December 2023 Newsletter

Giving Season

Can you believe it is already December 2023? I can't!

As the year winds down, it is important to think about ways to give. With the holidays, it is easy to focus on gift giving, but gifts can take many forms. From something tangible, like a new dance bag or leotard (see below if you are looking for ideas!), to something intangible - like helping a dance friend learn a step, to helping a neighbor walk their dog or shovel their walk. The latter is something that can really make a difference in someone's life. Even something as small as saying 'Please' and 'Thank you', or asking someone how their day was and really listening to them can be a small gift that brightens a day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do send me an email at ann@ballareteatro.com, or you can call me on my cell: 612-267-1766. I am more than happy to talk to any one of you.

Please read on for all the Ballare news that is fit for print!

Sincerely,

Ann Williams, Director

Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center

Level IV/V Rep Class is Turning Heads

If you haven't been in the studio on Thursday evenings, you may be unaware of the fabulous experience our level IV/V dancers are having this year! They are in a class called 'Rep' where we are bringing in guest artists for them to work with, and this will culminate in their own special show May 10-12 at the Tek Box Theater in Downtown Minneapolis! Here are the two choreographers they have worked with in October, and November/December:

Elayna Waxse

Elayna Waxse is a Twin Cities-based performer, dance educator, and choreographer who hails from Overland Park, Kansas. She received her early dance training with Alecia Good-Boresow and at the Kansas City Ballet School, spending summers at the School of American Ballet in New York City. At the age of sixteen she was invited to Seattle to study in the Professional Division program at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, where she frequently performed with the company.

Waxse's professional ballet career began with Minnesota Dance Theatre and Colorado Ballet before venturing into contemporary dance with Black Label Movement, BodyCartography Project, and TU Dance. Over the course of her career she has performed a wide range of movement styles by choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Greg Dolbashian, Stephanie Batten-Bland, Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine, Loyce Houlton, Carl Flink, Francesca Harper, and Katrin Hall among many others. In the summer of 2014 she was selected to perform with Cie. Ismael Ivo e Grupo Biblioteca do Corpo at ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival as well as in São Paulo, Brazil. Waxse is a 2019 recipient of the McKnight Fellowship for Dancers.

In addition to performing, Waxse’s choreographic work has been supported by Minnesota Dance Theatre, University of Minnesota Opera Theatre, St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Artists, Threads Dance Project, Ballet Minnesota’s MN Dance Festival, The School at TU Dance Center, Zenon Dance Zone, Bryant Lake Bowl 9x22, Detroit Dance Race, Public Functionary, and Future Interstates.

Julian Jah Hines

Interdisciplinary artist Julian Hines a.k.a. the JAHNERAL has created a kaleidoscope path in his artistry for over 10 years in the Twin Cities and abroad. He has studied various genres of dance primarily focused on West African, Hip Hop and Step. Abroad, Julian has taught, danced and held position as the choreography director for JAPAN ONE LOVE TOUR 日本, a concert tour to benefit Japan’s Tsunami relief foundation. His own work has been featured in ROOTED: Hip Hop Choreographers’ Evening 2014, which soon followed a Sage Award nomination for Best Ensemble (Nostalgia). Taking a change of pace, Julian’s skills and talents took him behind the curtain as stage manager in numerous performances and productions at Intermedia Arts alongside various performance spaces. Including the world premiere of Maia Maiden Productions Sistah Solo | Being Brothas (2015) and Sage Award-winning ROOTED: Five Year Anniversary (2016). As of late he celebrated success with his production team as McKnight Foundation International Choreographers recipients of 2018. Hosting world renown South African Pantsula collective Impiloma Pantsula at Rooted 2018. He is on the Cowles Center for the Arts Teaching Artist Roster.

Family Visitation is December 4-10

Come to the studio the week of December 4-10 to sit in on class, see all your dancer's have learned, and get a peek at your dancer's recital costume (Fundamental A-Level V). For dancers in Fundamental B-V, we will hand out information about rehearsals for Isabella Saves the World and answer any questions you might have about the show.

