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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
  • Sprung floors, barres, and mirrors
  • 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, 67).

To request space, please email nexusrentals@threadsdance.org. A nonrefundable deposit equal to one hour at the renter’s base rate is due to secure space.

Note: Masks are strongly recommended for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Click here for Threads’ complete safety plan.

Ananya Dance Theatre Ongoing Classes

Pop Up Class: Body Watani, July 5–August 30
Tuesdays, 10-11:30am CT with Noelle Awadallah
Body Watani (watani means homeland in Arabic) is both an improvisational movement practice and an emerging contemporary dance form developed by Leila and Noelle Awadallah, two Palestinian American dancers. The practice is a container with soft edges where improvisational research guides practitioners into their personal ‘body watani’ through spending time with ancestries, contemplating our complex relations to land/water/home, and activating embodied memories into one’s own dancing. Body Watani also manifests as a contemporary form with roots in dances of Arabic / *SWANA / Mediterranean lands through specific movement techniques, music of the region, and cultural/political content to engage with that deepens our relation to Body Watani’s context.

*SWANA: South West Asia North Africa

Intro to Yorchhā**
Saturdays, 9:00-10:00am CT with Parisha Rajbhandari
Envision justice through rhythmic footwork, flowing torso, and sustained breath in Intro to Yorchhā. Each class begins with a warm-up followed by foundational Yorchhā exercises and a fun choreographed phrase.

**Yorchhā is Ananya Dance Theatre’s trade-marked contemporary technique that intersects principles of vinyasa yoga, classical Indian dance form Odishi (from the eastern Indian state of Odisha), and martial art form Chhau (also from Odisha).

Wednesday Water Dances
Wednesday, 9:30-11:00am CT with Kealoha Ferreira
A weekly dedication to the vitality and life force of Water. We will offer breath, dance, meditation, story, song, and reflection in class. Each class will take shape a little differently, staying responsive to the ongoing movements protecting the value and longevity of water worldwide. Facilitated by Kealoha Ferreira, an Ananya Dance Theatre Artist, Wednesday Water Dances will begin with grounding movement, flow into dedicated time for personal practice/research/reflection, and close with collective sharing. All committed to deepening their relationship with water are welcome to participate.

Advanced Yorchhā
Friday, 6:00-7:00pm CT with Kealoha Ferreira
Dive into the nuance and complexity of Yorchhā. Advanced Yorchhā is designed to challenge and hone experienced movers through strength training, technique refinement, and intricate choreography. Previous Yorchhā experience is encouraged.

Yoga: Aligning With Land
Sundays, 3:00-4:00pm CT with Kealoha Ferreira
From Tadasana (mountain pose), the first asana in Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) A, we connect our feet to the ground and shift our internal landscape to find equity with the land that sustains us. Our practices of relationality and reciprocity are also building blocks for sustainable and regenerative body practices. This Vinyasa class introduces and deepens the fundamentals of structural and energetic alignment in Yoga while moving towards right-relationship between place and community. All are welcome to participate. Variations and modifications will be provided for multiple access points in each class. Mats and blocks are encouraged with limited supplies available at the Institute.

Threads Dance Project Company Audition

Saturday, August 6
Registration: 12:30-1:00pm
Audition: 1:00-3:00pm

Seeking dancers for 2022-23 Season. Dancer contracts begin August 15, 2022.

Threads Dance Project is seeking a racially/ethnically diverse group of dancers ages 21 and older. Men, women, and dancers with diverse gender identities are encouraged to apply.  Threads is seeking versatile dancers that are quick learners and are fluent in a variety of dance forms.

Dancers are encouraged to register by Wednesday, August 3, 2022, and upload a headshot and resume via the google form provided: Register!

Virtual audition format is available upon request. Please email kchrist@threadsdance.org ASAP and send materials via email by Friday, July 29, 2022.

Space will be limited to adhere to CDC Covid guidelines, and masks will be strongly encouraged inside the Nexus and during the audition. Threads Dance Nexus offers free parking and free side street parking, is a 5-minute walk from the Franklin Light Rail Station, and a 2-5 minute walk from the nearest bus stops (lines 2, 9, 22, 67).

Please direct questions regarding the audition to: Karen Christ Aalgaard – kchrist@threadsdance.org, (641) 512-7376

REFUGE: Seeking Paid Extras for Dance Film

REFUGE a film by Jennifer Arave

Set 100 years in the future, REFUGE contemplates a radically changed world after environmental and technological collapse. The world’s citizens have become climate nomads forced to leave their homes in search of new places where they can find shelter, food, water, and safety. In this world, the nomads can only travel by night, wearing hoods to shield them from the errant satellites still signaling to the digital implants within their brains.

