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Threads Dance Nexus: Rent Our Space

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.

A new ventilation system and thorough cleaning between each use are compliant with guidelines for Covid-19 preparedness plans. Face coverings are required at all times and our maximum studio capacity is ten people, to allow for adequate distancing.

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).

A nonrefundable deposit equal to one hour at the renter’s base rate is due to secure space.

To request space, please email nexusrentals@threadsdance.org.

Call for Proposals for Off Leash Area’s Off-Kilter Cabaret

Off-Leash Area’s new community program, Off-Kilter Cabaret, is designed to highlight and support artists with disabilities. Seven artists will be selected by a panel of leaders in the disability community to perform their works in the inaugural Off-Kilter Cabaret. The theme of this year’s Cabaret is “Organ Recital,” which we hope will provoke artists to propose risky, unapologetic, and entertaining performances using their body organs and systems as inspiration.

The Off-Kilter Advisory Group and Selection Panel are: writer and storyteller Amy Salloway, arts accessibility consultant Jon Skaalen, dance artist Mike Cohn, host of the Disability and Progress program on KFAI Sam Jasmine, and Off-Leash Area Co-Artistic Directors Paul Herwig and Jennifer Ilse.

The Off-Kilter Cabaret will be presented in the outdoor rail court at the Mill City Museum on August 19, 20, and 22. Locally known as the site of the Mill City Farmers’ Market, Off-Leash Area will construct an accessible elevated stage with full lighting, sound, and projection capability, and retain the steampunk vibe of the reclaimed industrial site. We will require physically distanced seating, masks, and other protocols using CDC and state COVID guidelines at the time of the performances as the minimum baseline for requirements.

Artist Proposals: We are looking for live performances, 5-10 minutes in length, original and unique, challenging and provoking.

The Call for Proposal Form is available at http://www.offleasharea.org/off-kilter.html

Applications due by June 14.

Questions can be sent to Paul Herwig at offleash@offleasharea.org.

TU Dance Center: Renting TU Dance Center

TU Dance Center is available for rental when not in use by the school.

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′

Northrop Presents ABT Across America

American Ballet Theatre Announces Summer Tour – New York Times

American Ballet Theatre will take to the road this summer, traveling by bus and truck to eight U.S. cities including Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Northrop will present ABT Across America for four outdoor performances at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Watch the performance in style by preordering your exclusive ABT Across America X Northrop at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum merchandise by noon June 11, 2021 (see below).

The performance and seating area will be outdoors on an open lawn near the Red Barn and Bee and Pollinator Center at the Arboretum. Seating will be divided into three price zones, and seating within those zones will be general admission.

Bring your own chair for the performance, or preorder limited edition ABT Across America blankets or chairs as a souvenir of this unique event. Only VIP ticket purchases include a free chair to keep, otherwise, chairs will not be provided by the Arboretum or Northrop.

In addition to the opportunity to see America’s National Ballet Company® in this breathtaking outdoor performance, your ticket purchase will include free parking and all-day admission to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Named the Best Botanical Garden in North America by USA Today readers in 2017 & 2019, the Arboretum is known for its beautiful display gardens, award-winning tree collections, and extensive hiking and walking trails.

Young Dance Summer Classes and Camps – Registration Open

Discover movement possibilities with Young Dance this summer!

Registration is open for summer classes and camps in creative movement, Afro-modern, body percussion, ballet, hip hop, modern, and more. Summer programs are offered in a hybrid format, unless otherwise noted in registration, with both in-person and online options for participation.

Classes and camps include:
Creative Movement 1 – Ages three to five
Creative Movement 2 – Ages five to seven
Dance a Story – Creative Movement and Storytelling Adventure! – Ages four to seven
Dance Together – Ages one to three with a caregiver
Create! Dance and Photography Camp – Ages eight to fifteen
Explore the World Variety Dance Camp! – Ages eight to eighteen
Dance Pass to Explore – Allows dancers to drop in and experience a variety of classes – Ages seven and older
All Abilities Dance and Stories – Ages seven and older

For summer session information and registration visit: register.youngdance.org.
We can’t wait to dance with you!

Join Ballet Royale for Creative Story Ballet Workshops

Give your young dancer the joy of dance and performance! These workshops include a short performance at the end of the workshop, with a different Disney story each month. Take one, two, or all three!

Class sizes will be limited to maintain social distancing.

Creative Story Ballet Workshops
Ages four through nine, in person classes.
Saturdays, June 19, July 17, and/or August 14: Three separate workshops (take one, two or all three)
10:00–11:00am

AMVTP Mentorship/Coaching Program Application is Open

AMVTP’s mentoring/coaching program is a one-year mentorship open to a young professional entering their junior year of high school in Fall 2021 and graduating in the class of 2023. This program is for a self-driven, self-motivated and focused female dancer of colour looking to pursue a career in dance. The mentee will work with AMVTP Artistic Director and independent Dancer-Choreographer, Alanna Morris-Van Tassel, on post-secondary school/college-preparedness as well as life and business skills.
This mentorship includes research on scholarships ($$$); a solo dance commission (for auditions and scholarships); college essay review and editorial assistance; and letters of recommendation (as needed). The mentee will have access to Alanna’s global network of dance artists, including top educators at leading educational institutions, directors, dancers and choreographers working in a multiplicity of backgrounds—companies as well as freelance–encompassing a wide range of aesthetics, and geographies.

