Distinctive Ballroom Dance Theater Company to Return to the Cowles Center

Beyond Ballroom Dance Company to perform Feb. 13-22

WHAT: Beyond Ballroom Dance Company (BBDC), the only ballroom dance theater company in the country, returns to The Cowles Center this February for an expanded schedule of its annual performance. Over two weekends, BBDC will dazzle audiences with its unique blend of beautiful, quirky, touching and comical dance vignettes. BBDC, founded in the Twin Cities in 2003 by a group of former competitive ballroom dancers, is known for presenting the art of ballroom dance and bringing to the theater to tell a story.

This is an exciting opportunity to see ballroom dance presented in a way unlike anywhere else, said Deanne Michael, artistic director of BBDC. Whether it's the passion of the tango, the flirtation of cha cha, or the romance of the foxtrot, each dance has its own characteristic that lends itself to telling a story.

2015 performance highlights include:

• Primera Tanda: A portrayal of how our relationships change over time, recognizing the confusion we suffer and seamless adjustments we make to move forward, inspired by the elements of Argentine tango and contemporary dance styles.
• The Nightingale: Hans Christian Andersens story of an emperor of China who becomes enthralled by the song of a plain woodland songbird. After luring the nightingale to court and caging her so that he may possess her beautiful song, he is presented with a bejeweled mechanical bird who is not what she seems.
• Red Riding Hood Suite: A favorite BBDC telling of a sly sophisticated wolf, the not so sweet Red, and her surprisingly capable Grandma.
• Special guest artists (and former Americas Got Talent contestants) Gene and Elena Bersten will perform a dazzling Latin dance medley that showcases the passion and excitement of this popular dance form.
• The company rounds out the evening with a whirlwind ensemble piece to Meatloafs rock opera Paradise by the Dashboard Light that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 15*, 2 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 22, 2:00 p.m.

*Following the Feb. 15 performance, there will be a Meet the Company: Talk Back question and answer session.

WHERE: The Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.

TICKETS: Tickets are $30-$35, fees included, and can be purchased at http://www.thecowlescenter.org/, at The Cowles Center box office or by calling 612.206.3600

About the Company

Over the past decade ballroom dance has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. More people are partnership dancing socially, weve had the opportunity to watch our favorite soap opera stars dance their hearts out on reality television, and competitive ballroom dance is now recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee. Beyond Ballroom Dance Company was created to highlight the artistry of the form by presenting it in an entirely new wayas concert dance. Founded in 2003 by dance champions who formerly competed against one another, the company blends the technical expertise of competitive ballroom dance with the artistic scope of the theater. BBDCs original works combine ballroom with other dance forms, creating a new genre that stretches the boundaries of ballroom dance.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Peterson

651.646.8233

sarah@megaphonepr.com