Archive

ARENA DANCES and ASI Present THERMAL: An Interdisciplinary Installation

THERMAL is a dialogue – through movement, form and sound – centered on Earth’s changing environment. With the effects of climate change here, Thermal invites viewers to slow down and appreciate our natural surroundings while simultaneously delivering a sense of urgency to act along with anxiety for what might happen next.

Set in the historic Turnblad Mansion at The American Swedish Institute, Kim Heidkamp’s sculptural paper artwork sprawls from the ballroom stage across the floor, much like a creature from Norse mythology asleep in the landscape. Scores by composer Joshua Clausen and choreography by Mathew Janczewski of ARENA DANCES activate the work, drawing the viewer in.

This interdisciplinary installation is the culmination of a series of in-progress, outdoor showings by ARENA DANCES, with a month-long premiere February 25-March 19. The artwork, as well as video and content about the collaboration, will be on display in the Mansion throughout the course of the exhibition.

Remaining performance dates: March 12 – March 19

  • Friday and Saturday, 7:00pm
  • Select matinees will take place on Saturday, March 12 and 19 at 1:00pm, during museum hours.

Live performances by Rachel Clark, Dustin Haug, and José A. Luis.

Merges in March Week Two – Herb Johnson III and Lieutenant Sunnie

This untitled work will share the joy of “beating the odds.” Lieutenant Sunnie and Herb Johnson III come from different backgrounds but have reached similar outcomes thanks to resilience and perseverance. Through adversity, they found focus, and each accomplished goals that led them to where they are currently.

Covid-19 Policy: Effective September 1, 2021, all visitors to the Cowles who are attending a performance/event in our theater spaces are required to show either proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations administered at least 14 days prior to the show or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the performance/event. Masks are required throughout the Cowles. For more information about our health and safety guidelines and getting to The Cowles Center, click here.

TCB’s The Wall: A Rock Ballet at the Fitzgerald Theater

Twin Cities Ballet’s groundbreaking hit show makes its St. Paul premiere at the historic Fitzgerald Theater, with live music by popular local band, Momentary Lapse of Floyd – a first for all three organizations. Based on Pink Floyd’s iconic 1979 rock opera, TCB’s The Wall: A Rock Ballet is an ingenious fusion of genres that will captivate ballet patrons, music fans, and the artistically curious alike.

TCB’s ballet interprets the original Pink Floyd rock opera’s music, themes, story arc and lyrics on a personal, rather than political, level. It explores the life and various relationships with the main character, “Pink,” and follows his transformative journey of loss, isolation, insanity and redemption. Through its insightful original interpretation of the emotion and power of Pink Floyd’s story and music, TCB brings this classic rock masterpiece to life like never before!

Pink Floyd’s The Wall: A Rock Ballet
Performed by Twin Cities Ballet, with live music by Momentary Lapse of Floyd
March 12 at 7:30pm, and March 13 at 2:00pm

Tickets from $37.50–$52.50, available at twincitiesballet.org/tickets. Tickets are also available for purchase in-person at the Depot Tavern.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through an operating support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Alternative Motion Project Presents 10//X

AMP makes a thrilling and long-awaited return to live performances for 10//X to celebrate our milestone tenth season performance.

Featuring five distinct original works, the electrifying evening of contemporary dance investigates a range of concepts relating to rhythm and groove, landscapes and climate issues, joy, paradox, and transcendence. 10//X showcases AMP’s dynamism and intense physicality that will inspire and delight audiences as we move BIG into the next decade.

This is Alternative Motion Project’s first live, indoor, in-person theatrical event since canceling our ninth season performance in March 2020 due to COVID-19. 10//X will also be Kristin Howe’s last performance acting as Co-Artistic Director.

World Premieres
Kristin Howe, Joanna Lees, Erinn Liebhard, Brenna Mosser

Featured Collaborations
Dameun Strange – Sound
Cole Sarar – Spoken Word

Company
Stephanie Flanagan, Laura K Johnson, Zoë Koenig, Julia Moser-Hardy, Brenna Mosser, Erin Ross, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, Addie Smith, Bridget Tegen, Lauren Vanchina, and Guest Artist Crissy Tolson

Performances

  • Friday, March 18 – 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 19 – 7:30pm
  • Sunday, March 20 – 2:00pm – Post-show Q&A, pay-as-able, ASL interpreted

Tickets
General Admission – $20 in advance, $24 at the door
Senior – $18 in advance, $22 at the door
Student/children under 12 – $18 in advance and at the door

Purchase Tickets

COVID-19 precautions will be required for audience members.

Ballet Co.Laboratory – The Four Seasons and Other String Pairings

The Four Seasons: choreographed by Joseph Morrissey

Beginning with the first blossoms of Spring, through the heat of Summer, into the twirls of Fall, and finally the swirling of Winter snow, The Four Seasons makes Vivaldi’s notes dance off of the page. Intricate footwork, unpredictable partnering, and elaborate movement patterns bring the feeling, color, and happenings of each season to life. Performed by the Company of Ballet Co.Laboratory to a live string quartet made up of the Twin Cities’ finest musicians, this work celebrates the splendor and cadence of each season.

