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Jolene Konkel Guest Teaches Hybrid Friday Morning Jazz Class

Friday Morning Jazz class welcomes our special guest artist Jolene Konkel who will teach the last class of Zenon’s Fall Session on December 17, 10:00-11:15am CST.

FMJ is an open-level, drop-in friendly, hybrid jazz dance class through Zenon Dance School. Dancers may attend in-person (masked and socially-distanced) or Zoom in for a high-quality Zoom experience.

Regular co-teachers Erinn Liebhard and Karla Grotting are thrilled to be hosting several guest teaching artists this year to highlight and explore the many varied approaches and insights of jazz dance teachers in our local dance community. Come out and support your local jazz class! Jolene is the founder and Artistic Director of the newest jazz dance company in the Twin Cities, Concerto Dance. Come celebrate her fresh take on classic jazz styles!

About Jolene Konkel:

Jolene Konkel began her dance training in Milwaukee under William Reilly, a descendent of Jerome Robbins’ Ballets USA. While in Milwaukee she performed with the Milwaukee Opera Company and Danceworks before relocating to Chicago to study jazz dance at Gus Giordano’s and the Lou Conte Dance Studio. She then migrated to Minneapolis where she completed her BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota and later received her MFA in Performance and Choreography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her choreography spans from the music theatre stage to concert dance and has been presented both locally and abroad. Currently Ms. Konkel oversees the dance program at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, and is the Artistic Director of Concerto Dance by Jolene Konkel.

Katha Dance Theatre Winter Class Session

Katha Dance Theatre (KDT) has been teaching and performing Kathak, the North Indian classical dance form, for over three decades. Kathak is an elegant dance form characterized by rhythmic footwork, graceful hand gestures, pirouettes, lyrical movements, and storytelling.

KDT’s winter class session began on December 4, 2021. We currently offer hybrid education options for all classes, and students are welcome to choose their learning preference depending on their comfort level. All in-person students are required to follow KDT’s health and safety policies detailed here, which includes wearing a mask in the studio at all times and providing proof of vaccination (if eligible).

There will be a class for new beginners of all ages six and older on Saturdays from 4:00-5:00 pm CT. The first New Beginner class was Saturday, December 11. The class is virtual-only in December but opens to in-person learning in January.

KDT is happy to offer need-based scholarships at the discretion of its teaching staff, and it welcomes dancers of all backgrounds and skill levels in the classroom! Email info@kathadance.org with any questions, and learn how to enroll here.

Ballroom Variety Holiday Dance

The first, third and fifth Sunday of the month!

6:00-7:00pm CT – Lesson
7:00-9:30pm CT – Dance

Sunday, December 19 – Viennese Waltz.

Generating Room Applications Close Friday

The Cowles Center’s Generating Room program is a six-month-long studio residency that supports three Minnesota artists and/or collectives in nurturing a work in progress through 100 hours of free rehearsal space, as well as marketing and administrative support. This program is intended for artists at any stage of their career who need time and space to develop a project or idea rooted in dance without the pressure of a completed end product.

Program proposals should leverage this opportunity to launch the project into the next steps and must involve a partnership with a distinct community or use community engagement as part of the proposal. Artists or organizations from outside of Minnesota may partner on the project, but the lead applicant must be based in Minnesota.

Competitive applications will bring a unique perspective, discussion, and engagement opportunity to the Minnesota arts community. Past Generating Room projects have included: open rehearsals, work-in-progress showings, roundtable discussions, workshop series, and film showings.

Learn more and apply: https://www.thecowlescenter.org/artist-residencies/generating-room

MFA in Dance at Minnesota State University, Mankato

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Minnesota State University, Mankato is now accepting applications for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance Graduate Program for Fall 2022. This three-year program includes tracks in performance and choreography and offers teaching opportunities, as well as graduate assistantships. The program offers applicants an opportunity to choreograph and perform in annual dance concerts and theatrical productions in beautiful venues including the newly renovated 450-seat Ted Paul Theatre, the intimate Andreas black box theatre, and multiple dance studios.

Graduate Students in the MFA Dance Program will have the opportunity to attend the annual American College Dance Association conference in the spring. Guest artists are invited into the program annually for performances of residencies. Students are supported by 13 faculty and staff members in the department with specialties including choreography, dance performance, history, lighting, costuming, musical theatre, directing, scenic design and public relations.

