Off-Leash Area Presents The Knave of Knives – The Duchess of Dawn

At once dreamlike, unsettling, and absurd, Off-Leash Area’s new show, The Knave of Knives – The Duchess of Dawn, introduces two strange and haunting figures from an otherworldly court who engage in a fantastical struggle for power over the multiverse. Taking place in an immersive installation surrounding both stage and audience, the show is performed with movement and music/sound, inspired (loosely) by string theory, and is populated with melancholy stuffed animals and mysterious trophies, dispersed among the fragile threads of a clandestine karmic history.

Created and performed by Jennifer Ilse and Paul Herwig, co-artistic directors of Off-Leash Area.

June 7-9, 7:00pm
Tickets on sale now.

Admission is by suggested donation between $10-$30. Seating is limited to approximately 40 seats and the garage fills up fast, so make your reservation early! You can also make your donation at the door by cash or card via Square.

Stick around afterward for popcorn, drinks, and conversation by the fire!

Minnesota Dance Theatre & School Summer Intensives

Join us for the Minnesota Dance Theatre and School Summer 2024 Dance Intensives and Themed Camps, running June 10-28! This is the last week to register – register by May 15!

Training with MDT&S is designed to meet the needs of today’s dancers with a curriculum based in classical ballet technique and incorporating contemporary dance forms for all ages 4-18.

Our Performing Arts Division (PAD) Summer Intensive aims to build upon the MDT&S curriculum and is aimed at dancers who have mastered the fundamentals of ballet technique. Classes will include Ballet Technique, Contemporary Technique, Conditioning/Strength, and Creative Workshops.

The Young Children’s Division (YCD) Intensive and Camp Classes emphasize the joy of dancing and creative movement while helping students enhance their coordination and develop the fundamental skills of dance.

Register here. Full session and week-by-week registration available. Class sizes will be limited. Registration closes May 15.
Visit our website for more information.

TU Dance Center: Children and Beginner Summer Programs

The TU Dance Children and Teen Program introduces the joy of creative movement and beginning dance technique. Classes, divided by age, provide a comprehensive base on which to expand by developing body awareness, coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and musicality. Click here to download the 2024 Creative Movement Daily Schedule and the 2024 Beginning Program Daily Schedule.

Youth Beginning Level: June 17-29
This 2-week program is entry level for students typically aged 9-12 and will focus on the techniques of Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, and African Dance. Students will learn basic fundamentals of dance technique along with exploring their individual artistic expression.
Registration Deadline: June 12, 2024

Teen Beginning Level: June 17-29
This 2-week program is entry level for students typically aged 13-16 and will focus on the techniques of Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, and African Dance. Students will learn basic fundamentals of dance technique along with exploring their individual artistic expression.
Registration Deadline: June 12, 2024

Creative Movement: July 22-26
During this 1-week program, students ages 5-8 will experience the connection between movement and creativity through rhythmically driven classes aided by live percussion.
Registration Deadline: July 17, 2024

Wayfinding: Dance Film Sharing and Discussion

Join us for Wayfinding, a creative conversation and informal dance film sharing featuring short films by 2024 McKnight International Choreographer Meryl Zaytoun Murman and Winona artist Sharon Mansur. The films will explore their shared Arab/SWANA (Southwest Asian and Northern African) heritage, gender and sexuality, and diasporic bodies; a guided discussion will center on these themes. The discussion will be facilitated by Winona State Professor Mary Jo Klinker.

This event is part of a month-long residency in Winona and the Twin Cities. There will be a variety of events that allow Murman to share her multiple artistic practices.

Full residency schedule and more information.

Tuesday, June 18
7:00pm

This free event will be co-sponsored by Art of the Rural.
Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Hopkins Dance Company’s Young Dancer Summer Camps

Join us for Hopkins Dance Company’s summer camps for ages 4-9. No dance experience necessary!

Little Mermaid Camp
June 24-27, 10:00am-12:30pm

Super Mario Camp
July 22-25, 10:00am-12:30pm

Nutty Nutcracker Camp
August 19-22, 10:00am-12:30pm

TU Dance Center: Pre-Professional Summer Programs

The TU Dance Pre-Professional program is an intensive course of study integrating Modern, Ballet, African Dance, and creative workshops for students ages 11-24. Click the respective level group to download the daily schedule: 2024 Intermediate Program Daily Schedule and 2024 Advanced Intensive Daily Schedule.

