone of all levels and abilities. Participants enjoy our collaborative and student-led approach to dance education. Our curriculum emphasizes technique, improvisation, and choreography through the elements of dance: Body, Action, Space, Time, and Energy. Dancers develop skills in observing, participating, and reflecting in a safe and supportive environment that values a commitment to self, to the group, and to lifelong learning.

Pay rate is $48/hour for lead teaching, $24/hour for assisting.

Contact Anat Shinar, anat@youngdance.org, with a resume and brief introduction.