The Southern Theater Presents Tandem 1/8, 2011

Tandem, a series of dance presentations shared by two choreographers chosen for their unique experimentations and inventive approach to connecting with audiences, will highlight the work of Chicago-based Rachel Damon and Minneapolis-based April Sellers in its inaugural program, January 6-8, 2011, at the Southern Theater.

Tandem is the brainchild of Laurie Van Wieren, the Southern Theater's dance curator, who wanted to provide a forum where fresh and passionate independent artists could grow in their work. "I want audiences to see into the artistic process of new voices," said Van Wieren. "Damon and Sellers both work with movement and text in distinctive ways, and their work has a fierceness and specific vision that feels fresh and exciting."

Both funny and thought-provoking, April Sellers crafts unconventional ensemble dance pieces that use text, song and quotidian props that comment upon the instabilities of relationships and the limits of social acceptability. "The pieces I'll be presenting at the Southern are centered on rejection and love lost," said Sellers. "I am going over the top with these concepts to illuminate the humor in catharsis."

Instructions to a Fancy Pack will features local performers Susan Scalf, Kenna Cottman (formerly Kenna Sarge), O'Calla Joslyn and drummer/composer Greg Schutte making his dance debut. Acceptable Doses will feature Sellers with storyteller Kay Kirscht,

The award winning Saint Paul native Rachel Damon of Synapse Arts will present two works in her singular style of live research; a laboratory approach that invites the viewer into the mind of the performer.

Her current year-long project, Factor Ricochet is a dance-theater work subtly grappling with the myriad dualities of gender embodiment. This deep collaboration uses movement and voice to explore how body states are experienced, projected, and perceived.

Set to an original sound score by Coppice, the quartet fourbound studies connectivity in real time where performers palpably struggle and succeed in their ensemble tasks, bringing humanness to the fore.

Performances: January 6-8, 2011
Thu. at 7:30pm
Fri. & Sat. at 8pm
Tickets: $20, $18

Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725
1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454

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