Performances and Events

‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays.

A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters, and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. The show was conceived and is directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater.

Have you ever wondered how set designs are created? How do they enhance performance? Join Analog Dance Works in residency at AFMSP as they develop the first draft of the set design for their project The Awe Factor, or in French, L’Effet Waouh, inspired by single use plastic waste juxtaposing the emotion of awe. The set design will be revealed at the ouverture de residence, residency opening, on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00pm.

During this event, you can meet the dancers, see photos, and enjoy some light snacks and drinks! Founding Analog Director Brenna Mosser will also be present to answer any questions about the residency, as well as to give a short speech on Analog Dance Works and their mission as a dance company.

The post-residency performance will present the choreographic work created during Analog’s time inside Alliance Française’s walls Friday, December 15 at 6:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the company.

Prints presented in the exhibit will be for sale that will benefit both Alliance Française and Analog Dance Works’ 11 dance artists and administration staff.

This event is free with a suggested donation of $10. Registration is encouraged but not required.

A fusion of classical poetry, shadow puppetry, live Nordic folk music, and contemporary dance, set within a dark winter forest.
The production explores colonialism and cultural erasure from the perspective of the lesser pantheon of Norse deities, the Vanir.

Doors at 7:00pm
Show at 7:30pm
Runtime: 70 minutes

Week 1
Thursday, November 30
Friday, December 1
Saturday, December 2

Week 2
Thursday, December 7
Friday, December 8
Saturday, December 9 – ASL interpretation
Sunday, December 10 – Emergency/Cancellation Date

Pre-Sale Tickets
Tickets available online for $25-$35, general admission (including fees).

Rush Tickets
30 walk-up pay-what-you-can tickets will be released nightly at 6:30pm, first come first serve!

Cast and Crew
Written, Directed, and Produced by Nat Allister
Bragi – Willie Johnson
Nerthus – Rhiannon Fiskradatz
Composed by Kat Parent
Music performed by Kat Parent, Mili Judge-Becker, Josh Conroy, and Nat Allister
Shadow Puppetry by Becca Mellstrom and Alex Young
Puppeteering by Becca Mellstrom, Alex Young and Sofia Padilla
Choreography by Gabby Abram
Ensemble: Odessa Rain, Kae McMahon, Allison Durham, Fenja Frances, Ben Siglin, Rachel Lieberman, Eliana Durnbaugh, and
Danielle Ricci Cheng
Costuming by Kathy Kohl
Set Design by Rachel Eilts
Paper headpieces made by hand at the MN Book Arts Center by Lux Fabré

Saturday, December 2 at 2:00pm – Pay As You Are
Saturday, December 2 at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 3 at 2:00pm

As the weather chills, we chill into playful original choreography and movement improvisations set to the groovy jazz tunes of Vince Guaraldi’s playful and nostalgic Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, played live by local jazz musicians! CHILL pairs a cast of seven dynamic local dancers and an excellent live jazz quartet – The Jazz Outlaws – to bring the entire soundtrack of the 1965 animated TV special Charlie Brown Christmas to life, and we’re making some exciting tweaks to keep the show fresh for those who have already seen it. And artist Brad Erickson will be at the 2:00pm Saturday show to offer free Peanuts-style caricatures!

CHILL offers a unique holiday outing option great for yuletide revelry-seekers of all backgrounds and ages: kids 12 and under are just $10.00, and lap-sitters are free. The show has an earlier start time and runs about an hour, making it an ideal option for families. Come experience some quirky holiday joy, and enjoy a pint and a meal while you are at it: unlike many other holiday productions, we do not perform this show every year, so don’t miss your chance to join us! See you at the show!

The next Floorwork is at the ARENA.
Saturday, December 2
12:00-2:00pm
RSVP is appreciated – please do so by Friday, December 1.

This December Floorwork will focus on grand visions and collective goal-setting. What is your big dream? What are you presently working on? Conversation will be assisted by Nieya Amezquita and Cheng Xiong.

Conversation will be held over a communal meal – bring your own dish to share in our potluck! ARENA DANCES will supply beverages, plates, napkins, and utensils.

