Best Live Dance Performances Coming To Minnesota
Summer in Minnesota brings a variety of every type of dance from ballet to country and a taste of Dancing With The Stars. Check your calendar and plan to get out. There are events going on every week of the summer; some of them are even free.
Performing Arts Season Reveal Party
Walker Art Center
Garden Terrace Room and Terraces
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 375-7600
www.walkerart.org
Date: July 14, 2016 at 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Get the inside scoop at this outside event as Senior Curator of Performing Arts Philip Bither raises the curtain on Walker's 2016–2017 performing arts season. Bither is a visionary leader of one of the country's premier contemporary performing arts programs. Be there by 6:00 p.m. when Blither will share his compelling account of corralling the best of international contemporary performing arts to the Walker this season. Guitarist John King and DJ Paper Sleeves will add to the festive occasion, and happy hour is from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Be sure to stay for a chance to win free admission to this season's events and other special offers.
Ballet In The Parks
Continental Ballet Company
Bloomington Civic Plaza
1800 W. Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 563-8562
www.continentalballet.com.
Dates: Thurs. July 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., Normandale Lake Bandshell
Sun. July 31, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., Centennial Lakes Amphitheater
Fri. August 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., Como Lake Pavilion
Price: Free
Ballet forms the foundation of all dance, enduring through the ages as a unique art showcasing the human body through movement. Continental Ballet Company invites all to attend a Ballet in the Parks performance as it shares the art with communities throughout Minnesota. The outdoor performances will include excerpts from some of the great classical ballets, such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and the grand Pas de Quatre. Regular production of high quality classical ballet runs from September through March. The company also provides excellent training for ballet students of all ages.
Maks And Val Live On Tour
State Theatre
805 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 982-2787
www.hennepintheatretrust.org
Date: Thur., July 28, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Price: $49.50 to $1,000.00
Two masters of steamy Latin dance and choreography are leaving the TV studio this summer to showcase their skills live and personal on stage. The Chmerkovskiy brothers have always dreamed of telling their story in a show that's part autobiographical and filled with passion for the art of Latin Ballroom dancing ranging from samba to paso doble to hip hop. Both are winners on Dancing With The Stars: Maks in season 18 and Val in season 20. Now they get do it their way, engaging their fans in-person and showing their skills on live stage with a cast of fellow professionals. Now you can take advantage of various VIP ticket packages offering such things as the opportunity to meet Maks & Val backstage, get a professional photo with them and participate in a pre-show VIP Party.
Irish Fair Of Minnesota
Harriet Island
836 N. Prior Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 645-0221
www.irishfair.com
Dates: Fri, Aug 12 through Sun, Aug 14, 2016.
Price: Free
Do not miss the nation's largest free Irish fair right here in Minnesota. Go to the Performance Dance Tent to watch a wide variety of Irish dance schools showcase their skills from step dancers to traditional Irish group dancers. Go to the Crossroads Social Dance Tent, where all weekend long, you can learn the basic steps and movements of ceili (kay-lee) and set dancing. Then come to the big dance each evening where Twin Cities' finest traditional Irish musicians will kick up a lively tune for you to show your skills. Many other family-friendly treats include Irish bands, "Color Me Irish" 5K Run, a literary corner, cultural displays, a speakers' tent, a workshop tent, a traditional Irish tea room, Celtic Marketplace, food and drink.
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
