Bereishit, Kidd Pivot, Scottish Ballet & More Among Northrop's 2016-17 Dance Lineup

The 2016//17 Northrop Dance Season resumes in January with two special partnerships with Walker Art Center.

Last seen during Northrop's 2008//09 season, Batsheva Dance Company returns to the Twin Cities on January 24 to perform Decadance 2017, a retrospective piece celebrating the 25th year under the direction of Ohad Naharin. Naharin is the founding father of the inventive and energetic dance style called "Gaga"- a method that has become synonymous with the renowned company and is practiced around the world.

In conjunction with its 2017 Merce Cunningham exhibition, Northrop and Walker Art Center team up again to present CCN-Ballet de Lorraine in an evening that honors the Cunningham legacy on February 16. The evening begins with Cunningham's renowned Fabrications (which premiered 30 years ago at Northrop and for this presentation will include live music by the original composer, Brazil's Emanuel Dimas de Melo Pimenta) and Sounddance, performed at a high velocity to a thundering electronic score by David Tudor. French choreographers Cecilia Bengolea and François Chaignaud's new piece Devoted, with a score by Philip Glass, will also be performed.

From Seoul, South Korea, Bereishit Dance Company brings fresh, invigorating, and contemporary break dancing-inspired power to the stage in the company's Twin Cities debut on February 28, performing Balance and Imbalance and BOW. Balance and Imbalance will be accompanied by live music on stage, featuring a traditional pansori singer and Korean drummers.

Kidd Pivot/Electric Company Theater also debut at Northrop on March 21 and 22 with the dance/theater hybrid Betroffenheit. The stunning, unique piece takes the audience on a dramatic journey inspired by true events. Created and led as a joint venture between the two companies-helmed by choreographer Crystal Pite (whose Solo/Echo was performed last season by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago) and actor/director Jonathon Young respectively -Betroffenheit artfully and unforgettably probes the depths of trauma and despair and the uphill battle required to reclaim a life violently derailed by trauma and addiction. The performance is recommended for audiences aged 16 and up.

In another Twin Cities debut, Artistic Director Thierry Malandain and his classical ballet company Malandain Ballet Biarritz from France bring the story of Beauty and the Beast to life in its ethereal and seductive 70-minute piece, La Belle et la Bête on March 25. The performance is accompanied by a romantic score drawn from Tchaikovsky's symphonies.

On April 8 Scottish Ballet performs Matthew Bourne's Highland Fling, a gritty and tartan-filled reworking of the classic romantic ballet La Sylphide. Bourne's smash hit version has been unofficially dubbed "Trainspotting: The Ballet," and Scottish Ballet retains exclusive rights to perform it. This show will also be accompanied by a live orchestra and due to mature themes, is recommended for audiences aged 12 and up.

University of Minnesota dance students join New York-based Brian Brooks in shattering the notions of human strength and endurance as they perform Torrent with the company on April 22 as part of a special residency program. In addition to Torrent, the evening consists of four other repertory pieces including I'm Going to Explode, Division, Motor, and a preview of a new work. Support is provided by the University of Minnesota Dance Program through the Sage Cowles Land Grant Chair.

On May 17, the grand finale of Northrop's 2016//17 season is fan-favorite Eifman Ballet with Red Giselle, the story of a prima ballerina fleeing Soviet Russia to pursue her dreams only to succumb to depression, anguish, and eventual madness.

Complementing the 2016//17 Dance season, Northrop's 2016//17 Film Series and Performance Previews provide many free opportunities to dive deeper into the context of the pieces performed on stage.

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2016//17 Film Series:
All screenings are held in the Best Buy Theater

Northrop and Walker Art Center Present
Film Screening: Mr. Gaga
Tue, Jan 17, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Cage/Cunningham
Tue, Feb 7, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Jeong and Han: Korean Dance Double Feature
Tue, Feb 21, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Dark Matters
Tue, Mar 7, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast
Tue, Mar 14, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Royal Danish Ballet's La Sylphide
Tue, Mar 28, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Koyaanisqatsi
Tue, Apr 11, 6:30pm

Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Giselle
Tue, May 9, 6:30pm

2016//17 Dance Season:

Northrop and Walker Art Center Present
Batsheva Dance Company
Tue, Jan 24, 7:30pm
Decadance 2017

Northrop and Walker Art Center Present
CCN-Ballet de Lorraine
Thu, Feb 16, 7:30pm
Sounddance
Fabrications
Devoted

Northrop Presents
Bereishit Dance Company
Tue, Feb 28, 7:30pm
Balance and Imbalance
BOW
With live music on stage

Northrop Presents
Kidd Pivot/Electric Company Theatre
Tue, Mar 21 & Wed, Mar 22, 7:30pm
Betroffenheit

Northrop Presents
Malandain Ballet Biarritz
Sat, Mar 25, 8:00pm
La Belle et la Bête

Northrop Presents
Scottish Ballet
Sat, Apr 8, 8:00pm
Highland Fling
With live orchestra

Northrop Presents
Brian Brooks
Sat, Apr 22, 8:00pm
I'm Going to Explode
Division
Preview of a new work
Motor
Torrent with U of M students

Northrop Presents
Eifman Ballet
Wed, May 17, 7:30pm
Red Giselle

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Season packages: Offer deeper discounts, best seats, and subscriber perks. More information and ordering are available here or by calling 612-624-2345.

New this year! $30 Under 30: Guests aged 18-30 can purchase up to two $30 tickets to any 2016//17 Northrop Season performance 30 days prior to the show date. Each ticket comes with a drink ticket redeemable at Surdyk's Café or concessions and is good for any beverage up to $8 in value. Tickets can be purchased in person, by phone, or online, and can be picked up at Will Call the night of the show.

New! Northrop 2016//17 Discover Pack: The newest, the brightest, and the best in contemporary dancE. Northrop's new Discover Pack brings you three ground-breaking companies making their Twin Cities debuts with unique, diverse, and unforgettable performances.

The Discover Pack includes tickets to Bereishit Dance Company (Feb 28), Kidd Pivot/Electric Company Theatre (Mar 21 & 22), and Brian Brooks (Apr 22). The cost is $75 for all three shows, and is available starting January 28.

Group sales: Groups of 10+ save 15 - 25% off original ticket prices. To purchase tickets as a group, email nropgrps@umn.edu or call Bridget Reddan at 612-625-1578.

Discounted Rush Tickets: $10 for U of M Students; $20 U of M Faculty/Staff, students/educators from other schools. Rush tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or in-person at the Northrop box offices beginning at 10:00 am the morning of the performance. Receive two discounted tickets per qualifying person with appropriate I.D. Rush tickets are based on availability.

Northrop is an epicenter of discovery and transformation that connects the University of Minnesota and communities beyond by celebrating innovation in the arts, performance, and academics.

Artists and programs subject to change.