Contact:

Abdo Sayegh: 612-384-1202, abdo.sayegh@tudance.org

Leif Anderson: 612-670-8001, leif.anderson@tudance.org

Kathleen Spehar: 651-690-6921, klspehar@stkate.edu

TU closes its ninth season with three world premieres

May 31, June1 and 2, 2013

Awe-inspiringly athletic and simply amazing to behold PioneerPress

May 6, 2013-Join TU Dance at The O'Shaughnessy as the company closes out its ninth performance season with a spring dance concert of world premiere works by Uri Sands and Camille A. Brown. Sands presents two premieres-a triptych of duets titled No Middle Name, and Escapades- an adventurous full-company work exploring themes of vice and escape of the everyday. Solo work makes up New York choreographer Camille A. Browns new piece, Make Amends, which was specially commissioned for this concert by The O'Shaughnessy. Also on the program is Dwight Rhoden's lyrical B Sessions, set to the music of Beethoven.

Under the artistic direction of Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, TU Dance has garnered audience and critical acclaim for its diverse repertory, versatile artists, and for performances that are engaging, dynamic and generous. Modern dance, classical ballet, African based and urban vernacular movements are combined in a blend of intelligence and beauty, rigorous structure and inventive choreography, and integrity of performance so singularly wrought that the work rips your expectations from their moorings (StarTribune).

Online Press Kit:
Includes high-resolution photos for download www.tudance.org/press

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What:

TU Dances Spring Concert at The OShaughnessy

Where:

The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105

When:

Friday, May 31^stat 8:00 p.m.;Saturday, June 1^stat 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 2^ndat 2:00 p.m.

Tickets:

Adults: $18, $25, $31; Seniors 65+/Students: $16, $23, $29 (Tickets include a $2 restoration fee)

The OShaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 651.690.6700 / www.theoshaughnessy.com

About TU Dance
Founded in 2004 by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, TU Dance has become a Twin Cities favorite, featuring Uris signature choreography which combines modern dance, classical ballet, African based and urban vernacular movements in inventive and unpredictable ways. TU Dance has received significant critical acclaim, including Artists of the Year by the Star Tribune and multiple Best Performance citations by the Sage Awards. Most recently, City Pages named Uri 2011 Choreographer of the Year. Last fall, the company opened TU Dance Center, a rehearsal and dance training facility in St. Paul, under the leadership of Toni Pierce-Sands, named Sage Awards 2011 Outstanding Dance Educator. Known for her soloist performances in Ailey signature pieces such as Revelations, Tonis career also includes seasons with progressive European companies such as Tanz Forum in Germany and Company Rick Odums in Paris. Uri, meanwhile, developed a considerable reputation as both dancer and choreographer with companies like Complexions and North Carolina Dance Theatre. Along with the many honors for TU Dance, Toni and Uri were each awarded McKnight Artist Fellowships for dance and choreography, respectively, and several Sage Awards. For more information visit www.tudance.org.

Company Members: Toni Pierce-Sands, Uri Sands, BeritAhlgren, Hassan Ingraham, Christopher LaPlante, Lucas Melsha, Alanna Morris, David Rue, Duncan Schultz , Katelyn Skelley, Yusha Marie Sorzano and ElaynaWaxse.

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