Contact: Dana Munson

612.206.3630

dmunson@thecowlescenter.org

Minneapolis, Aug. 17, 2015 – The Cowles Center for Dance & The Performing Arts is pleased to announce its 2015-16 performance season, featuring a diverse and exciting line-up of dance companies and vocal performers. The upcoming year is a standout one for The Cowles Center as we join James Sewell Ballet in presenting Myron Johnson’s off-kilter Nutcracker (not so) Suite. This long-time Ballet of the Dolls favorite will come to life in The Goodale Theater throughout the month of December, bringing a 60’s set, colorful characters, and a contemporary twist to the traditional holiday tale.

Another first for The Cowles Center will see the collaboration of two stellar companies in one exciting show: Black Label Movement and Contempo Physical Dance will storm The Goodale Theater stage for two not-to-be-missed weekends in June. Black Label Movement, with its wildly physical and engaging choreography, and Contempo Physical Dance, with its dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, will join artistically to create a truly unforgettable dance experience.

Next spring, AXIS Dance Company returns to the Twin Cities to inspire audiences with their powerful contemporary dance form— physically integrated dance. These internationally renowned pioneers of dance deliver innovative performances while changing the face of dance and disability.

The entire season kicks off in The Goodale Theater in October with our annual GOTTA DANCE! Gala celebration; Havana Nights!. This sultry, Cuban-inspired event features themed cocktails, dinner, live auction, and performances by two of The Cowles Center’s favorite perennial companies, James Sewell Ballet (performing an excerpt from Nutcracker (not so) Suite) and Zenon Dance Company (performing Cuban choreographer, Osnel Delgado’s,Coming Home).

The Cowles Center is excited to welcome a variety of worldly performances- Ragamala Dance brings Aparna Ramaswamy’s “rapturous and profound” (The New York Times) style of Bharatanatyam to the stage in a thrilling solo work performed with live music and Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatrereturns to enthrall audiences with the beauty and energy of Spanish dance.

Also returning for The Cowles Center’s fifth season are James Sewell Ballet and Zenon Dance Company, presenting shows in the fall and spring, along with Threads Dance Project, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Shapiro & Smith Dance, TU Dance, Saint Paul Ballet, and SHAPESHIFT, whose recent breakout performances left audiences and critics raving.

In October, The Cowles Center will once again be home to the SAGE Awards for Dance, honoring and celebrating Minnesota’s vibrant dance community.

Coming in March, The Cowles Center will see performances from two groups new to our stage- the Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota will present a twist on classical ballet with Cinderella 1944: A Love Story, and Vocal Essence will add innovative, enticing choral music to a 2015/16 list of vocal performances that also includes Minnesota Concert Opera, performing the enchanting Lakmé, and Cantus, returning next spring with their ever-popular Covers concert.

The Cowles Center continues to work with various companies to deepen audience engagement with a post-show talk back series and presents a full schedule of student matinees for Minnesota schools. In its second year, The Cowles Center’s participatory lecture and panel series continues with its focus on unraveling the histories that are part of the Twin Cities dance communities. This season we will discuss the History of Tap in the Twin Cities, performing dances outside in nature, dance journalism, and remounting important choreography from the past. These free lectures take place on Sept. 20, Jan. 10, Apr. 10, and June 5.

Tickets for the 2015/16 season are now on sale through The Cowles Center box office at 612.206.3600 and online at www.thecowlescenter.org. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $45 and discounts are available for members of The Cowles Club. For a $50 membership fee, The Cowles Club members receive the following benefits:

20% off all tickets purchased.
Two free guest passes during the 2015/16 season.
10% discount at Mason’s Restaurant.
Early ticket buying to all events at The Cowles.
$5 parking to all events at The Cowles.
$1 off adult beverages at U.S. Bank Atrium’s concession.

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; 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.