GARTH FAGAN DANCE MASTER CLASSES: February 6, 2008

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is hosting the GARTH FAGAN DANCE Company for a week of residency activities culminating with a performance February 8, 2008. There are two master class opportunities for Twin Cities dancers and choreographers.
 
Introduction to the Garth Fagan Technique
This class will introduce you to Mr. Fagan’s signature style of movement and technique. The Fagan Technique, Fagan’s singular dance language, draws on many sources: the weight of modern dance, the torso-centered movement and energy of Afro-Caribbean dance, the speed and precision of ballet, and the rule-breaking experimentation of the post-moderns. This class is best suited for dance students. Capacity limited to 30.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008; 6-7:30PM
Ordway Center US Bank Room
 
Garth Fagan Technique and Form
For professional dancers and choreographers
Much like the Introduction to the Garth Fagan Technique class, this session will introduce Mr. Fagan’s signature technique and explore it on a deeper level. Mr. Fagan’s dancers have been praised for being “virtuosi, fearless, able to sustain long adagio balances, to change direction in mid-air, to vary the dynamic of a turn, and to stop on a dime.” This distinctive movement quality comes from years of training in the Fagan Technique. This class is best suited for professional dancers and choreographers. Capacity limited to 25.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008; 6-7:30PM
Ordway Center Drake Room
 
Master Classes free to ticket holders to the Garth Fagan Dance performance, $10 for non-ticket holders. Spaces fill quickly so call 651-282-3135 to reserve your spot today.

NOMINATE FOR THE 2008 EDUCATION AWARDS

Please be sure to nominate for the third annual Ordway Center Educations Awards. The awards were created to honor contributions that have furthered the mission of Education at Ordway Center.  Individuals, organizations, schools, and partnership teams from any artistic, educational, or cultural field are eligible, as are volunteers and philanthropists, professional administrators and teachers. Award categories include philanthropy, vision, commitment, and service.  Nominations are due by February 15, 2008.

More information & nomination forms

WELLSTONE STORYTELLING RESIDENCY

Students in the three kindergarten classes at Paul and Sheila Wellstone Elementary School in Saint Paul had their first ‘Arts Explore’ workshop after attending the !Sofrito! performance in October.  Sylvia Pontaza, a teaching artist with Teatro del Pueblo, led an interactive storytelling workshop with the students based on Amanda Dade's New Years Parade, a children’s book by Harriet Ziefert.  Students learned the story through a call and response technique, and then had the opportunity to transform into one of the characters through costume and movement.  In groups, the students acted out the story to their classmates. 

Are you looking for a way to fund projects and experiences in your classroom?  Donorschoose.org is a unique non-profit organization that helps public school teachers fund projects their schools would otherwise not have the resources to fund.  Teachers can submit a proposal to Donorschoose.org for materials or an experience they feel will help their students learn. 

The website posts the proposals and accompanying budgets on donorschoose.org.  Citizen philanthropists are able to search the site and choose the projects they wish to fund.  With the completion of a project, teachers are asked to compile photos, student thank you letters, and an impact letter to pass on to the donors who helped fund their project.

Learn more

CALLING YOUNG ARTISTS: 2008 ARTCONTEST

Children’s ARTcontest - MY MINNESOTA: a creative state of mind
Parents and teachers, submit your young people’s art for the 2008 ARTcontest, MY MINNESOTA: a creative state of mind.  The theme is in celebration of the Minnesota sesquicentennial, 150 years of statehood.  When creating the art, young artists are encouraged to explore their own lives.  What does Minnesota mean to them, what is their favorite place to visit, what are their favorite things to do in Minnesota?  One entry per grade level will be featured on the 2008 Festival Poster.

Submission deadline: February 25, 2008. The ARTcontest is a program of the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival.

Learn more & download entry forms

NEWS AND NOTES OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Ordway Center would like to welcome the new senior interns from the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists: Liz Johnson, Makinna Oestreich, Katie LaCapitaine, Brittany Juntunen, and Dana Diederich.  The goal of the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists-Ordway Center for Performing Arts internship program is to provide an opportunity to work with various departments of Ordway Center and engage in meaningful and open communication with staff.  Students will be exposed to event planning, human resources, fundraising, marketing, public relations, production, project management, and more.  Perpich Center peer coaches will also work with Ordway Center staff to integrate critical response, descriptive review and other artful tools into the interns' experience.  These Conservatory interns will be with us through the end of the 2008 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival.

ORDWAY CENTER EXTRA: STUDENT GROUP DISCOUNT FOR THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Ordway Center is offering a student group special for The Drowsy Chaperone, March 18-30, 2008! Get ready for big dance numbers, great 1920’s costumes, and lots of laughs.  The show runs one hour and 45 minutes with no intermission, and it is family friendly, so bring the kids!

Call Jan Johnson for groups of ten or more and special student pricing of $25 plus fees: 651.282.3057

Learn more