Casting 15-20 extras. No dance experience necessary, but must feel comfortable with active daily movements (walking, lifted arms, laying on the ground). Okay to adapt movement for disability. Looking for diverse representations of identities. Seeking various gender identities, ages 18+. Especially seeking ages 55-80. Variety of racial, cultural, national identities, body types, and varied abilities are encouraged to apply. Send photo and bio to groundbreakerlabs@gmail.com.

More information available here.

Part-Time Dance Project Manager

The Walker Art Center is seeking a part-time, temporary Independent Project Manager to join the Walker’s Performing Arts team for the 2022-23 Performing Arts Season. This position will manage three performance-based projects, with a focus primarily on dance. This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension to a second year.

For the three assigned projects, the Independent Project Manager will work closely with artists and/or artist managers, Performing Arts staff, and other Walker colleagues as necessary to:

  • create and execute performance contracts;
  • manage all project schedules, logistics, and itineraries;
  • manage artistic issues (in consultation with Director/Senior Curator);
  • manage project-specific community engagement and/or residency activities;
  • track project budgets and reconcile project financials;
  • write grant reports as applicable;
  • contribute to marketing, public relations, and visitor services efforts;
  • and participate in relevant meetings, as needed.

TU Dance: CUL•TI•VATE, A Trainee Program

CUL·TI·VATE, A Trainee Program: curated encounters (in and outside the dance studio) designed to support and strengthen the total dance artist, advancing their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, agility, and acumen. Rooted in TU Dance’s vision of transformational communities, CUL·TI·VATE nurtures artistic excellence and the development of intellectual curiosities and moral character, finely tuned to ignite flourishing communities committed to shared humanity.  -Dr. Carol Marie Webster, PhD

Inspired by the next generation of dance artists, CUL·TI·VATE is a program designed as a bridge for dancers with advanced training between their educational perspective and envisioning themselves in the professional field. Through classes, workshops, choreographic processes, mentorship, community engagement, teaching, performance and more, dancers will connect and share experiences as a collective as well as expressing and gaining momentum towards their individual interests and goals beyond their time in the program. CUL·TI·VATE will embrace and support each dancer while fostering their unique artistic path centered in TU Dance’s values of excellence, belonging, creativity and transformation.

Age range: 18-24

To audition:
Interested dancers are strongly encouraged to attend the TU Dance Summer Intensive Level 4 or 5, July 25-August 13, 2022. Enrollment for single weeks is available. Scholarships available!

If unable to attend the Summer Intensive, please email the following to laurel.keen@tudance.org by August 15, 2022:

  • Resume and Cover Letter expressing your interest and goals for participating in CUL·TI·VATE.
  • Performance Reel: 3 minutes max and may include studio or performance footage which clearly shows the individual instead of group work.
  • An in-person or virtual meeting may be scheduled as part of the audition process.

Dancers will receive notification of their acceptance into the CUL·TI·VATE program by August 29, 2022.

CUL·TI·VATE Interest/Questions: For any questions about the program, and to let us know if you are taking the TU Dance Summer Program as part of the audition, please email: laurel.keen@tudance.org.

Dance Instructors and Choreographers

Midwest Youth Dance Theatre ( MYDT), established in Roseville for over 25 years, is looking for additions to our team of instructors. We especially need the following:

  • Preschool and Kindergarten ballet, tap or creative movement teachers
  • Hip hop teacher for all ages
  • Ballet, jazz, modern and/or musical theatre teacher for preteen and early teen dancers

We offer classes based on a school year with both a winter and a spring performance. The best candidates will have the energy to bring joy while perfecting skills of our dancers!

Please email us and include your areas of interest, experience, and availability.

Generating Room Applications Now Open

Supported by the Jerome Foundation, The Cowles Center’s newest Generating Room Program: Choreography Development, is an 8-month long studio residency that supports four early career Minnesota choreographers in nurturing a work in progress through:

  • $3,000 stipend
  • 200 hours of free rehearsal space
  • access to a $500 stipend for a mentor
  • administrative support

This program is intended for Minnesota choreographers who need time and space to develop a project or idea rooted in dance without the pressure of a completed end product. Choreographers will be selected through a scored application process by our Programs and Education committee.

Applications are due Friday, August 19. Click HERE to learn more and apply today!

Celebration of Michael Engel’s Life

A celebration of Michael Engel’s life will be held Sunday, July 24 at 6:00pm at Four Seasons Dance Studio. Entrance to the studio is through the alley behind Cafe Lurcat.

There will be a dance performance homage to Michael by Rebecca Abas and Dennis Yelkin, joined by other dancers close to Michael, with a contact improvisation jam to follow.