Good chilly morning to ya!
We hope this version of the Rhythmically Speaking newsletter finds you keeping cozy in your legwarmers (or whatever your choice of winter heat-keeper may be)! Though it’s freezing outside, the Twin Cities jazz and rhythm-based dance and music community is still on fire! While giving in to cabin fever may seem like a good idea at first, your body and soul will thank you if you get them out to experience what our culturally rich cities have to offer this winter. Whether it’s generating exciting new choreography, taking class or catching a dance or music show, there is something out there calling your name. Here are some options to get your started, hand-picked by your friends at Rhythmically Speaking;
CREATE
http://mnjazzdance.wordpress.com/create/
Are you a creator, performer or teacher of jazz and rhythm-based dance? Visit the link above for our listing of creation resources available in the Twin Cities. Anything missing? Have ideas about information we could include? We are here to serve you, baby, so let us know by filling out the contact form at the bottom of the page! Featured opportunities;
1.) Rhythmically Speaking will be Seeking Choreographers for August Concert
Attention, Creators of Jazz and Rhythm-based Dance,
After two inspiring and successful years of inviting some of the Twin Cities’ best jazz and rhythm- based choreographers to share their work with the community, Rhythmically Speaking is thrilled to announce that choreographic submissions for our 3rd annual choreographers showcase will be open to the public. The scoop;
- This year’s show is running August 25-27, 2011 at the Southern Theater
- A call for submissions will go out mid-to-late March (with a mid-to-late April deadline). For details, stay tuned to;
The Southern Dance Newsletter (to join, visit this link)
Rhythmically Speaking’s newsletter and blog (www.mnjazzdance.wordpress.com)
Rhythmically Speaking’s Facebook page (here)
So start pulling together those inspired new piece ideas, and keep your eye out for more information! Questions? We’d love to hear from you at rhythmicallyspeakingdance@gmail.com.
2.) Passing the Beat: A Community Forum on Teaching Jazz and Rhythm-based Dance
When: April 16th from 12:00-2:00 (following Karla Grotting’s advanced jazz class)
Where: BALLAREteatro (4259 Minnehaha Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55406)
Cost: Free of charge! Organized and Sponsored by Rhythmically Speaking
Are you new to teaching jazz and rhythm-based dance forms and are looking for a place to start? Are you old hat and in search of fresh tools and ideas? Whether you fit into either of these categories or anything in the spectrum between, Rhythmically Speaking encourages you to come check out Passing the Beat: A Community Forum on Teaching Jazz and Rhythm-based Dance.
Created out of a shared desire for a place where fellow teachers could trade ideas, Passing the Beat will be focused on jazz and rhythm-based warm-up exercises and music selection, and will be moderated by illustrious rhythm-queen Karla Grotting. Here’s how it’s going down; come on out to BALLAREteatro the morning of Saturday, April 16th for Karla’s Advanced Jazz Class (10:00-11:30, $15 at the door, less with a class card!). Then, stick around for the forum, which will be held in-studio to allow for demonstration. Come prepared to share your favorite exercises and music, and be ready to leave with new options!
RSVP’s are encouraged, as we are going to try and provide a snack for all attendees between class and the forum. Click here to RSVP on our Facebook event. Questions? Thoughts? Ideas? They are truly welcomed. Toss an email to Erinn and Heather at rhythmicallyspeakingdance@gmail.com.
Actively sharing and just absorbing both are encouraged, so when the 16th hits, put on your jazz pants, load up your teacher brain, and come out on to BALLAREteatro!!
LEARN
http://mnjazzdance.wordpress.com/learn/
Check out the newly-updated ‘Learn’ section of the Rhythmically Speaking blog site (link above); we keep an extensive listing of jazz and rhythm-driven dance classes happening around the Twin Cities metro area. Notice something missing? Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and let us know! Featured classes:
1.) Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm | West African | Whitney McClusky & Duniya Drum and Dance | Patrick’s Cabaret, Mpls
This Tuesday (February 8th) – Mandjou Mara Workshop: Mandjou began his professional drumming career when drum and dance group Oiseau Blanc, recruited him when he was just five years old as a djembe player. It was with this group that he honed his djembe skills and learned other aspects of Guinean music, dance, song, and staging. The djembe soloist of Oiseau Blanc recongnized Mandjou’s talent and introduced him to the prestigious Les Percussions de Guinee who took him on as one of their players. Momordiba Camara of the world renownd Les Ballets Africains was the next to recruit Mandjou as a djembe soloist and assistant director for his group Tayeli of Kaporo in 2000. Mandjou created his performance ensemble Limanya de la Guinee in 2007. Visit www.dunyiadrumanddance.org for more information!
2.) Saturdays, 10:00-11:30am | Adv. Jazz | Karla Grotting | BALLAREteatro, Mpls
This weekly jazz-fest is lead by Karla Grotting, Flying Foot Forum performer and all around rhythm-queen. Karla’s classes seamlessly weave bits of jazz history into lush, rhythm-driven, satisfying jazz exercises and combinations. Come on out to continue developing your movement musicality while sweating it out to some fantastic music. www.ballareteatro.com.
VIEW
http://mnjazzdance.wordpress.com/view/
Ever-buzzing with all sorts of artistic activity, the Twin Cities always has plenty of offerings to satiate the appetites of jazz lovers. For our extensive listing of your favorite companies and venues turning out innovative and exciting jazz and rhythm-driven dance (and music, for the matter), visit the link above. In fact, keep it bookmarked as a handy list to turn to when looking for some artistic entertainment! Anyone left off? Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page and let us know! Featured events;
1.) Mad Munchkin Productions and the Eclectic Edge Ensemble Present:
Snow Bound! A Journey from Autumn to Spring
WHEN: Feb 17-20 at 8:00pm, 19 and 20 at 3:00pm
WHERE: The Ritz Theatre, 345 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413
TICKETS: $15 in advance, $17 at the door, (612) 436-1129, or visit www.ritzdolls.com
FFI: www.eclecticedgeensemble.com
Snow Bound! teams Mad Munchkin Productions and the Eclectic Edge Ensemble in a magical infusion of puppetry and jazz dance against a backdrop of original music. Journey through the human experience of winter, from it’s playful wonder to depressing darkness and everything in between. Join hibernating animals and night stars as puppeteers and dancers explore the natural wintery world. Snow Bound! Is made possible in part by funding from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.
2.) The Ausland Brothers of Buckets and Tap Shoes
WHEN: Friday, Feb 18 at 8:00 PM
WHERE: Mayslacks (1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413)
FFI: www.bucketsandtapshoes.com
Founded in 2004 by brothers Rick and Andy Ausland, Minneapolis-based “Buckets and Tap Shoes” is an explosive, high-energy rhythmic journey. These multi-talented performers have astounded world-wide audiences creating music on everything from paint buckets, wooden poles and tap shoes to electric guitars, drums, bass, keys and trumpet. Andy Ausland, Rick Ausland, Matt Stevens, Lightnin’ Joe Peterson, CJ Vanderpoll, and Aaron Wiener.
Feedback? Ideas? Comments? General thoughts? Notes? Queries? Just want to say hi? Contact us at rhythmicallyspeakingdance@gmail.com, friend us on Facebook here, or fill out a contact form at www.mnjazzdance.wordpress.com. We hope that you enjoyed this installment of the Rhythmically Speaking E-Newsletter. Have a great February and March, getting out and enjoy your jazz-loving cities; we’ll hit your inbox again in April!
Boogie on, rhythm-lovers!
Erinn + Heather