We look forward to seeing you in the studio December 4-10! (remember, you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering studio spaces ;))

The Night Before Christmas at PiM has some Ballare Surprises

It's the holiday season! Tickets are on sale now for the Performance Institute of Minnesota (PiM) Arts High School winter dance concert, The Night Before Christmas!

Night Before Christmas is a full-length ballet of the classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas” presented by the dance department of the Performance Institute of Minnesota (PiM) Arts High School in Eden Prairie, with guest youth performers (including many from our very own Ballare Teatro!). The first act of this performance features live wintery holiday music for the whole family to enjoy. Join us as we celebrate the joy of the holiday season with festive music, dance, story-telling, elaborate scenery and beautiful costumes.

The Night Before Christmas plays December 15th and 16th at 7pm, and December 17th at 2pm at the Sabes Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis. Tickets run between $5-$12. We can't wait to see you there!

Tickets: https://tix.gobo.show/events/event/1zHsGWbMCyZVjkEBFAm6

The Holidays are Coming! Ballare Merch is a Great Gift!

You may have seen our merch displayed at the studio...but did you know there is even more selection in our online store?? And we have new things just in time for the holidays! How about a warm hat or a cozy blanket? What about a scarf or a new Ballare hoodie? You can place an order right in our online store and the items will be delivered right to your doorstep! Click the link to see everything we have!

Don't forget to check out some of the dance bags and leotards we have we have at the studio, too!

Winter Break December 19-January 1

We will close for Winter Break from Tuesday, December 19-Monday, January 1. Monday classes will happen this week (Monday, December 18) to make up for Monday, January 1.

Enjoy your time with family and friends!

Adult Classes for YOU!!

That's right! We have great adult classes for you to try. You can purchase a 10-class card for $115. But wait! Did you know that if your child is enrolled at Ballare you get a 25% discount off of your class card? It's true! Classes are offered both virtually and in person. You can also drop in for $17/class.

ATTENTION!! Adult classes are FREE the week of December 12-18! Come try class if you have been waiting - it is Ballares gift to YOU!

Beginning

Ballet Saturdays 12:30-1:45 pm with Siri

Tap Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm with Molly

Advanced Beginning

Tap Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm with Molly

Advanced Beginning/Intermediate

Jazz Tuesdays 6:45-8 pm with Shannon

Intermediate

Ballet Sundays 6-7:15 pm with Siri

Tap Sundays 5-6 pm with Brenna

Fast Intermediate

Tap Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm with Jake

Advanced

Tap Wednesdays pm7:30-8:30 pm with Jake

Mark Your Calendars!!

December

Dec 4-10 Family Visitation week

Dec 19 Winter Break begins

January

Jan 2 Classes resume

Jan 15 MLK Day – we DO have class

February

Feb 1 Summer registration opens!

Feb 1-28 Simpls Fundraiser #2

Feb 12-18 Buddy Week #2

Feb 19 Presidents Day – we DO have class

March

March 9 Isabella Saves the World Performance 2 pm and 5:30 pm @Minnehaha

Academy North Campus

March 23-28 Family Visitation

April

April 1-7 Spring Break

May

May 19 Picture day - schedule will be shared during March visitation

May 25-27 Memorial Day weekend – no class

June

June 1 Registration for 2024/25 classes open

June 3 Last day of class

June 4-6 Dress Rehearsals at Minnehaha Academy North Campus – Schedule

shared at March visitation

June 7 Creative Dance Show—Minnehaha Academy North Campus (5 pm)

June 8 End of Year Concert - Show #1 Minnehaha Academy North Campus (6:30pm)

June 9 End of Year Concerts: Shows #2,3, 4 @Noon, 3 or 6:30pm

June 24 Summer session begins. Summer session will run through August 2 and

classes will be once/week as they are during the year. Drop in classes for level

II-V. No class the week of July 1-7.

August

5-9 Audition week option 1 for level IIA/IIB/III

8 Open House - get your gear for 24/25!

12-16 Audition week option 2 for level IIA/IIB/III

14 Open House - get your gear for 24/25!

15-16 Auditions for level IV/V

September

Sept 3, 2024 First day of dance 2024/25!