Black Grace delights dance fans with strong performance, impactful events
New Zealand dance company Black Grace made its Northrop debut as part of a successful residency Nov 4-8, 2019. While in Minneapolis, the company performed public and student matinee events, and led many wonderful campus and community outreach sessions. The residency began with percussion and dance workshops for 120 students at Marcy Open School in partnership with Project Success on Nov 6. Those students joined approximately 1,850 other local middle and high school students for a captivating and energizing matinee performance on Nov 7 at Northrop.
Prior to their show the evening of Nov 7, a performance preview offered audience members an in-depth conversation about the company, the evening’s program and indigenous culture with Black Grace Founder and Artistic Director Neil Ieremia, Kirisitina Sailiata of Macalester College, Vicente Diaz and Christine DeLisle of the U's American Indian Studies program, and Northrop’s Director of Programming Kristen Brogdon.
In addition, members of Black Grace taught sections of their choreography and answered questions about their lives as professional touring dancers with a dance master class for 26 students at Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School and 14 students in the University of Minnesota dance program at the Barker Center on Nov 8. The week’s various events were popular with students and patrons alike, with many participants asking Northrop to invite Black Grace back again for more performances.
REVIEW: Looking back at a stellar weekend in dance (MinnPost.com)
Performance preview
Performance preview
Lobby musicians
Student matinee
Student matinee
Student matinee
Student matinee
Q&A-student matinee
Marcy Open School
Marcy Open School
Marcy Open School
Barker master class
Barker master class
Barker master class
Barker master class
Barker master class
