June Newsletter: Hot Fun in the Summertime!

As you know, summer in Minnesota is the opposite of hibernation; we come out of our houses, into the sunshine, and get active. So it goes without saying (though it looks like we’re gonna say it anyway) that dance is a natural part of this pattern! Whether it be taking class, rehearsing or checking out a great local artist’s new work, there sure are options, and this summer is no exception. Below are some ideas for making jazz and rhythm-driven dance a part of your hot fun this summer, starting with our favorite (though we are of course biased!);

Rhythmically Speaking presents . . .

An evening of local forces in jazz and rhythm-driven dance exploring improvisation

Featured Choreographers:
Deborah Elias // Karla Grotting // Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner // Carrie Lande // Erinn Liebhard // Jennifer Mack // Whitney McClusky // B-Boy J-Sun and Dancin’ Dave // Joanne Spencer

Now in its fourth year, the Rhythmically Speaking production has become an anticipated annual staple of the Twin Cities dance scene, bringing the community a taste of the area’s best jazz and rhythm-driven choreographers. Rhythmically Speaking 2012 employs a key element of both music and dance – improvisation – as a catalyst to bring together the individual creative works in the show. The production will feature voice-over vignettes of choreographers discussing how they utilize improvisation within their creation processes, giving viewers a peak into how they work. From Hip Hop to 60’s-influenced jazz to Afro-funk, the 2012 choreographers each bring their own unique style-standpoint on how improvisation can inform the creation of dance.

When: August 16-18, 2012 @ 8pm
Where: The Southern Theater
Tickets: On sale soon! $18 in advance, $20 at the door
More Information/ Tickets: www.rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org

Mark Your Calendar!!
Erinn + Heather

LEARN

A Rhythmically Speaking Social Dance Meet-Up:
Funk with Leah Nelson and Mr. Mambo’s Combo at Ordway Summer Dance

Photo from Ordway.org

Come on out to the Ordway’s Summer Dance for our next social dance meet-up! We host these meet-ups to give you dancers a chance to get out of the studio and into the groove! The Thursday, July 12th Ordway Summer Dance event features Leah Nelson teaching funk dance and Dr. Mambo’s Combo busting out some great tunes for us to practice what we learned. Hope you can join us!

When: Thursday, July 12th, 5:30
Where: The Ordway
Cost: Free of charge! Meet-up organized by Rhythmically Speaking, event organized by the Ordway!
More Information: http://www.ordway.org/summerdance/ orwww.rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org/forums

We hope you can come out and groove with us! Please RSVP to the Facebook event. If you cannot make it on the 12th, check out the rest of the Ordway Summer Dance events, happening every Thursday this summer!

Advanced Jazz at Zenon Dance

Photo by Aleutian Photography

Taught by Erinn Liebhard
When: Fridays, 9:30-11:00am
Where: Zenon Dance
Cost: $13 drop in class rate
More Information: www.erinnliebhard.com

Erinn Liebhard’s advanced class focuses on jazz as a rhythm-driven dance form, emphasizing musicality as a way to access technique, with special attention to weight-shift, groundedness, physicality, and most of all, GROOVE! This session will consist of a grab-bag of styles jazz influenced styles, such as Latin and percussive, with every couple of classes focusing on a different theme.

Jazz Dance for Musical Theatre

Image courtesy of Ballare Teatro

Taught by Linda Talcott Lee
Broadway Veteran and Emmy Award winning choreographer

When: Saturdays, 9:00am – 10:30am
Where: Ballare Teatro, 4259 Minnehaha Avenue S, Minneapolis 55406
Cost: $15 drop in rate, $110 class card
More Information: www.ballareteatro.com

Jazz Week Intensive with Karis Sloss and Karla Grotting

Come get your jazz on with several local forces in our jazz dance scene, in a workshop focusing on technique, style and history with master classes in several different forms of jazz-related dance.

Morning classes taught by: Karis Sloss, Karla Grotting, Erinn Liebhard, Diane Aldis and Zoe Sealy. The jazz Week Intensive now offers two tracks; a Pre-professional/Professional Track and a Dance Educator/ Beginning Adult Track. Morning Classes: Karis Sloss, Karla Grotting, Erinn Liebhard, Diane Aldis and Zoe Sealy. Master Classes: African with Whitney McClusky, Jazz for Musical Theater with Kerry Casserly, Jazz music for Jazz Dancers with Bruce Wintervold, Yoga with Allison Doughty Marquesen, Hip Hop with Amy Sackett

When: August 6-10, 11am-4pm (morning and master classes can be taken individually)
Where: Zenon Dance School
Cost: $225 for entire workshop, $175 for morning classes only, $100 for master classes only, $25 master class drop-in
More Information/ Registration: www.zenondance.org

CREATE

Call for Choreographic Submissions: Choreographers’ Evening

The Walker Art Center is pleased to present the 40th Annual Choreographers’ Evening, this year curated by Patrick Scully and Aparna Ramaswamy. Choreographer’s Evening will take place on November 24, 2012 at 7pm and 9:30pm. Auditions;

Have Something Awesome Coming Up? Submit It to Us!

See the events listed in this newsletter? They could be YOUR events. The Rhythmically Speaking eNewsletter is a great way to get the word out about your jazz and rhythm-driven dance event. With 350+ subscribers who love this kind of work just as much as we do, there couldn’t be a better way to target your message! Here’s how you do it; Let us know what you have coming up, be it a show, workshop, call for artists, etc. Then, we’ll get it on our Community Calendar and consider it for inclusion in our next eNewsletter. Please email submissions toinfo@rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org.

We look forward to seeing what comes to the ole’ inbox!
Erinn + Heather

VIEW

Fela!

Fela! is a new musical directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones, in which audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decedent and rebellious world of Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), FELA! explores Kuti’s controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. This version of FELA! is direct from Broadway, so don’t miss it!

When: June 12-17, various times
Where: The Ordway
Cost: $27-88
More Information: www.ordway.org
The Cowles Center’s 4th Annual Groundbreaker Battle

The Cowles Center is hosting the finest B-Boys and B-Girls in Minneapolis as crews compete for the title of Minneapolis’ Best Dance Crew and a chance to battle at B-Boy J-Sun’s show Hip Hop! at the Cowles in January 2013. Come watch these electric crews light up the competition! The event includes battles, open dance floor (cyphering), performances, workshops and graffiti installations.

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Got ideas for how we can improv this here newsletter? We are all ears! Send us your thoughts, ideas (and jokes if you want!) to the email below.

Groove on,
Heather + Erinn
Rhythmically Speaking
info@rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org
www.rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org

The mission of Rhythmically Speaking is to revitalize jazz and rhythm-based dance forms in the Twin Cities, supporting its practitioners, educating its audiences, and celebrating its rich history while nurturing innovation through performance. http://www.rhythmicallyspeakingdance.org.