Help ARENA continue to be a force in this dance community, providing strong instruction to new and veteran moving bodies, a voice for local dance artists to share their work, and an experience-creator for those who want to be moved, inspired and motivated by live performance.
–Let’s take a look back our 2023/2024 season that made for an amazing 28th year–
Premiere of Erased Steps at the Saint Paul Union Depot – August 24-25, 2023
Erased Steps was selected as one of the Most Memorable Dance Performances of 2023 by Star Tribune critic Sheila Regan. It was a truly unique experience, featuring live percussion by local composer Zack Baltich and 15 of the top dance talents in town.
Mathew Janczewski and Taja Will’s collaboration of MERGE in March at The Cowles – March 23-24, 2024
The program featured Mathew Janczewski’s choreographic voice paired with Taja Will, creating a group work titled Here, Dear Life. Additionally, Janczewski took to the stage for the first time in six years to perform a heartfelt duet alongside ARENA DANCES’ great company member, Dustin Haug.
The 8th Annual CANDY BOX Dance Festival – April 22-27, 2024
Rounding out our arts programming in 2024 was the 8th Annual CANDY BOX Dance Festival at the historic Southern Theater in May. CANDY BOX showcased the innovative work of a diverse group of choreographers, offering a sweet variety for audiences and artists alike, with over 500 attendees. Performances featured work by Paula Mann/TimeTrack Productions, Tristan Koepke + Benny Olk, and jess pretty; with happy hour showings by Shannon Hartle Dolan, Kayla Schiltgen, Katlyn Hawkins + Alicia Steeves, Amez Dance, Duniya Drum and Dance, and Penelope Freeh.
DanceON
DanceON is an in-school dance residency program run by ARENA DANCES for teaching and learning in dance, working from Minnesota National Dance Educators standards. DanceON aims to show how learning dance isn’t just a physical activity but also one that engages the brain, our emotions, and creates opportunities for students to learn and relate to one another. Structured through various residency options each semester, DanceON helps students build their technical and expressive skills, along with understanding how to view, interpret & discuss dance. By exploring, creating, replicating & observing movement, students will build their technical & expressive skills, and develop their artistry & personal voice in dance. Through DanceON, students have the opportunity to practice dance making, develop dance literacy, make connections within their academic work, work with communal & cultural resources, explore future career possibilities, and find passion for lifelong learning.
This past year, ARENA wrapped up activities with 3 schools each in St. Paul and Minneapolis, employing 6 teaching artists and reaching over 100 students from 3rd grade through high school seniors. We are especially proud of our Dance Pedagogy offerings at North H.S., training our future teaching artists. This initiative was greatly supported by dance specialist Kara Noble and Twin Cities’ own Rush Benson!
Floorwork Round Table Discussions + Potluck
Formed in response to the community’s interest in gathering since 2017, and especially now following the closing of the Goodale Theater, ARENA’s Artistic Director has stepped up to assist in the widely attended Dance Town Hall. Additionally, the director is supporting the Minneapolis Arts and Culture department in shaping conversations and advocacy for the dance community. Keep your eyes peeled for a new advocacy group forming organically, as Mathew believes that, as a dance community, we are stronger together and need to share and lift one another up.
Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance History
This unique podcast series aims to collect and share the stories of Twin Cities artists who have made an impact on the legacy of this big dance town. Host Mathew Janczewski sits down with a different artist each week to learn about their past, present, and future. Studio Stories airs weekly at noon on Thursdays – hear the full archive and listen to new episodes each week on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about Studio Stories.
As you can see, ARENA is continuing to make an effort to increase accessibility and engagement with dance, but there are many costs to funding a season. Here is what your contribution will support:
Artist salaries
Rehearsal costs
Costumes
Composer & Music Rights
Lighting & Set Design
On-going Operational Support
Outreach Programs
ARENA DANCES is a non-profit organization with tax-exempt, 501(c)3 status and as such, all contributions are tax-deductible.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
Based on Calendar Year. Updated Quarterly – Last Updated August 23, 2023
SUSTAINER ($1000+):
Mark Addicks & Tom Hoch, Jake & Hope Armour, Leigh Dillard, Susan Leaf, Heather & Kent Pilakowski, Milo Pinkerton & Virgil Taus, Rick Schaefer
LEADER ($500-999):
Kathleen & Paul Campbell, Leah Drury, Paola Sanchez, Holly Schramm, RD Zimmerman
PROMOTER ($250-499):
Bill & Connie Cameron, Beth Fisher and Caroline Glawe, Jan Gonder, Kerry Keen & Nina Ebbighausen, Emily Maltz – Dale Schatzlein and Emily Maltz Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation, Don Ofstedal & Jerry Lee, Ron Lotz
SUPPORTER ($100-249):
Gail Asher, Alex & Natalia Berglund, Daniel Capetz, David & Erin Cragg, Neal Cuthbert & Louise Robinson, Catherine & Jason Malmberg Dannenbring, Mary Hansmeyer, Roger & Claryce Haug, Rebecca Heist, Wendy Holmes, Jerome & Judith Ingber, Ben Johnson, Heather Klopchin, Betsy Maloney Leaf, Steve & Jenni Norlin Weaver, Frank Rhame & Beverly Anne Christie, Sandy Simmons & Kevin Kunz, Julia Timm, Erin Thompson & Byron Richards, Tyler & Amy Thomson, Dennis Yelkin
CORPORATE + GRANT SPONSORS
ARENA DANCES would like to thank our corporate sponsors and the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.