FIRST EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS OF THE SEASON LEAVE LASTING IMPACT IN THE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY

Katha Dance Theatre, Sundari Aur Nag

More than 5,200 patrons engaged in performances, activities and workshops surrounding the Katha Dance Theatre’s performances October 6-8, which also featured members of the Ethnic Dance Theatre.   Sundari Aur Nag gave audiences a glimpse of the rich culture of India through the retelling of a folktale reminiscent of the well-known Beauty and the Beast.

More than 4,600 students and educators attended Sundari Aur Nag matinees through the Performing Arts Classroom Series.  Students at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts enhanced their experience through school-wide participation in Indian Music Master workshops with the musicians from the performance, and in Kathak Dance Connections workshops with artistic director, Rita Mustaphi and managing director, Pooja Khanna.

More than fifty people attended the pre-performance Ordway Extra. Wendy Lehr, actor and director, and Dipankar Mukherjee, artistic director of Pangea World Theater, led a panel discussion that gave background on Northern Indian Kathak dance, story telling, and the artistic context of Eastern theatre and performance.

Katha Dance Theater celebrated the success of their newest production with a post show party featuring food from Khyber Pass and a multicultural music jam, where the Katha musicians were joined by two local artists – Tibetan musician Tenzin Ngawang and Ghanaian dancer and drummer Fatawu Sayibu.

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Ronald K. Brown Evidence

Evidence, a dance company led by artistic director Ronald K. Brown, brought more than 3,600 patrons to Ordway Center to participate in performances, pre and post receptions, activities and workshops.  The company blended African, modern, ballet, and hip-hop dance styles to explore the human experience in an unforgettable performance.

More than 3,000 students and educators attended the Ronald K. Brown Evidence Performing Arts Classrooms.  The school performances included excerpts from Grace, One Shot: First Glance, Come Ye, and IFE/My Heart.  More than seventy students and the entire faculty from the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists saw the performance and engaged in surrounding activities including master classes, Q and A’s with the company, and a pre-performance reception.

Community members were invited to attend three public master classes with the Ronald K. Brown, Evidence dance company.  All were enthusiastically received. The master classes focused on contemporary dance and technique and faith-based text and movement, and opened opportunities for dialogue with dance students, pre-professionals, and professional dancers and choreographers.

The Ordway Extra was also enthusiastically received by those attending the evening’s public performance. Robin Hickman, CEO and Executive Producer of Soultouch Productions, led a discussion with Gayle Anderson of the Spokesman Recorder and Karla Nweje, local dancer and choreographer. Their discussion highlighted the African American experience through contemporary and faith-based praise dance, along with the influence of media and images in today’s world.

Following the main stage performance, Robin Hickman hosted a Q & A on stage with Ronald K. Brown.   During the conversation Brown described his drive to create his own company from a desire to forge an aesthetic that celebrates the stories and movements of everyday people. Afterwards, the audience and community members were invited to join Brown and his company to celebrate the performance with food, music, dancing, and conversation.

Ah Nagasaki: Ashes into Light at The O’Shaughnessy

More than 1,200 students and educators attended the performance of Ah Nagasaki: Ashes into Light on October 13 performed by the Minnesota Chorale, two visiting Japanese choirs, and Mu Daiko at The O'Shaughnessy.  The music of Ah Nagasaki: Ashes into Light was composed by Robert Kyr and text was written by Mr. Kyr and Kazuaki Tanahashi, a Japanese writer, teacher, and calligrapher. Commissioned by the Nagasaki Peace museum, the piece honors those who suffered in the bombings of Nagasaki at the End of World War II.

NEW! planet ORDWAY® TARGET® SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR EDUCATORS

Educators are invited to take advantage of a great new discount available for advance purchase to all planet Ordway® Target® performances.  The $20, inclusive of all fees, educator’s ticket must be purchased in advance using the promotion code: TEACH.  The tickets can be purchased by phone at 651.224.4222 or online at ordway.org.

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planet ORDWAY® TARGET® PRESENTS PONCHO SANCHEZ LATIN JAZZ BAND

Join Ordway Center and celebrate Poncho Sanchez, leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today. 

When: Nov. 12 at 8:00pm

Where: Ordway Center Main hall

Arrive early and catch the Ordway Extra! for Poncho Sanches Latin Jazz Band at 7pm.   The Ordway Extra will feature percussionists and educators Wallace Hill and Chico Perez, who will give a short lecture/demo on Latin rhythms and Poncho Sanchez’s influence on the genre of Latin Jazz. Ordway Extras are free and open to all ticket holders.

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LIAISON EVENT DATE CHANGE

The 2008 Education at Ordway Center Liaison event date has been changed to April 24, 2009.  Please mark your calendars!  The event recognizes the hard work and dedication of school liaisons through a social gathering, performance, and short program including the presentation of the Fourth Annual Education Awards.  Through the Annual Education awards, Ordway Center honors individuals and institutions that have been dedicated to furthering the mission of Education at Ordway Center.  

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CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS: 2009 FESTIVAL VISUAL ART OPPORTUNITIES

2009 Young Artists’ ARTcontest poster theme is Flights of Fancy! Young artists are invited to submit their work for this unique contest.  One artist from each grade level, preK-12, will be showcased on the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival Poster.  Winners are also honored with modest cash prizes and a reception in downtown Saint Paul.  Most entries are included in the 2009 ARTwalk. 

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2009 Artwalk, an Opportunity to Share Student Creations

More businesses are agreeing to showcase your students’ artworks during this year’s Festival ARTwalk!  More windows mean we will need more art!  Let us know if you are interested in finding ways for your students to get involved with the 2009 ARTwalk, which hangs in downtown Saint Paul throughout the month of May. 

SPECIAL STUDENT GROUP PRICING FOR THE COLOR PURPLE AT ORDWAY CENTER MARCH 17-29, 2009

Don’t miss out on a student group special of The Color Purple.  Student groups can receive a   $25.00 + fees ticket in Scale 4 seating with a minimum group order of 10 tickets.  The offer is valid for performances Thursday, March 26 at 2pm, Sunday, March 22 at 7:30pm, and all Tues, Wed, & Thurs evenings at 8pm.

For more information contact Jan Johnson in Group Sales 651-282-3111 or groups@ordway.org

ORDWAY CENTER WELCOMES AMY MILLER, COMMUNITY EVENTS COORDINATOR

Amy Miller, Community Events Coordinator, is a graduate of Hamline University where she received a B.A. in Global Studies and Music Performance. She spent the past two years working with refugee-serving nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities and has experience working with local and global artists through event coordination and promotion. She has been a key planning member of Twin Cities World Refugee Day, serving as co-chair and entertainment coordinator.