Archive: Performances and Events

Serenade
Of Mice and Men
The Times Are Racing

The Joffrey Ballet returns to Northrop with a dynamic program of three works: Serenade—the first ballet George Balanchine created in America in 1934, an electric “sneaker ballet” from Tony Award winner Justin Peck, and the Northrop Centennial Commission Of Mice and Men adapted by choreographer Cathy Marston. This new take on John Steinbeck’s tender tale of friendship, perseverance, and sacrifice features an original score by 14-time Academy Award nominee, Thomas Newman (The Shawshank Redemption, Skyfall, Finding Nemo), played live by Northrop’s Ballet Orchestra.

January 20 at 7:30pm
January 21 at 7:30pm

Tickets: $55 (A $20 donation is included in your ticket price.)
January 20 at 9:30pm

Celebrate with the dancers of Joffrey Ballet after their performance! Join us for the ENCORE: Joffrey Ballet Cast Party, an insider event including drinks, live music, and delicious bites while meeting the dancers—plus remarks from The Joffrey Ballet’s MBE Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater.

These celebratory fundraising events support Northrop Centennial Commissions to create new dance works, elevate artists, and bring extraordinary presentations to our stage. You can be part of ensuring that artists’ creative works will be seen by audiences and youth in our community for years to come.

In this decade, leading up to Northrop’s 100-year anniversary in 2029, the Northrop Centennial Commissions project helps create new dance works to ensure that there will be amazing performances far into the future.

With your support, Northrop’s Centennial Commissions program provides:

• The creation and presentation of exquisite new works
• Opportunities for students, youth, and communities to experience transformative arts
• Connections through art that will be shared for generations
• Arts programming for youth arts and education programs
• A deeper understanding and insight into art, self-expression, and communication through discussions with artists, inspiring the community and young people

Grants are a substantial part of maintaining one’s self as an art business, that is unique to Minnesota. With that process arises a lot of questions: How do you fit yourself into the application process? How do you make sure you are reading the requirements right? How do you put together work samples, what different types of work samples? What makes a strong resume? How do you articulate yourself as a person, artist, and your vision in a digestible way? What grants are you eligible for and how can you understand if you are not?

Join us in conversation as we gather to unpack the world of grant writing. This discussion will be open to all. Come to share your thoughts or just listen.

Art of Business: The World of Grants
January 22, 2023
2:00-3:30pm
The Cowles Center, Tek Box, Second Floor
Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

Moderators
Jessi Fett, The Cowles Center Director of Programming and Education
Colin Edwards, Programs Coordinator and McKnight Artist Fellowship Programs Assistant for Dance and for Choreographers

Participants will include:
Dana Kassel, McKnight Artist Fellowship Programs Director for Dance and for Choreographers 
Mirella Espino, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council

Bharatanatyam choreographer and dancer Ashwini Ramaswamy (Ragamala Dance Company) deepens a choreographic methodology she began in 2019 with Let the Crows Come—named a “Best of the Year” in The Washington Post and a critic’s pick in The New York Times. This collaborative reimagining of Italo Calvino’s metaphysical novel interweaves cultural perspectives with a dynamic group of dance artists—Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy (Bharatanatyam), Berit Ahlgren (Gaga), Alanna Morris (Modern), Joseph Tran (Breaking)—and visual artist, Kevork Mourad, who creates Invisible Cities’ interactive, immersive projections in real time.

Ashwini Ramaswamy and Kevork Mourad: Invisible Cities is a Northrop Centennial Commission.

January 27 at 7:30pm
January 28 at 7:30pm

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

Saturday, February 4
2:00pm and 4:00pm
Luminary Arts Center

Drawing upon J.A. Baker’s prophetic 1967 book The Peregrine, Australia-born/Iceland-based artist Ben Frost presents a 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.

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.

Collide Theatrical Dance Company presents its first dance musical with an original score:
SKOL! plays at the Southern Theater March 23–April 9, 2023.

When a mysterious illness befalls a Viking clan, a young woman is called to fulfill her destiny as a great warrior leader in a battle for the cure with the Christian army. Inspired by the Norse gods, her journey tests the boundaries of her faith, shakes the ground of the relationships with the men dearest in her life, and causes her to question the definition of female strength.

Inspired by recent evidence of the grave of a female Viking holding the accoutrements and injury marks of a prestigious warrior, a discovery that cast a new light on gender roles in Scandinavian history. Collide explores this fascinating story with an original pop rock/rap score composed by Twin Cities musician Mike Michel (Bill Mike Band), with lyrics by vocalists Rush Benson (Ordway) and Katie Gearty (Dakota Jazz Club).

Created by Collide Artistic Director, Regina Peluso, the production stars Renee Guittar and Jarod Boltjes. For tickets visit www.collidetheatrical.org/skol or call 651-395-7903.

Featuring Venus DeMars and Gemma Isaacson

This one of a kind performance brings music and dance together to provide a captivating and enriching experience. Join us January 5-8, 2023 at Center for Performing Arts to celebrate arts and activism. Nic Lincoln’s choreography features Gemma Isaacson tethering sensuality and humanity in a dazzling and mesmerizing solo performance. Transgender glam-rock star Venus DeMars will showcase her musical talent and keep you at the edge of glory.

Nic Lincoln has always kept art and activism close to his heart, he has asked Reclaim: a LGBTQIA+ Non-Profit to participate in this production. To support the wellness of the performers, and ensure fiscal health for the company, we require the audience to wear masks at this unique venue. Disclaimer: this is not a performance to miss.

Thursday, January 5 at 8:00pm
Friday, January 6 at 8:00pm
Saturday, January 7 at 8:00pm
Sunday, January 8 at 2:00pm

Slo Dance Company presents an evening of dance and live music considering the various duets we find ourselves existing in – with sound, with space, with time, and with each other. Two dance works on the program will invite performers and audience members alike to be curious about what new relationships might be revealed in the act of slowing down. Slo Dance Company is led by Artistic Director Laura Osterhaus Rosenstone, who works with a rotating group of collaborators. The program at the Southern Theater features dance artists Noelle Awadallah, Emilia Bruno, Alexandra Eady, Emma Marlar, Leslie O’Neill, Jamie Ryan-Karels, and Sarah Steichen Stiles with music collaborator Patrick Marschke.

$20 General Admission
$14 Students and Children

January 6 and 7 at 7:30pm