Archive

Erin Thompson Teaches Advanced Contemporary Classes In Person

Erin’s advanced level contemporary hybrid class through Zenon Dance School includes floor work, standing warm-ups, and phrase work, all designed to enhance the healthy use of joints and muscle groups as dancers release their weight fully into the support of the ground. Experiential awareness, body mapping, improvisation, and creative work are included as dancers channel their own expressive artistry within the movement. The delightful Dean Magraw will accompany on guitar.

Thursday mornings, 9:30-11:00am

Registration is open through Zenon’s MindBody portal and closes ten minutes before class.
See you, in person or virtually, soon!

Zenon Dance School

Ayumi Shafer Presents Our Home

In collaboration with photographic artist Sarah Weiss, Our Home aspires to amplify some voices of the AAPI community through explorations of family traditions and personal experiences of living in the Midwest.

Choreography: Ayumi Shafer in collaboration with the dancers

Core Dancers: Tori Breen, Shannon Hartle, Morgan Morrissey, Patience Stellmach

Friday, November 19
7:00pm
Free to attend!

Learn more: https://www.thecowlescenter.org/tickets/ourhome

Move to the Max: Virtual Edition ’21 – Celebrate MN Dance this Friday

Alternative Motion Project presents
Move to the Max: Virtual Edition ’21

Get moving and celebrate Give to the Max Day with a vibrant and eclectic movement event. Alternative Motion Project organizes and presents Move to the MAX: Virtual Edition ’21, featuring:

Alternative Motion Project
Ballet Co.Laboratory
Black Label Movement
CAAM Chinese Dance Theater
Concerto Dance
DanceBARN Collective
Dans Askina Turkish Dance Ensemble
Hatch Dance
HoneyWorks
Rhythmically Speaking
STRONGmovement

These organizations combine forces for an exciting and special event celebrating movement in Minnesota. Enjoy compelling content from the comfort of your own home that includes a variety of distinct performances and films by each company. Join us for the “Great Minnesota Give Together” to support these companies’ great work.

Move to the Max: Virtual Edition ’21
Friday, November 19* at 7:00pm
Streaming online.
*NOTE: The day after Give to the Max Day

Entry to the event requires a 100% tax-deductible donation in any amount to at least one of the performing companies as part of Give to the Max Day (GttMD) through November 18, 2021.

​Donations can be made to any participating organization. Please reference each company’s website for how they are accepting donations for GttMD. Each organization will send the live stream link instructions/information directly to its GttMD patrons. If you have NOT received the live stream link and have donated, contact the organization or AMP directly.

Learn More
This is the fourth annual iteration of AMP’s Move to the Max and the second time the event will be held online. AMP held an open call through DanceMN News for movement organizations of all kinds to participate. The captivating evening will offer just some of what MN has to offer with a wide range of movement styles/genres including:

  • A blend of West African, ballet, modern, and hip hop forms
  • Ballet
  • ​Chinese cultural movement forms
  • Contemporary/modern
  • Community-based practices
  • Dance-theater
  • Interdisciplinary and experimental
  • Jazz and American social dance-inspired
  • Turkish Oryantal, Romani, and folkloric dances

Please direct any and all questions to alternativemotionproject@gmail.com.

Bharatanatyam Classes at the Ragamala Training Center

At the Ragamala Training Center, students receive classical training in the style of Bharatanatyam carefully created by the internationally renowned Padma Bhushan Alarmel Valli, considered to be one of India’s greatest living masters. This style is distinguished by its technical perfection and grace, and Artistic Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy are dedicated to preserving and carrying on their guru’s tradition and passing it on to the next generation of dancers.

Ragamala classes provide students with rigorous training while giving them an opportunity to learn about, preserve, and immerse themselves in the arts and culture of India. Ragamala Training Center’s unique program stresses artistic excellence and a professional level of training while fostering cultural awareness.

Ragamala Training Center offers introductory through advanced level classes for ages 7 through adult.

Introductory Class
Saturdays, 3:15-4:00pm
Online via Zoom
Classes run October 2021-May 2022
You can view the full calendar here: https://www.ragamaladance.org/school-calendar

Registration
Please use this link to submit your registration: https://forms.gle/oXRMupDLPcUnFmqC8

New Student Introductory Tuition
Full year tuition = $800
Paid in installments = $450 Fall Semester and $450 Spring Semester
We also offer discounts for families enrolling more than one student. For more information, please go to:
https://www.ragamaladance.org/training-center

The Ragamala Training Center welcomes students with prior experience in Bharatanatyam to audition for upper level classes. Please contact us at admin@ragamaladance.org before registering for classes beyond the introductory level.

Ashwini Ramaswamy’s Let the Crows Come

Ashwini Ramaswamy’s Let the Crows Come invokes the metaphor of crows as messengers for the living and guides for the departed to channel memory and homeland, guidance and dislocation.

Featuring Ashwini Ramaswamy, Alanna Morris-Van Tassel, and Berit Ahlgren, the south Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam is deconstructed and recontextualized to recall a memory that has a shared origin but is remembered differently from person to person. Set to an original recorded score of classical south Indian instrumentation, electro-acoustic cello, and electronics/turntables.

Covid19: 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.

Young Dance Fall Classes

Young Dance is excited for the 2021-22 academic year. Register for your favorite dance classes and instructors, 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, All Abilities Dancing, Modern, Ballet, Choreography, Performing Company, and more.

Choreographers’ Evening 2021: Curated by Valerie Oliveiro

Since 1972 this post-Thanksgiving tradition has celebrated an array of up-and-coming and established contemporary and experimental movement makers in Minnesota. This year’s program—curated by queer, performance-based artist Valerie Oliveiro—showcases a fresh lineup of provocative, compelling, and diverse works that speaks to the past year in our communities.

Choreographers’ Evening 2021 features Jessika Enoh Akpaka, Kealoha Ferreira, Judith Holo Shuǐ Xiān, Khary Jackson, Sachiko “La Chayí,” José A. Luis, Marcela Michelle, Pedro Pablo, Kayla Schiltgen, Yuki Tokuda, and Wattanak Dance Troupe.

Saturday, November 27
4:00pm and 7:00pm

This event is held in the McGuire Theater; the 7:00pm performance will also be live streamed and the link will be posted on the night of the show.

Some performances contain mature content and nudity.

Mask-wearing is required for this event. For this event, the Walker will require either proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination regimen or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.

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.

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.

Twin Cities Ballet’s Mini-Nutcracker

You are invited to “The Mini-Nutcracker,” a delightful abbreviated version of Twin Cities Ballet’s classic, A Minnesota Nutcracker. “The Mini-Nutcracker” is designed to introduce children to the magic of the family favorite.

This beloved holiday tradition with soaring music by Tchaikovsky promises to hold the attention of even the youngest theatergoer. Suitable for all ages, this version is less than an hour and is performed by cast members of Twin Cities Ballet’s full-length production. A perfect holiday treat!

Tuesday, November 30
11:00am and 6:00pm
$12-$15