Archive: Performances and Events

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.

Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28
7:30pm

Sunday, January 29 at 10:00am
The Black Hart of Saint Paul
Presented as part of The Great Northern

Get together, get moving, and build some midwinter heat with this all-abilities movement class, offering a fun and inclusive approach to dancing. Designed for people of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and identities, Dance Church is a communal space for people who want to move their bodies.

During a 50ish-minute class, participants will be guided through a series of movement cues accompanied by a curated playlist of multi-genre pop music. The format is open but guided throughout. No previous training is required, but open-mindedness is a prerequisite. Get lost dancing together—it’s the dance party you wish you had last night.

Dance Church® has been bringing the joy and release of dance to people since 2010. Classes are hosted regularly in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles, and have popped up in cities worldwide. Dance Church Go is an online streaming version of our in-person classes. Go was created to dance together from wherever with on-demand and live-streamed classes available anytime. Whether in-person or on the internet, Dance Church is committed to spreading joy through movement while building community physically and virtually around the world.

World premiere of the first section of forthcoming opera, commissioned by The Great Northern
Performed by MPLS (imPulse)
With dancer Amanda Sachs
Libretto by Robert MacFarlane

Saturday, February 4 at 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.

View Kayla Schiltgen’s new screendance, object permanence, on Vimeo now through December 19. For those who caught object permanence at Choreographers’ Evening, this screening is of the entire work; 15 minutes in length.

object permanence is an act of curiosity pursuing my enduring wonder about visibility or lack thereof in a time of perpetual display. Object permanence is a concept studied in developmental psychology, it refers to the understanding that people, places, and things continue to exist even when they can no longer be sensed. I stumbled across this idea during my research, it captured my attention, and has since been revealing what it wants discovered through the creative journey of building this screendance.

Choreography, dance, cinematography, and editing: Kayla Schiltgen
Original composition and music: Dean Sibinski
Production assistance: Eric Elefson

Ballet Minnesota’s 34th annual The Classic Nutcracker returns to the O’Shaughnessy! Come celebrate this annual family holiday tradition this December 16-18!

This year’s production features a cast of more than 100 including two highly lauded guest dancers from the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. Soloist Zhong-Jing Fang and corp member Jose Sebastian of ABT will dance the pas de deux in the signature roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier.

The performances take place at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University, December 16-18. Ticket prices range from $19 to $45 with discounts for seniors, students, active military, and groups. To purchase tickets, click here or call The O’Shaughnessy box office at 651-690-6700.

In addition, a livestream performance at 10:00am on Thursday, December 15 will be offered to groups in the wider community in order to provide the ballet experience to those who might not otherwise be able to attend a performance. For information on the livestream, email balletmngrouptickets@gmail.com.

Enjoy the return of this classic holiday favorite!

December 16 at 7:00pm
December 17 at 2:00pm
December 18 at 2:00pm

Tickets now on sale for Hopkins Dance Company’s Clara in the City: A Nutcracker Tale!

Make the most of your holiday season. Come see this lovely show sure to be a delight for people of all ages!

December 16 at 7:00pm
December 17 at 12:00pm and 6:00pm

At the Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins.
Price: $15-20. Get tickets here.

Get the best seat in the house by securing your Who Brought the Humbug? tickets today!

Ricci Milan and the artists of Rhythm Street Movement are back through December 18 with the fun, funky, hilarious show that pairs live music with amazing tap dance for a unique mix of comedy, drama, and mystery that’s sure to be a memorable evening for the whole family. This year Rhythm Street is bringing new music, new choreography, and new dancers to stage to help celebrate the holiday season!

Regular, in-person single tickets are $45. Student/senior tickets are $35.

Audiences are invited to boost their holiday cheer by getting close to the action at a front-row cabaret-style VIP table. VIP tickets will enjoy the performance with a complimentary sparkling drink, macarons from Nikkollette’s Macarons, and a more immersive experience.

Pay-As-You-Are tickets are available for our Saturday, December 17 matinee performance at 2:00pm.
Click here to learn more about our Pay-As-You-Are tickets.

Zenon Dance School – Zone Fall Showcase

New choreographic works by Kendall Kramer and Ruby Josephine Smith, plus guests!

Zenon Dance School’s Zone Showcase will feature Zenon instructors Kendall Kramer and Ruby Josephine Smith in two new works performed by the Zone dancers! Plus, special guest showings by the Beginning/Intermediate Jazz class with Jennifer Glaws and Beginning Jazz with Allison Rubin-Forester.

Zone is an intensive adult dance program for all levels, ages, and dance backgrounds, who wish to deepen their dance journey and experiences. The program offers two tracks and new movers are welcomed through a brief and relaxed audition.

Performance Group – for movers with a strong intermediate/advanced level of dance technique who are searching for opportunities to perform with local choreographers.

Technique Group – for movers to enhance creative and technical skills and explore different genres of dance.

Zone is a platform for emerging and established choreographers to create work and explore material, while celebrating Twin Cities movers.

Friday, December 16 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 17 at 7:30pm
In-person, masks required.
Tickets: Free, Pay-What-You-Wish. Registration required.

On-demand available December 21-January 4, registration required.

Join the Young Dance community to celebrate 35 years of transforming lives through movement!

Saturday, December 17
10:30am–12:30pm in the Young Dance Lobby
12:15–1:15pm in the Teal Studio

Come gather in the lobby and enjoy cookies, beverages, and friends in celebration of our milestone 35th anniversary! The 2022 Spring Performances will be on view, then join us from 12:15–1:15pm for a showing of the All Abilities Dancing piece Organic Knitting, Modern 4/5, the Choreography class, and the Performing Company’s works-in-progress created this fall with Blake Nellis and Aneka McMullen.

Young Dance is also collecting warm winter gear for donation to a local youth mutual aid project. If your family has used gear in excellent condition that you no longer need, please consider bringing and donating the following:

• snow pants
• boots
• warm jackets
• warm mittens/gloves
• warm socks
• warm sweaters

We look forward to celebrating with you on December 17!