Shifts: choreographed by Kinsun Chan 

Inspired by the shape, movement and sound of the cello, Kinsun Chan brings the music of Bach to life with 13 dancers and one cellist. Known for his intricate use of lighting and architecture, Kinsun explores different dimensions of this iconic music allowing the dancers and musician to move as one.

Danse Macabre: choreographed by Genevieve Waterbury

Danse Macabre is based on Saint-Saëns’ poem Dance Macabre which has become a metaphor for how chaos and order depend on each other. In this piece, dancers navigate the push and pull of daily responsibilities, discover others on similar paths, and embrace the power of unison. 

Choreography by: Kinsun Chan, Joseph Morrissey, and Genevieve Waterbury

Performed by: The Company Dancers of Ballet Co.Laboratory, the Performance Ensemble of The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory, and select musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera

Performance Dates:

  • Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:30pm
  • Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 2:00pm

Tickets start at $28 – https://bit.ly/FourSeasonsBCL

The Cowles Center requires audience members ages 5+ to EITHER show proof of vaccination OR proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of performance. Additionally, all audience members must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while inside the venue.

Black Label Movement Presents Canary, Crimson then Emerald

Join us for our newest evening length experience built off of our repertory work “Canary” and our two newest creations “Crimson” and “Emerald.”

We’re crafting an energetic sense of past, present and future in orbit with our company’s personal experiences with lockdowns and navigating what it means to come back together physically.

Performance dates:

  • April 8, 7:30pm
  • April 9, 7:30pm
  • April 10, 2pm

The Young Dance Board of Directors Presents a Menu of Great Gatherings

As part of the spring fundraising campaign, the Young Dance Board of Directors will offer multiple events for donation. Select one – or many – of the gatherings from the menu to join in the fun!

Virtual Pilates Mat Class
April 30, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Join an all levels mat Pilates class led by Abby Frank Taylor! We will go through a series of gentle movements and build some heat as we go. Modifications and support will be provided throughout using things you can find around your house.
Zoom link sent upon registration. Suggested donation $10-20/person

Dance Celebration
May 15, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Following the final Young Dance Spring Performance, celebrate with an opportunity to dance together! Paul McCluskey will lead an Irish Ceili dance experience.
Suggested donation $5-10/person

Virtual Cooking – Goat Cheese
May 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Learn to make goat cheese from home with Soph Myers-Kelley! Impress friends and family with simple skills and in less than an hour.
Zoom link sent upon registration. Suggested donation $20/person

Virtual Cooking – Sushi Making
May 28, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Learn the basics of sushi making from home with Soph Myers-Kelley! Your new skills will save you money and you are guaranteed to laugh at how silly your first rolls look!
Zoom link sent upon registration. Suggested donation $20/person

Register by emailing info@youngdance.org. Donations can be made online here, or by check to Young Dance, sent to 655 Fairview Ave North St. Paul, MN, 55104.

We are so excited to gather with you in 2022, and thank you for supporting Young Dance. 

Concerto Dance Master Class with Visiting Artist Steve Rooks

Join Concerto Dance for an open master class with our visiting Guest Artist, Steve Rooks!

Saturday, March 12, 1:00-3:00pm at the Cowles Center for Dance, Tek Box

Mr. Rooks will be teaching a two-hour modern master class influenced by Horton and Graham techniques geared for professional and pre-professional dancers.

  • Space is limited
  • Masks required
  • Pre-registration highly recommended
  • Cost for class is $20

Visit www.concertodance.com/classes for more information.

Steve Rooks studied dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and has performed classic works by Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, and Ulysses Dove. He joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1981 and was promoted to Principal Dancer. Currently he serves as Resident Choreographer and Professor of Dance at Vassar College, and is a Guest Instructor at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, The Martha Graham Dance Company, and American Academy of Ballet. He has also taught at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico, International Summer School in Sydney, Australia and the Studio Centre de Dance in Paris, France. He is a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance. In 2020, Mr. Rooks joined the Board of Trustees for the Martha Graham Dance Company.

Offered in partnership with the Cowles Center for Dance.

TU Dance Center: Dancing Together – Session 2

A child and parent/caregiver creative movement class, this 8-week workshop is designed for children ages 2-4 and their parent/caregiver who are interested in a shared movement experience that engages the senses of curiosity and play.

Both child and caregiver will participate in developmentally appropriate movement exercises that incorporate elements such as effort, shape, and tempo. Music will play an essential role in the class, as students will be asked to respond to sounds as well as make sounds themselves. Participants will be encouraged to join at their own comfort level with the understanding that observation is often the best form of learning with younger children.

This class will give children and caregivers the opportunity to learn more about themselves and one another through the art form of dance.

Session 2: March 12–May 14

  • Saturdays, 9:00-9:45am
  • 8 weeks – No class on April 9 and 16.
  • Tuition: $120.00