Archive

Ananya Dance Theatre Ongoing Classes

Find rhythm, groundedness, and flow with dance classes at Ananya Dance Theatre’s Shawngrām Institute for Performance and Social Justice.

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).

Body Watani – Pop-Up Class Final 2 Weeks
Tuesdays, May 3-31, 10:00-11:30am CT
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

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.

Studio Space Available in South Minneapolis

Over 2000 square feet with windows, two mirrored walls, and a sprung hardwood floor. We are fully set up to handle your online Zoom classes and have many morning and daytime openings for you to come and hold or record your classes or rehearsals! The Jawaahir Dance Company Minneapolis location is conveniently located at 3010 Minnehaha Ave in The Hook and Ladder building. Only two blocks from the Lake Street/Midtown light rail station, and on the 7, 21, 27, and 53 bus routes. Off-street parking and bike rack.

Email all inquiries with your requested rental date(s) to genmanager@jawaahir.org.

$20 per hour. Rates quoted are for dance-related rentals only. Sorry, no party rentals and no dance socials. No Irish shoes or tap shoes permitted. Rental fees may change at the discretion of Jawaahir.

James Sewell Ballet Open Company Class and Coordi™ Class

Open Company Class – Ballet unless noted otherwise:

May 25
Wednesday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Leah Gallas, with Eric Jensen on piano

May 30-June 1
Monday – No class, Memorial Day
Tuesday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Kerry Parker, with Pat Lyles on piano
Wednesday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Leah Gallas, with Eric Jensen on piano

June 6-8
Monday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Eve Schulte
Tuesday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Kerry Parker, with Pat Lyles on piano
Wednesday, 10:00-11:30am CT – Leah Gallas, with Eric Jensen on piano

Coordi™ Class
Virtual-only at this time:
Ongoing – Wednesdays, 10:00am-11:00am CT taught by James Sewell

What is Coordi™? It’s a movement study based on multiple kinetic patterns happening at once. Physical brain teasers combine with ballet for unexpected pathways and alignments that challenge both your mind and body! Learn more about Coordi™ here.

Sign up for in-person company class or virtual Coordi class at: www.jsballet.org/classes

New Evening Jazz Class Offering – MoveTogethers with Rhythmically Speaking

Join Rhythmically Speaking for this new evening jazz class offering!

MoveTogethers are our weekly company class of sorts, titled as such to reflect their collaborative nature in which we improvise and create together in addition to moving through material from RS Artistic and Executive Director Erinn Liebhard and guest artists.

We are excited to be opening our MoveTogethers up to the public this summer so pre-professional and professional dancers in our community can join in the jazz! Our approach to jazz emphasizes the elements of groove, interaction and improvisation that we see as present within all American social dance styles, honors the African diasporic roots of the form, and is driven by jazz music.

This first session of open MoveTogethers will run Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00pm at the Cowles Center in downtown Minneapolis, starting June 8 and ending August 3. Each class is just $10.00, which can be paid in cash or via Venmo after taking class.

We hope to see you there!

Photo: Bill Cameron

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.

Dance Research Opportunity

Hey, Minnesota Dancers!

Are you or someone you know a dancer interested in an opportunity  to participate in a research study?
If yes, you must have been dancing for 3 hours per week for the past 2 years to participate.

As a participant in a research study of flexibility, motor control, and kinematics of the hip joint, participants’ hip range of motion will be assessed and you will be taught exercises and stretches to perform before we test you again in three weeks.

You get to be a part of a research, try some new exercises out, and get compensated Amazon gift cards. Participants will also be awarded a $10 Amazon gift certificate for the initial visit and another $10 for the follow up!

If you are interested or have questions pertaining to the research, please email the principal investigator Dr. Ana Ribeiro at ribeiro@augsburg.edu or Janell Howard, Research Assistant, at howardjj@augsburg.edu.

We would love to have dancers participate in this opportunity and get to know more dancers in the Twin Cities! Thank you for your time and consideration and support.

Adult Drop-In Classes at Ballet Co.Laboratory

A light-skinned dancer in a red leotard reaches arms out in first arabesque

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 11 different adult drop-in classes offered each week, including conditioning and Pilates, we know we have the right class for you! 

Join us in-person or virtually via Zoom. All dancers must sign-in on Mindbody. Class sign-in will close 10 minutes before class begins. Single class and 10-class cards are available and parking is always free! 

Learn more or sign up for a class here: https://bit.ly/AdultTeenBCL .

Rent Space at Ballet Co.Laboratory

Need space to train, create, and/or rehearse? Ballet Co.Laboratory has five affordable studio spaces for rent. With sprung floors, high ceilings, natural lighting, surround sound speakers, lobby space, changing rooms, wi-fi access, kitchenette, and free parking we can accommodate groups of any size.

To inquire about your rental, please email info@balletcolaboratory.org or  call 651.313.5967.

Summer at Ballet Co.Laboratory

Classes and programs for Summer 2022 at the School of Ballet Co.Laboratory are now enrolling!

The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory offers the finest dance education to artists of all ages and abilities in a nurturing and welcoming environment. Our summer programming gives students the opportunity to train with locally and nationally acclaimed dance professionals who are dedicated to the growth of each individual student. 

To learn more or to register click here: https://bit.ly/SummerBCL

Spring to it and Make Your Donation to DanceMN this May!

Greetings Dance Community:

Happy Spring! In this season of flowering, we invite a moment of reflection, allowing our seeds to take root and foster new growth. It is always a time for gratitude, and we thank you for your connection and commitment toward helping DanceMN continue to flourish.

DanceMN: All are connected to dance in Minnesota

In fulfilling its purpose of connecting all in Minnesota to dance, DanceMN asks for your help. Our slow and steady work bears fruit, but only with the help of individuals like you, who heartfully contribute. Consider giving a gift today.

Your dollars will help us sustain our recent accomplishment of hiring an additional part-time staffer. We are also in the process of identifying how to sustainably keep our new website up to date and responsive while working to include a History Page. Ongoing work includes sending out the weekly e-newsletter, primarily comprised of content from you: class and performance information, auditions, special opportunities, and much more. All posts offer connection across Minnesota and beyond.

DanceMN needs your help to continue this meaningful and necessary work! Whether you are a reader or regular poster, please contribute today. Thank you in advance for your generosity, enabling DanceMN to continue promoting and supporting dance growth in Minnesota.

Before the weeds of summer take over, spring to it and make your donation to DanceMN this May!

Sincerely,

DanceMN Steering Committee:

Ashley Chin-Mark, Rahila Coats, Penelope Freeh, Joanne Gordon, Sarah LaRose-Holland, Jim Lieberthal, Kaya Lovestrand, Zofia Mathews, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Eve Schulte, Julie Warder, and Arneshia Williams