Archive

Get Up to Get Down: Exploring Joy and Solidarity through Group Dances

Join Young Dance and Alexandra Beaumont for: 

Get Up to Get Down: Exploring Joy and Solidarity through Group Dances

Wednesday, December 8, 2021
7:00-9:00p.m.

More than a traditional workshop, this is a semi-choreographed dance party. Participants will start with a few classic group dances, feeling what it’s like to move together. Then, Beaumont will teach a movement phrase she’s been developing, exploring group movement in the form of parade and procession.

“My hope is to share some joyful movement and experiment with a group dance that travels across space. The goal is to find a choreographic passage that is easy to share, learn, and join. One that can be repeated again and again without becoming boring, and that maintains a coherent structure and flow while leaving room for individual flourishes.” –Alex Beaumont

Alexandra Beaumont, a black, mixed-race woman born and raised in South Carolina, is currently a Workroom Resident at Young Dance. Alex has a degree in design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and explores her creative work in dance and textile work in Minnesota and nationally.

Please register by December 8 at noon: https://forms.gle/6skcY77NTXAwMLHY6. We can also take registration at the event.

More information or to share: https://fb.me/e/33D36KKs6

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 information.

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

Generating Room Application Deadline Extended

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

New on Mn Artists: Choreographers’ Evening 2021 Articles

Read a series of articles published in conjunction with Choreographers’ Evening 2021, curated by Valerie Oliveiro and edited by Emily Gastineau:
– Re: Writing for the Walker/Mn Artists by Julie Tolentino
– For All Your Life by Leslie Cuyjet
– When the Beings in the Room Come Alive by Kayva Yang with Arneshia Williams, Megan Mayer, Tumelo Khupe, and Emily Michaels King
– I Observe You Observing Me: Dance and Performative Utopias by Sam Aros Mitchell

Cassandra School Online and In-Studio Classes

Join our dance-learning community of all ages, sizes, and levels of experience to participate in the creative expression and health and fitness benefits of Middle Eastern dance. The beauty of this dance form is that it makes you feel wonderful in your own body.

We now have in-studio options for beginners and all students! Or, you may choose to take these same classes online through Zoom.

Go to cassandraschool.com to choose from our ongoing classes, register, and pay in advance using PayPal. Purchase 4 or more classes and receive a $2 discount per class! All class registrations close at 8:00pm CT the night before each class.

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.

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; is ADA compliant and has two gender-neutral changing rooms. Its large windows and garage door allow for an abundance of natural light and fresh air.

NOTE: Masks are required for all individuals. Click here for Threads’ complete safety plan.

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 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.

Hourly Rental Rates
Extended rentals may be eligible for additional discounts on a case-by-case basis.
General Usage (for-profit, events, etc.): $22 per hour
501(c)3 / Individual Artists: $20 per hour
BIPOC / College Students: $18 per hour

AMP Offers Weekly Contemporary Movement 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, agency in choice-making, and empowerment within each individual’s own unique body.

Led by AMP Co-Director, Joanna Lees. Knee pads recommended. Suitable for advanced/professional movers.

Curiosity, Connection, Community, Choice

Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30am
Through December 15

In-person and synchronous Zoom/virtual options.
In the newly renovated Center for Performing Arts.
Masks required unless otherwise specified.
Registration strongly encouraged for in person, but not required.
Registration is required for Zoom option. To receive the Zoom link via email, you must register no later than 30 minutes prior to class time.

Rates
Single Practice: $15
5 Practices: $70
10 Practices: $130
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Please email alternativemotionproject@gmail.com for low/no cost options.

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

Young Dance is thrilled to offer Beginning Breaking beginning January 5, 2022, 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.
4:30–5:30pm
Ages 8-13
Fee: $266

Register.youngdance.org

Renting TU Dance Center Studios

TU Dance Center is available for rental when not in use by TU Dance’s programming.

TU Dance Center features:

Reception area and front desk for check-in or event use; access to adjacent dressing room and green room with kitchenette are available upon request.

Both studios: sprung dance floor with Marley-type surface by Harlequin, wall of mirrors, portable ballet barre units 10′ in length, room-level sound system with CD and mini-jack inputs, 50′ LCD TV cart for presentation and videoconferencing. Large windows providing ample natural light.

Studio 1 only: a curtain that can be drawn on entire mirror, wall-mounted ballet barres of 27′ and 33′.

Studio 1: 60′x34′
Studio 2: 46’x21′

Rental Fees:
Individual Artists: $18/hour
Nonprofit Organizations: $22/hour – rehearsals
Other rental inquiries (for-profit, classes, workshops, auditions, life events, photo sessions, filming, etc.), please contact us.