Priority Deadline: April 1, 2022. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by this date.

For information or to apply email Daniel Stark.

Space at The Arena

Rent Ssace at The Arena!

Located in the heart of the Lyn-Lake 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.

MotionArt Adult Modern Dance Classes

MotionArt’s mission is to share the art of dance and the joy of movement with people of all ages and abilities. We strive to enrich lives by fostering creativity, body awareness and self-expression in a fun, non-competitive, welcoming environment.

We offer ongoing dance classes in-studio, on Zoom and outside – weather permitting. Paying the regular rate helps keep our organization afloat; however, no one will be turned away for inability to pay. There is also an option to pay what you can.

Please go to motionartmn.org to sign up for classes, or contact Pam for info.

Ageless Dance
Monday, 4:00-5:15pm – Center for Performing Arts, Studio #105
Thursday, 4:30-5:45pm – Center for Performing Arts, Sunroom

Beginning Modern Dance
Tuesday, 5:00-6:15pm – Zoom only

Intermediate Modern Dance
Wednesday, 10:30am-12:00pm – Center for Performing Arts, Sunroom

Mixed Level Modern Dance
Tuesday, 7:00-8:15pm – Center for Performing Arts, Studio #105
Saturday, 4:00-5:30pm – Hybrid: Center for Performing Arts, Sunroom, and Zoom

Jeffrey Peterson Offers 1-1 Somatic Coaching in Bartenieff Fundamentals

Seeking greater sensory awareness and connectivity in your body? Or, do you wish to overcome an injury or habitual inefficiency?

Bartenieff Fundamentals (BF) is a series of movement exercises that does the above, encouraging greater function in any body. Jeffrey’s approach to BF focuses on anatomical concepts, imagery, and the developmental patterns championed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. The work considers the whole unique person and the involvements in life that generate physical habitual patterns.

Working together, we will establish goals and craft a plan – whether that is for one or a series of sessions. BF exercises, as well as how to process them in your mind/body, will be detailed. The work is collaborative and sensate; we will cyclically move and share.

Jeffrey certified in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (L/BMA) through Integrated Movement Studies in 2014. Since certifying, he’s taught L/BMA courses at the university level and worked with countless clients – including stroke patients, car accident victims, dancers, and actors. He has over 20 years experience as a movement educator and brings a sensitivity to the uniqueness of our individual embodiment to each client.

MotionArt Children’s Dance Classes

MotionArt focuses on nurturing children’s individual creativity while facilitating their understanding of the dance elements of space, time, and energy. Ages 3-6 explore these elements through playful, structured activities allowing them to expand their movement vocabulary, develop body awareness and gain self-confidence. Ages 7-9 explore the dance elements while being introduced to new movement skills and the creation of their own dances. Ages 9-12 expand their creative and kinesthetic awareness while learning basic movement skills of modern dance.

We offer ways for children to dance through outdoor classes, weather permitting, and at the Center for Performing Arts. Contact Pam Gleason for info. Please go to motionartmn.org to sign up for classes. There are various options for payment/donations, and no one will be turned away for inability to pay.

Starting December 4:

Saturday, 3:00-3:45pm – Ages 7-9
Center for Performing Arts, Sunroom

Rent the Young Dance Studios

Young Dance has two large studios available for rent in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. Easily accessible by the Green Line light rail, the 16 and 67 Bus Lines, and with ample parking in the Fairview Business Center parking lot. The space is fully ADA accessible with ramps to the sprung studio floor and automatic door openers. 

Rentals are available between the hours of 9:00am-3:00pm Monday through Friday, after 4:00pm on Saturday, and all day on Sundays. 

The studios are newly equipped with sprung Harlequin Marley flooring, a bluetooth speaker system, and wifi. There are no mirrors. The studio has a clear COVID safety plan including regular disinfecting of all floors and surfaces, as well as a new HVAC system which refreshes the air 7-8 times per hour. Renters will also have access to a large lobby (25’ x 29’) and up to 50 chairs. 

Studio 1: Measures 41′ x 38′ and rents at $25/hour

Studio 2: Measures 38′ x 38′ and rents at $20/hour

To book the space email kathleen@youngdance.org or call 612-423-3064. Payment is required upon confirmation of rental with a signed rental agreement and liability waiver.