TU Dance Makes Ordway Debut 5/6

TU Dance, the critically acclaimed local dance company led by Alvin Ailey veterans Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, performs for the first time at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. as the final event in the 2010-2011 Target Dance Series. The dance company's repertoire will feature the much-anticipated world premiere "With Love," commissioned by the Ordway through the 2010 Joyce Awards and supported by the Princess Grace Foundation.

"I consider myself a real advocate and fan of TU Dance and it's a tremendous pleasure to welcome the company to the Ordway stage," says Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway president and CEO. "This journey from Joyce Award to World Premiere has touched our community greatly through residencies, organizational collaboration and creative commissioning. I'm grateful for this experience and encourage you to attend what I'm confident will be an unparalleled performance by TU Dance."

In the six years since its sold-out opening run in Minneapolis, TU Dance has garnered accolades such as Star Tribune's "Artist of the Year" and the inaugural Princess Grace Award in choreography. The company has also been honored as one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch." Uri Sands' luscious choreography incorporates dialects from ballet, West African, traditional, modern and streetwise American dance, rendered with simultaneous distinctiveness and cohesion by the company's sumptuous, razor-sharp execution. Its reputation for breathtaking physicality and spectacular partnering makes for performances not to be missed.

Artistic Directors and also life partners, Toni and Uri continue to draw energy and inspiration from intersecting professional careers, having met and danced together at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Known for her solo performances in Ailey signature pieces such as "Revelations" and "Cry," Toni's career also includes seasons with progressive European companies such as Tanz Forum in Germany and Company Rick Odums in Paris. Uri, meanwhile, developed a considerable reputation as both dancer and choreographer working with Complexions and North Carolina Dance Theatre, among others. His other recent commissions include collaborations with VocalEssence, Penumbra Theatre and New York's Complexions Contemporary Ballet, as well as new work for North Carolina Dance Theatre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

For its first company concert on the Ordway stage, TU Dance will perform four favorites: "For You," "High Heel Blues," "Workforce," and "Clear as Tear Water" - Ron Brown's McKnight-commissioned solo for Toni Pierce-Sands. The program concludes with the newest work, "With Love." For this commissioned world premiere, Uri drew inspiration from the depictions of urban life and dance in the paintings of African American artist Ernie Barnes (1938-2009). Uri brings the Barnes work from canvas to stage, set to the music of celebrated American soul legend Donny Hathaway (1945-1979). "With Love" will feature TU Dance company members. Joining them on stage will be dancers from Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and the University of Minnesota dance major program.

As a part of the commissioned residency, TU Dance will offer opportunities to showcase the process of creating a dance work through site-specific Ordway Extra programs and open rehearsals. Community members are invited to the following events:

Open Rehearsal
April 13, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
TU Dance Center, 2121 University Ave. West, Saint Paul
NO FURTHER SPACES AVAILABLE

TU Dance Ordway Extra
April 17, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Saint Paul Central Library, Magazine Room
Toni and Uri will lead a discussion about creating "With Love" and the process of opening up their creative practice to the community.
FREE, NO RESERVATION REQUIRED

Open Rehearsal
April 27, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Ordway Drake Room, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul
Please enter through the Stage Door on 5th Street
FREE, LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Pre-Show Ordway Extra
May 5, 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Ordway Marzitelli Foyer
FREE TO TICKET HOLDERS, NO RESERVATION REQUIRED

For events needing reservations for attendance, please RSVP to Amy Miller at amiller@ordway.org or 651.282.3017.

TU Dance has been working closely with K-12 education programs in our community as a part of the Ordway commission. Residency work includes students from FAIR Crystal, Southwest High School, Battle Creek Elementary and the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Students will also engage with TU Dance in four Performing Arts Classroom shows throughout the week of May 2, reaching more than 4,200 students.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance, and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve over 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer to the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

Performance and Ticket Information
TU Dance
Friday, May 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Ordway's Music Theater

Tickets start at $21 including fees.
Box Office: 651.224.4222
Groups: 651.282.3111
ordway.org

 

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