EURYDICE: In-Person Outdoor Production Forged in Music, Dance, Film and Fire

What, or who would you sacrifice to achieve eternal greatness? Critically acclaimed Vox Medusa with Infiammati FireCircus breathes new life into this time honored dilemma with EURYDICE – a reimagining of the Orpheus myth from his mysterious wife’s viewpoint of her harrowing journey. Follow Eurydice’s epic odyssey over land and sea, through true love, death and a fiery underworld in order to discover herself not just as a muse of Orpheus, but as her own inspiration for rebirth.

EURYDICE is a collaborative creation born of provocative contemporary dance by Vox Medusa, powerful original electronic music by Jeremy Christensen and moving vocal score by Emily Colay, potent spoken word by Desdamona Ross, breathtaking fire performance by Infiammati FireCircus, stunning video environments and dynamic light design by Tony Biele, and cinematic film debut by Jeremy Christensen and Vox Medusa.

Experience live performance once again! EURYDICE is created by a cast of 20 performers led by Grace Fredell (Eurydice), Leviticus Martin (Orpheus), Rah Diavola (Hades), Emily Colay (Persephone), and Desdamona Ross (Oracle), as they take you on an ethereal and visually stunning journey guided by muses, goddesses and creatures of the Underworld.

Social Distanced Outdoor Seating: Ample audience area for socially distanced seating is available on both flat ground for chairs and raked hillside for blanket seating.

Please Note: All audiences should bring their own blankets or camp chairs for personal seating.

Outdoor Venue/Live Performances: Three live outdoor performances at the beautiful Target Stage on Harriet Island on the banks of the Mississippi in St. Paul.

Show Dates and Times: 

Friday, July 16 at 9:00pm

Saturday, July 17 at 9:00pm

Sunday July 18 at 9:00pm

Doors open at 8:30pm each night to check-in at the ticket table to find your seating area. 

Watch Karen’s 10th Anniversary Picks: #3

Every month from March through December 2021, Threads Dance Project will release some of Artistic Director Karen L. Charles’ top dances available pay-as-able from $1, $10, $100, or even $1,000 to view Karen’s selected works!

May’s works include Memories (2011), Mother God (2018), and Emancipation? – Part 2 (2014).

Here is what Karen says about these works:

“I am always inspired by music and Sweet Honey in the Rock has been my muse on several occasions. In Memories, this was one of the first times I used their music. I created this piece to honor the loss of my father and all of the ancestors who had sustained me to be able to do what I love every day. This 2014 version actually features Grammy-nominated group Sweet Honey in the Rock with whom we were fortunate enough to perform the piece, with them singing live.

“I created Mother God in praise and honor to our Mother, Creator God.

“Emancipation? – Part 2 is one of my favorites because much of what I am trying to say is portrayed so subtly. The dancers are separated by race, dancing the question “How much progress have we made towards eradicating the vestiges of slavery that exist in society?” The selection of denim as the fabric for the costumes and so many other things  hopefully leave the viewer questioning America and what it means to be American.”

–Karen L. Charles, Artistic Director.

Each release will be 20-30 minutes in length. Once registered, you will receive a private link and password that will allow you to view these works from May 17-May 30, 2021.

Don’t miss out on these works that started it all!

Mulier Dierum by Jennifer Ilse and See Change Choir – Available Online

Available only through May 30!

Mulier Dierum (Chronicles of Woman) is an epic project that mirrors the strength of cumulative generations of women. Mulier Dierum faces our fears and fulfills desires with ferocity and vulnerability, sharing generational wisdom and wildness of women and femme power. The voices of forty choral singers and the bodies of eight dancers affirm together: Women build, honor, persevere, and flourish.

Directed and choreographed by Off-Leash Area Co-Artistic Director Jennifer Ilse, Mulier Dierum is being created in collaboration with See Change Treble Choir under the direction of Allyss Haecker, singing an original score by Linda Kachelmeier, with performances by dancers Gemma Isaacson, Christine McGinnis, Parisha Rajbhandari, Julie Warder, Heather Klopchin, Rachel Lieberman, Jennifer Mack, Esther Ouray, and Jennifer Ilse; with Off-Leash Area Co-Artistic Director Paul Herwig‘s immersive live animation projection design and sound design, edited and mixed by Reid Kruger. Performance filming and editing by Tamara Ober.

A Work in Process performance of this project is now available online through May 30 for a suggested donation of $5-25. Link to the Work in Process performance will be emailed to you after registration is completed.

The live final performance of Mulier Dierum will be at the gorgeous outdoor stage at Caponi Art Park in Eagan, June 25-26. Tickets will be available soon!