10th Anniversary Performance – An Evening to Support Collide Theatrical

Saturday, December 2
6:00–10:00pm
At Mixed Blood Theatre

Help us celebrate the past 10 years and toast to the next decade, while we raise crucial funds to support the future of the company. The evening will feature a performance highlighting favorite dance excerpts from our past shows.

Tickets can be purchased at online, or by calling 651-395-7903, ext. 701.

Schedule
6:00–7:30pm: Silent Auction, Drinks, and Appetizers
7:30–9:00pm: Performance

Cocktail or semi-formal attire requested.

Minnesota State University, Mankato is dedicating their Fall Dance Concert to Dr. Julie Kerr-Berry on Saturday, December 2 at 2:00pm.

Julie retired in July 2023 and we’re excited to celebrate her legacy of scholarship, artistry and leadership. Dr. Kerr-Berry taught at Minnesota State Mankato from 1988-2023 and her influence and impact, both within the state and beyond in the field of dance, is incredible.

Please come and celebrate with Julie!

“Everything seems absolutely deliberate but also mysterious… a vivid dream, unexplained but not at all random.”—New York Times Critic’s Pick

Explore ritual and dance through science fiction and ancient myth in acclaimed choreographer Beth Gill’s darkly beautiful new work. Emerging as representations of our collective unconscious, five dancers—including Gill herself—transform a contemporary dance performance into an enigmatic and vital space of connection and loss with a sense of magic and awe. Nail Biter embodies her signature choreographic craft, creating what Dance Magazine calls a “sense of control that doesn’t stifle but rather beckons our curiosity.”

Friday, December 8 at 8:00pm
Saturday, December 9 at 8:00pm
Tickets start at $15. No additional fees.
Walker commission.

Join us for the TU Dance Winter Showcase at The Southern, featuring CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program and students from Level 4 and 5 of the Pre-Professional Program at The School at TU Dance Center. CULTIVATE will share self-choreographed solos as well as premiere works by local dancer/choreographer and TU Dance alum Anna Pinault and New York-based dancer/choreographer Christopher Ralph. The level 4 and 5 students will perform works by TU Dance Center teaching artist Davente Gilreath and CULTIVATE trainee Gabrielle Abram. Let’s celebrate these inspiring dancers and their artistry and dedication!

December 8 and 9, 2023 at 7:30pm
December 10, 2023 at 2:00pm
30-minute post-show talkbacks will directly follow the Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9 performances.

Purchase tickets here!

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s enchanting twist on a holiday classic returns to the stage! Nutcracker in Wonderland weaves together the magic of two timeless stories, E.T.A. Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Jump down the rabbit hole for the most curious adventure. The beloved Tchaikovsky Nutcracker score will take on a new meaning as Clara and Alice join forces to battle the Rat Queen, whirl through the Land of Snowflakes hand-in-hand, and encounter Wonderland residents like the Mad Hatter, mischievous Cheshire Cat, perpetually tardy White Rabbit, and spiteful Queen of Hearts all while discovering themselves.

Choreographed by Zoé Emilie Henrot
Performed by The Company of Ballet Co.Laboratory and the students of The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory

December 8-10, 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:00pm
Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:00pm

Tickets
Adults: $40
Seniors: $35
Children/Students: $30
Groups of ten or more tickets to the same performance: $35/each

CREO Arts & Dance Conservatory presents The Nativity at the Hopkins High School Main Auditorium, December 9-10, 2023. The show will be performed by The CREO DanceVERVE: Twin Cities.

Choreographed by director Christa Anderson Hill, Elyse DeVries, Brenda Nepsund, and Julia Moser-Hardy, the epic story of our Savior’s birth is told through the drama of dance and narration, featuring ballet and contemporary dance styles. As a familiar narrative unfolds, this production will juxtapose the story of the Lamb of God with the perspective of a little lamb learning the truth of God’s promise. Though the character of the lamb will appeal to young children; his insights about Christ’s genealogy will bring new depth to the story most think they know.

The mission of the CREO DanceVERVE is to teach young dancers to worship the Lord through service, prayer, commitment, and faith. The company is comprised of performers grades 6-12 who perform a wide variety of dance styles. Through participating in the CREO DanceVERVE, young people have an opportunity to grow in faith and express what they have learned through art and dance.

