AXIS DANCE COMPANY PERFORMING WORK BY DANCERS OF ALL ABILITIES THAT HIGHLIGHTS VETERANS EXPERIENCES
Contact: Dana Munson
612.206.3630
dmunson@thecowlescenter.org
Minneapolis, Mar. 2, 2016 – Internationally renowned AXIS Dance Company is returning to the Twin Cities after a 2-year hiatus to perform at The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts in early April. The company, which calls Oakland, CA home, is an innovator in the field of physically integrated dance— dance created for performers with and without disabilities in an inclusive and supportive environment. The performance will include repertory works Divide, from choreographer Marc Brew and Dix minutes plus tard from Sonya Delwaide, along with to go again, work from choreographer Joe Goode that brings to light issues facing our nation’s veterans and addresses their resilience following severe life changes.
In conjunction with the performance, AXIS and The Cowles Center have joined with several community partners to promote and expand arts participation, health education, and personal and community well being. In the week leading up to the performance, The Cowles Center will be hosting New Tools and Unexpected Discoveries, a choreographer’s workshop, led by AXIS company members. AXIS will offer this workshop to choreographers looking to expand their work to include dancers with and without disabilities. Furthermore, they will also be performing with Kairos Alive! and YoungDance at the Intergenerational Dance Hall, hosted by Kairos Alive! at the VA Hospital. This intergenerational, intercultural event provides an opportunity for participants, no matter their age or ability, to share their creativity with their peers, families and friends. This focus on veterans will continue with the post-show discussion on Friday, April 8, led by Trista Matascastillo, Program Officer for Veterans’ Voices at the Minnesota Humanities Center. AXIS has also been invited to participate in YoungDance’s rehearsal at The Cowles Center on Saturday, April 9 to provide feedback and guidance to the young performers. A full schedule of all performances and community events is listed below.
About AXIS Dance Company
Based in Oakland, California AXIS Dance Company exists to change the face of dance and disability. AXIS is one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities. Under the Artistic Direction of Judith Smith, the Company has collaborated with leading contemporary choreographers and composers, including Bill T. Jones, Stephen Petronio, Joe Goode, Victoria Marks, Ann Carlson, David Dorfman, Alex Ketley, Marc Brew, Joanna Haigood, Sonya Delwaide, Margaret Jenkins, Meredith Monk, Fred Frith and Joan Jeanrenaud.
AXIS has toured major dance venues and festivals in more than 100 cities nationwide as well as internationally to Europe and Russia. AXIS was featured twice on FOX TV’s So You Think You Can Dance as well as on KQED’s SPARK program and KRCB’s One in 5 Stories. AXIS’ work has been honored with many Isadora Duncan Dance Awards.
Through our dance education and outreach program, Dance Access, thousands of children and adults of all ages and abilities are inspired to dance each year. Programs include classes, assemblies, residencies and our internationally attended Summer Intensive and Teacher Training. For more information visit axisdance.org.
About Kairos Alive!
The work of Kairos Alive! draws upon many forms of modern dance, movement improvisation, folk dance, music, song, theater, poetry and oral history traditions from around the world. Artistic Director Maria Genné is recognized for her ability to highlight the beauty of the human experience through movement and story, skillfully weaving together the gifts of each performer. Kairos Alive! Performance Troupe™ is the only intergenerational modern dance theater company in Minnesota, and one of only a handful in the U.S.
Kairos Alive! is a community-based arts and arts education organization that believes all are welcome in the community circle. Their intergenerational performances – which they bring to schools, nursing homes, museums, parks, community centers and formal performance spaces – deliver a vision of what community can be: all ages, all backgrounds, all abilities, dancing together.
About YoungDance
Since 1987, Young Dance has encouraged youth in our community to build body and spirit through the creative art of dance. The dance students and company collaborate with professional artists, forge meaningful community partnerships and push the boundaries of the art and practice of dance. Young Dance is an inclusive, artistic community where creativity flourishes and all are encouraged to aspire to artistic professionalism. Young Dance offers modern dance technique, improvisation, and choreographic skills for any body. Young Dance offers two programs for dance participation, Community Dance Classes and the Young Dance Company.
About Veterans’ Voices
Veterans’ Voices is a statewide program of the Minnesota Humanities Center that uses the humanities to share the experiences and recognize the contributions of Veterans. This program honors and amplifies the stories of Minnesota Veterans in their own voice through literature, theater, art, and the Veterans’ Voices Award. Nominations for the 2016 Veterans’ Voices Award runs March 10-June 3, 2016. For more information about Veterans’ Voices, visit minnesotahumanities.org/vets or stop by the Veterans’ Voices table after the performance on April 8.
About The Cowles Center
The Cowles Center for Dance & The Performing Arts is the Twin Cities’ flagship for dance in Minnesota. Centrally located in downtown Minneapolis, The Cowles Center includes the refurbished 500-seat Goodale Theater; the former Hennepin Center for the Arts, home to 20 leading dance and performing arts organizations; the state-of-the-art Target Education Studio, housing The Cowles Center’s innovative distance learning program; the Illusion Theater; the James Sewell TEK Box; and the U.S. Bank Atrium. The Cowles Center is a catalyst for the creation, presentation, education, enjoyment and celebration of dance and the performing arts in the Twin Cities.
New Tools and Unexpected Discoveries: a Choreographers’ Workshop
Wednesday, April 6 // 12:00 – 4:00pm
The Cowles Center – Target Education Studio, 2nd Flr.
Participation by invite only
Student Matinee Performance
Thursday, April 7 // 10:30 – 11:30am
The Cowles Center – Goodale Theatre
Email echambers@thecowlescenter.org for tickets
Intergenerational Dance Hall
Thursday, April 7 // 6:30 – 8:00pm
VA Hospital
Hosted by Kairos Alive! For more info email parker@kairosalive.org.
to go again Tour Performance
Friday* and Saturday, April 8 and 9 // 8:00pm
The Cowles Center – Goodale Theater
Tickets: $25 - $30 // thecowlescenter.org or 612.206.3600
*post-show discussion led by Trista Matascastillo
YoungDance Rehearsal
Saturday, April 9 // 12:00 – 2:30pm
The Cowles Center – Target Education Studio, 2nd Flr.
Participation by invite only
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