Dance Class with Mathew Janczewski

The students and I will open up curiosity, finding internal pathways within the body and the contrast of those same pathways to promote extension of skeletal mobility beyond one’s own range. An assortment of texture, speed, density, length, force and resistance will be taught to open these skills.

My work is best described as contemporary, spanning an array of styles – from quietly evocative to physically demanding, full of spiraling momentum that draws energy in the core and spreads it out like disco ball beams of light. At times focusing on the dancers’ bends and folds, creating shape as one shifts and moves. My work strives to create moments of connection.

Fridays, 10:00-11:30am
January 7-April 8
Pre-register at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/
Drop-in $17.

Flexible pricing and free parking!

Mathew Janczewski’s inquisitive, immersive and heartfelt approach to contemporary dance reaches beyond the surface and holds the viewer in its embrace. With over 35 works in his repertoire and more than two decades of experience as a choreographer, Mathew has cultivated a highly diverse and mesmerizing style of movement.

Mathew’s work has garnered praise in the Twin Cities and beyond. He has created commissioned works for companies such as Minnesota Dance Theater, Cleveland Repertory Co., aTrek Dance, and Zenon Dance Company. He was the Bates Festival choreographer (2001), received the Sage Award for Outstanding Performance (2005) and won the McKnight Choreographers Fellowship (2005). In 2008, Dance Magazine named him as one of their “25 to Watch.”

Shortly after receiving his degree in dance at the University of Minnesota and performing internationally, Mathew founded his own non-profit dance company, ARENA DANCES, in 1995. ARENA serves as the vehicle for his body of work and provides young, aging and underserved segments of the Twin Cities community with opportunities to experience the transformative power of dance.

Capoeira with Jim Bozic and Miles Blount

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art that combines martial arts, dance, and culture, and provides an environment for people to develop themselves physically as well as mentally and emotionally.

Jim Bozic has been training capoeira for approximately seven years, and teaching for five – “I find the personal challenges of testing my abilities to be quite the humbling experience, but my main enjoyment from capoeira comes from the teaching aspect. Helping guide and shape my fellow students into achieving their potential comes as its own reward.”

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm

Drop-in $17. Flexible pricing and free parking!

Pre-register at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/

Non Edwards Teaches GYROKINESIS® Method at the ARENA

The Gyrokinesis® method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences. It is an original and unique method which coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.

Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm at The Arena

No class March 1. Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe teaches March 22-April 9.

Pre-register at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/
Flexible pricing and free parking!

Non Edwards is a dancer, choreographer, and GYROKINESIS® Method Trainer. She was first introduced to the GYROKINESIS® Method by Deborah Jinza Thayer. Non has studied with Domini Anne, Miriam Barbosa, Erika Hassan, Jane Gotch, and Kerry Parker. Cross-training with the GYROKINESIS® Method supports Non’s career as a freelance dancer.

Non has danced in DIY and non-art spaces as well as the Seattle Art Fair, Walker Art Center, Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Twin Cities’ Bedlam, Bedlam Lowertown, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Ritz, Fitzgerald, McGuire, Southern, and Goodale Theaters; in Massachusetts at Jacob’s Pillow; and in Hawai’i at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. In 2020 Non was awarded a McKnight Dancer Fellowship. She has been a member of ARENA Dances since 2016.

New Class at Young Dance–Beginning Breaking with Joseph “MN Joe” Tran

Young Dance is thrilled to offer Beginning Breaking with world-renowned breaker Joseph “MN Joe” Tran. In this class, students ages 8-13 will learn the fundamentals of breaking, including Toprocks, Go-downs, Footwork, Powermoves, and Freezes, in a supportive environment. In addition to learning technique, dancers will have opportunities to advance their freestyling/improvisation skills, as well as to develop choreography collaboratively with their peers. 

This class is for all abilities and experiences.

Breaking is an ever evolving art form and there are quite literally an endless amount of moves to learn! I hope that the dancers will develop self-efficacy. It is important in Breaking and Hip Hop to understand the history, tradition and culture of the moves and then to motivate oneself to take those lessons and create something new. The only way to do so is to work hard, develop discipline and have fun doing it!” —MN Joe

Wednesdays, January 5–May 18
4:30–5:30 p.m.

