Archive: Performances and Events

See the world premiere of the first section of the forthcoming opera, commissioned by The Great Northern and performed by MPLS (imPulse) with dancer Amanda Sachs and libretto by Robert MacFarlane. In partnership with Minnesota Opera’s Luminary Arts Center and American Composers Forum.

Drawing upon J.A. Baker’s prophetic 1967 book The Peregrine, Australia-born/Iceland-based artist Ben Frost presents the new choral performance and installation Cold Air Rises. This new work in development is a collaboration with acclaimed British nature writer Robert MacFarlane. Local ensemble MPLS (imPulse) and dancer Amanda Sachs will perform this first movement of what will eventually form Frost’s next opera, commissioned by The Great Northern at Minnesota Opera’s newly renovated Luminary Arts Center. Join us for a sound experience like none other, a beautiful story of obsession and transformation.

Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 and 4:00pm

Rhythmically Speaking dance company is back at Amsterdam Bar and Hall with the premiere of RadioBody, a live show driven by and reflecting the toil and triumph embedded in the music of pioneering alt-electronic band Radiohead.

Featuring live dance, screen dance, and projection designs set to original jazz renditions of Radiohead tunes played live by a quartet of excellent local jazz musicians, RadioBody is sure to excite dance, jazz and Radiohead fans alike.

Friday, February 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm – Pay As You Are
Saturday, February 11 at 7:30pm

Hatch Dance presents PARADISE, a new dance theater piece premiering February 16-19, 2023 at The Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

Creatively led by Jon Ferguson (The Nature Crown, Super Monkey, Please Don’t Blow Up Mr. Boban) and Helen Hatch (Hatch Dance, Au, LDV), PARADISE combines contemporary dance, improvisation, physical theater, clown, and music to spark moments of joy, relief, and honesty through a journey beyond the shroud of the everyday. PARADISE marks Jon Ferguson’s first work since returning to the Twin Cities, and first collaborative venture between Ferguson and Hatch, who are joined by performers Artemis Brown, Juliana Johnson, Kendall Kramer, Javan Mngrezzo, Ayaka Moriyama, and Genevieve Waterbury. Original music conceived by Seth Conover and Joseph Strachan will be played live, with sets and design by multi-disciplinary artist Ashley Mary.

February 16 at 7:30pm
February 17 at 7:30pm*
February 18 at 7:30pm
February 19 at 2:00pm

*Post-performance Q&A following the February 17 show.
Price: $15-25

Featuring choreography by Dance faculty Jess Pretty and dance students Vy Nguyen and Hina Sasaki.

Of her work, Jess Pretty writes, “Who we are is a direct reflection of who we are in relationship to. Much of this work looks at methods of relations as a pathway to understanding the self. This work is archival and intimate, relying on the personal story as the grounds for research. What I hope to display is in many ways a living archive, and in most ways a celebration of bodies moving together.” Always and Forever is the first chapter of a larger work that Jess is making titled Call and Response, which will premiere in June 2024 at the Chocolate Factory Theater in New York City.

Directed by Joanie Smith, with Assistant Director Laura Selle Virtucio
Performed by the University of Minnesota Dance students

Tickets: $8-18

February 24 at 7:30pm
February 25 at 3:00pm
February 25 at 7:30pm
February 26 at 2:00pm

Join dancers from Ballet Hispánico at the University of Minnesota Recreation and Wellness Center to learn popular Latin social dances! Participants of any age and skill level can enjoy taking a turn around the dance floor in this one-hour workshop. Wear shoes that you can move in safely and clothes that make you feel like dancing! Registration is first-come, first-served for the general public as well as participants from all of Nothrop’s Ballet Hispánico residency activities.

February 24 at 6:30pm

Resurgence features dances by Christopher Watson, Becky Heist, Anne-Marie Wittenberg, Sarah LaRose-Holland, Jennifer Mack, Genevieve Waterbury and guest choreographers Thern Anderson and Erin Thompson.

The dances address themes of the intricacies of relationships, resilience in the face of challenge, and reconnecting in a world changed by the pandemic. Musical accompaniment includes selections from J.S. Bach, Handel’s Water Music, contemporary composers George Hurd and Kerry Muzzey, local music by singer/songwriter Matt Marka of Ada Jane, and music icons Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin and George Michael.

Tickets: $15 plus $5 venue fee.

Critically-acclaimed Doña Perón is an explosive portrait of Eva “Evita” Perón, one of the most recognizable and controversial women in Argentinian history. The illegitimate daughter of a wealthy landowner, Evita concealed this shameful past as she climbed the ranks from dancehall performer to Argentina’s First Lady. A voice for the people, or a deceitful actress? Latina choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa explores these diverging legacies while reclaiming the narrative of this iconic Latina figure in a “smashingly theatrical” (Chicago Sun-Times) evening-length work performed with exquisite live music.

February 25 at 7:30pm

Concerto Dance presents Looking Back/Moving Forward at the Southern Theater, March 10-12.

Looking Back/Moving Forward features a mixed repertoire of modern and jazz dance works from Artistic Director Jolene Konkel, including audience favorite Ode to Opus Jazz, along with two premieres choreographed by visiting guest artists Steve Rooks (formerly of the Martha Graham Company, NYC) and Cynthia Gutierrez Garner (Artistic Director of Company Movimiento, Eugene, OR).

Join us for an evening of vibrant concert dance that reflects on the past and looks forward with hopeful expectation – moving forward together!

Featuring Concerto Dance Company Members: Rachel Bonkoungou, Lydia Kantor, Sara Karimi, Helena Magalhães, Shannon Mulcahy, Betsy G. Nelson, Sarah Pieper, and Maddy Woodman. Along with Guest Artists: Rush Benson, Malia Craft, Brenda Nepsund and Doug Hooker; and Apprentices: Hunter Batterson and Kaitlyn Craven.

Friday, March 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 11 at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 12 at 3:00pm

Purchase tickets: $25 plus fees.

EMBRACE with the Ahn Trio

James Sewell Ballet reunites with the extraordinary Ahn Trio in a program featuring a reimagining of 2018’s Connections. Like the best embrace, there’s known comfort and new spark combined. The three sisters of the Ahn Trio – Lucia on piano, Angella on violin, and Maria on cello – were born in Seoul, Korea, and educated at the Juilliard School in New York City. These growing-up experiences in two cultures, along with their extensive international touring, infuse their celebration of 21st-century classical music with a particular flare and style.

Friday, March 17 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 18 at 2:00pm

This performance runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with one intermission.
Price: $5-35