The Nativity runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with an intermission, and is appropriate for the whole family. Welcome in the Christmas season of joy with this not-to-be-missed performance!

Saturday, December 9 at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm

Tickets $18-28, available at creodance.com. Discount pricing available for corporate or non-profit groups of 10 or more. Email events@creodance.com for more info.

A holiday favorite fit for the whole family!

Welcome to the ultimate holiday party where the guests are singers, musicians, tap dancers, and beatboxers! Join this vibrant and talented cast in an interactive, inspirational, all-age, fun, funky, feel-good celebration of the holiday season!

The party takes a turn when two of the cast members become beatboxing investigators on the hunt to find who brought the humbug? Join this vibrant and talented cast in an inspirational, all-age, all-inclusive, family-friendly, fun, funky, feel-good celebration of the holiday season!

Tickets
Regular, in-person single tickets are $49 while student/senior tickets are $39.
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.

Performances
Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7:30pm
Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 2:00pm
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 1:00pm

Ballet Minnesota celebrates the holiday season with their 35th outstanding production of The Classic Nutcracker at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University, December 15-17.

Special guest soloists Nicole Fedorov and Kaitaro Kodama will dance the pas de deux in the signature roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier.

Ticket prices range from $5 to $45, with discounts for seniors and groups.
Purchase tickets online or call 651-690-6700.

A free livestream of the performance will be broadcast at 10:30am on Friday, December 15.
Register for the livestream .

About Ballet Minnesota
Husband and wife team Andrew and Cheryl Rist, are at the helm of Classical Ballet Academy of MN, founded in 1987, and Ballet Minnesota, which they co-founded in 1990. Andrew Rist serves as Ballet Minnesota’s Artistic Director and Cheryl Rist serves as Ballet Minnesota’s Regisseur, costume designer and director of Classical Ballet Academy, the company’s official school for dancers ages 4 to 18. To view Ballet Minnesota’s performance history and press ready photos, visit www.balletminnesota.org.

Join us at Alliance Française for the post-residency dance performance of the production L’Effet Waouh by Analog Dance Works!

This performance will be the presentation of the choreographic work created during Analog’s time inside Alliance Française’s walls. The performance will take place on Friday, December 15 at 6:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the company.

About the Production
From November 30 to December 15, Analog Dance Works, a contemporary dance company founded in 2019 by Brenna Mosser in Minneapolis, will inhabit Alliance Française’s art gallery and Grande Salle to test set design for their upcoming production, The Awe Factor / L’Effet Waouh.

L’Effet Waouh is inspired by the science of the emotion of awe and how it intertwines with the physical effects we are feeling from climate change. This set design will be constructed from plastic waste in the form of a thunderhead. Accompanying the set design will be a photo exhibit with Analog’s collaborating photographer, Bill Cameron.

Prints presented in the exhibit will be for sale that will benefit both Alliance Française and Analog Dance Works’ 11 dance artists and administration staff. This event is free with a $10 suggested donation. Registration is encouraged but not necessary.

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

Saturday, December 16 at 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Sunday, December 17 at 2:00pm and 6:00pm

Additionally, join us for Visions of Sugarplum to meet the characters in person and dance with them!
Recommended for ages 3-7 years.

Saturday, December 16 at 11:30am

Join the Twin Cities Flamenco community for a Flamenco holiday fiesta while enjoying great food and drinks at the Icehouse MPLS. Twin Cities Flamenco Collective will be joined by local Flamenco artists for an unforgettable year-end celebration full of music and dance.

Sunday, December 17 at 5:00pm

A collaboration of live music and dance, artists inspiring one another, exploring movement through sound and sound through movement.

Kid Villain (Alex Proctor) pairs with three passionate dancers from HoneyWorks led by Berit Ahlgren, and breathtaking musician Aby Wolf pairs with the commanding force of tap dancer Kaleena Miller.

Collaborations that each premiered earlier in 2023 now come together to be redefined and reinvestigated in a shared space.

Friday, December 22
7:00pm
Tickets $30-$40