Ages 8–13
Fee: $266

Register.youngdance.org

Register for Young Dance Classes

The Young Dance 2021-22 academic year is still open for registration. Enroll in your favorite dance classes, or try some new moves with fresh faces! We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back into our space after a long time away.

Young Dance is committed to offering a fun and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our exceptional Teaching Artists bring an unparalleled level of excellence, where young artists can experience a myriad of styles and techniques. We provide a breadth of opportunities for youth to engage with dance in the way that feels best for them and that supports them in finding and lifting their voices.

Classes include Dance Together, Creative Movement, Hip Hop, Break Dancing, All Abilities Dancing, Modern, Ballet, Choreography, Performing Company, and more.

AMP’s Contemporary Movement Practice is Back

Curiosity, Connection, Community, Choice

Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30am
January 19–May 18
No practice March 16 or 23.
In-person and synchronous Zoom/virtual options.

Rates
Purchase 1 Single Practice/Drop In: $15
Purchase 5 Practices: $70 (save $5)
Purchase 10 Practices: $130 (save $20)
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Please email alternativemotionproject@gmail.com for low/no cost options or questions.

About the Practice
Move BIG, sweat and play in an energizing atmosphere each week! Movers will build awareness and explore expansive possibilities within their own individuality and identities. Through improvised and structured movement vocabulary, participants will be encouraged to research freedom, 3-D expansion, mobility, rigor, presence, and agency within an empowering experience.

Suitable for professional, pre-professional, and/or intermediate/advanced movers, ages 18+. Knee pads recommended. Led by AMP Co-Director, Joanna Lees. Come as you are!

Pre-registration strongly encouraged for in person, but not required. Registration information coming to our website soon!
Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to practice start time if participating in person.

If class size needs to be limited, priority will be given to those who are registered.
It is REQUIRED that you register 30 minutes prior to practice start time for the Zoom option.

CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 will be required. Masks required unless otherwise specified. For the most up to date policy, visit AMP’s website.

Photo: V. Paul Virtucio

Rent Creative Space at The Arena

Located in the heart of the LynLake community, The Arena is available for your rehearsal, class, and event needs!

Our space offers 1,305 square feet (30×40) of sprung floor, Marley dance flooring, full wall-length mirrors (with curtains for covering if preferred), free wifi and a changing room.

We are situated on multiple bus lines, including the 21, 4, 23, 612, 18, with plenty of free, street parking around the building.

To request space, please email arenadances@gmail.com

Dancing Our Way Out

In a burst of creative filmmaking, the University of Minnesota Dance Program students, faculty, and guests responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the call for social justice catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd.

Curated by UMN dance professors and choreographers Joanie Smith (Shapiro & Smith Dance) and Carl Flink (Black Label Movement), Dancing Our Way Out brings forward some of the truly unique and poignant cinematic visions produced by its community of embodied art makers and learners during the COVID winter, celebrating their rich diversity of perspectives, identity, and aesthetics.

Available as a livestream and on-demand.

Zenon Dance School – Call for 2022 Youth Summer Camp Instructors

Zenon provides instruction for dancers of all genders, orientations, abilities and levels of experience. A key part of our mission is providing quality dance classes for adult professional, community dancers, and youth in Minneapolis.

Zenon is seeking several new instructors to teach a variety of youth classes for our 2022 Youth Summer Camps. If you are passionate about working with young dancers and have experience teaching movement classes, we would love to hear from you.

Summer camp dates are still in the works, but we would love to know if you may be interested in teaching with us this summer.

Zenon is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

To apply please send a resume and class description(s) to hunter@zenondance.org by January 17, 2022. Class video samples are also welcome if you have one on hand.

Zenon Dance School – Xchange Program/Work-Study

We are looking for volunteers to be a part of our Xchange Program for the upcoming Winter Session! Xchange is Zenon’s work-study program that allows students to volunteer in exchange for dance class credit.

Online shift = one class credit

In-person shift = two class credits

If you are interested in working with the Xchange Program, please fill out this interest form: https://forms.gle/z6K1BhmGaH8QUTNw7