Youth Intermediate Level: July 8-20
This level is aimed at students typically aged 11 and older with some dance experience who wish to experience focused dance training. During this 2-week program, students will be introduced to different forms of dance with a balance between building strong technique and exploring their artistry.
Registration Deadline: July 3, 2024

Teen Intermediate Level: July 8-20
This level is designed for students typically aged 14 and older with two or more years of formal training. During this 2-week program, students will explore their artistry through technique classes and workshop/choreography that will help to build their knowledge of dance.
Registration Deadline: July 3, 2024

Advanced Level: July 29-August 10
This 2-week summer intensive program is designed for advanced pre-professional students typically aged 17-24 who are interested in pursuing careers as professional dancers. It is recommended that students have four or more years of formal training and a solid grounding in Ballet and Modern dance techniques. Students will participate in daily workshop classes with TU Dance Center teaching artists and guest artists. Students can enroll for 1 week or 2 weeks. Each week will culminate with a work-in-progress sharing in the studio.
Registration Deadline: July 24, 2024. Single-week registration is available.

For program details, level placement, and to register, you can either click here, email education@tudance.org, or call 651-724-9708. Level placement can be done by attending in person (by appointment only, class fee applies), submitting a video link (Modern and Ballet phrases), or during the first day of classes of the intensive. Scholarships available!

View the TU Dance Summer Programs information more efficiently on a mobile device by clicking here.

Collide Theatrical Summer Intensive 2024

For intermediate to advanced dancers ages 14-22.

Improve your technique and advance your artistry in a positive and welcoming environment! Classes include Musical Theatre Jazz, Classic Jazz Technique, Ballet, Leaps & Turns, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and more. Students may register for individual weeks, or sign up for all 3 weeks and save!

The intensive culminates with our Collide Showcase ( for those who register for all 3 weeks). 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.

Child and Youth Summer Dance at Threads Dance Project

Discover dance this summer at Threads Dance Nexus! Come for one week or two!

Creative Connections for ages 4-7
July 8-12 and/or July 15-19, 9:00-11:30am

Young movers will explore a variety of dance styles and how dance intersects with music, numbers, art, theater, and more. They will learn the importance of healthy bodies and minds, discuss basic nutrition, and how emotions can be defined, demonstrated, and calmed using movement. This journey of creativity and self-expression will be shared in a casual showing for family and friends at the end of each week.

NexGen/YDP (Youth Dance Project) for ages 8-12
July 8-12 and/or July 15-19, 12:30-4:30pm

Embark on a fun and holistic dance experience for your child in this comprehensive approach to summer dance learning. Dancers will grow in confidence, strength, and self-expression as they study ballet and modern techniques. They will learn self-care for their bodies and minds through nutrition and embodied movement exploration. Journals will be provided as a tool for self-reflection and discovery. Students will share what they’ve learned in a casual showing at the end of each week.

Register and learn more by June 22. No prior dance experience is required.
A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available – apply here by June 22.

Threads Advanced-Professional Summer Dance Intensive

Performers and creators, join us for a powerful week of dance exploration from July 22-26.

Threads is proud to announce the return of our Summer IntensiveWe are offering a new structure that allows us to better support artists whose focus is performance, creation, or both.

Performer’s Track – 10:00am-2:30pm
Classes include Contemporary Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, African Umfundalai, and more.

Creator’s Track – 1:00-5:00pm
Classes include Repertoire, Composition, Improvisation, and studies on topics such as grant-writing and funding, producing a show, and more.

Both Performer’s and Creator’s Tracks – 10:00am-5:00pm
Offers a rigorous, full-day exploration of techniques and the chance to enhance yourself as a performer and choreographer.

Repertoire learned in the intensive may be part of the company audition on Saturday, July 27.

Come for part of the day or the full day! Learn more and register by July 6.

Threads Dance Project Open Company Audition

Threads Dance Project Open Audition
Saturday, July 27

Registration and self warm-up: 9:30-10:00am
Audition: 10:00am-12:30pm

Threads Dance Project is seeking a diverse group of male-identifying and female-identifying dancers ages 21+ who are versatile, quick learners, and fluent in a variety of dance forms for the fall 2024 season. Rehearsals begin August 12 with performances into November 2024

Availability and Schedule: You must be available for the following dates and times

  • August-November: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00am-12:30pm
  • Tech week: November 5, 6, and 7, 4:00-9:00pm
  • Performances: November 8, 9, and 10
  • Other performances are possible later in November.

Dancers are encouraged to register by Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

Please direct questions regarding the audition to Karen Christ Aalgaard: kchrist@threadsdance.org, 612-354-3978