SMU to host Japanese celebration on Oct. 20

Winona will welcome a delegation from Misato (Winona’s sister city in Japan) this weekend.

Several cultural events will be hosted on the Saint Mary’s campus.

A “Japanese Culture Fest” — free and open to the public — will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Toner Student Center. The event, which will run from 2 to 3 p.m., will include booth displays and demonstrations featuring Shodo, the art of drawing unique characters; Ikebana, art formed with flowers; Kimono, a traditional Japanese dress; and Sado, a tea ceremony.
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These events will be followed by Japanese dancers and Taiko drummers from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Saturday in Page Theatre. The dancers will perform an original form of “Nihon Buyo,” which features the use of bamboo props and a beating rhythm. “Senrai,” a group of young Japanese musicians, will share their talents using the traditional instruments of Taiko drums.

A banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hiawatha Room, located on SMU’s Saint Teresa campus. Admission is $18 per person, and tickets are available at City Hall, 457-8234. The event features the Gate City Jazz Band from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., as well as the International Dancers of Winona and Native American hoop dancer Jackie Bird.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, the Culture Fest will be repeated at WSU’s Kryzsko Commons. Exhibits run 1 to 2 p.m., with performances from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

SMU hosts acrobatic dance with 'MOMIX Remix' Oct. 10

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Page Series will host the unpredictable acrobatic dance program “MOMIX Remix” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10.

The Saint Mary’s Page Series will host the unpredictable acrobatic dance program “MOMIX Remix” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10.

“MOMIX” is celebrated for its ability to conjure up a world of surrealistic images using props, light, shadow, humor and the human body.
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“MOMIX Remix” is compiled of jaw-dropping routines from the company’s most famous works in the past 25 years. Moses Pendleton, the group’s choreographer and director, will showcase a dance experience like no other at Page Theatre.

Pendleton’s dancers may transform into sidewinders and gila monsters, float weightlessly through extraterrestrial terrains, strap into snow skis, or fly through the air like baseballs.

Tickets are $22, $16 for seniors, $14 for students and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, during regular office hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU, WSU to host Misato celebration, events

Winona will welcome a delegation from Misato (Winona’s sister city in Japan) in October.

A “Culture Fest” will follow from 2 to 4:15 p.m. at the Toner Student Center. All events are free and open to the public. The Culture Fest will include booth displays and demonstrations, followed by spectacular entertainment by the Japanese Dancers and Taiko Drummers. Exhibits run 2 to 3 p.m., and performances are scheduled from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
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A banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Hiawatha Room, located on SMU’s Saint Teresa campus. Admission is $18 per person, and tickets are available at City Hall, 457-8234. The event features the Gate City Jazz Band from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., as well as the International Dancers of Winona and Native American hoop dancer Jackie Bird.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, the Culture Fest continues at WSU’s Kryzsko Commons Baldwin Lounge. Exhibits run 1 to 2 p.m., with performances from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

Conservatory registration open house is Sept. 6

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts semester I registration open house will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at the corner of 10th and Vila streets.

Registration for semester I classes, beginning Sept. 10, will be accepted at the open house. Tours of the facility will be available, refreshments will be served, and students will have the opportunity to meet new and returning faculty and staff. Additionally, students can be fitted for all their dance attire needs at the open house. MCA’s dance attire boutique offers quality basics including leotards, tights, ballet slippers, jazz shoes and tap shoes.
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Class offerings are available for anyone age 4 through adult and include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, Pilates, and a special tuition-free boys program which offers a Dance Technique for Boys class. Semester I also provides programming for teens and adults in partnership with Winona County Community Education including Clogging I, Clogging II, Dance Fitness and Piyo.

Academic credit is available through Cotter High School and Saint Mary’s for a variety of MCA classes.

Semester I classes will provide 10 weeks of instruction, concluding with a demonstration week, Nov. 12-17. Tuition for MCA classes varies depending on course length and level. Discounts and scholarships are available.

In addition to participation in classes, students ages 5 to 12 are invited to audition for MCA’s youth performing troupe, The Dance Repertory Company II. The DRC II will present a winter showcase, with performances held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. High school and college-age students who participate in the MCA Choreography and Improvisation class will have the opportunity to create and show their works in this winter showcase as well.

For more information about MCA’s open house, classes, or future performances, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5501.

Conservatory wraps up successful summer

Ten of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Boys Program students enjoyed workshops with visiting Guest Artists Allen Fields and Tony Smith, July 23–26 at the Valéncia Arts Center. Pictured are, from left: back, Tony Smith, Jack Bryant, Keegan Eide, Zach Ruben, Chris Bernard, Orion McCullough-Smith, Allen Fields; front, Mac Whaley, Alec Meinke, Kyle Schneider, Hayden Meinke and Jeremiah Munson.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts concluded a successful summer of programming for youth and adults.

MCA served 145 students this summer with dance and theatre programming. Programs included three week-long day camps (Dance Me a Story, Dance the Day Away, and Pied Piper Theatre Camp), adult and specialty boys workshops, and a three-week boarding intensive for intermediate and advanced students.
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Theatre students had the opportunity to study with MCA faculty, as well as professional actors from Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre and Missoula Children’s Theatre. Dance students had the opportunity to study with MCA faculty, as well as visiting guest artists from around the country. Guest artists included Deborah Elias, Allen Fields, Stephanie Milling-Robbins, Tammy Schmidt Perry and Tony Smith.

In addition to many local students participating in MCA summer programming, the MCA Summer Intensive attracted students from as far away as Mexico and Bulgaria. This summer MCA had another record-breaking summer boys program enrollment as well.

Dance Repertory Company to present spring concert*

The 2006-07 performance season at Saint Mary’s University concludes with the Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring concert, “Pure Entertainment,” May 18-19. The event, which will begin at 7:30 p.m., will be held in Page Theatre.
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For more than three decades, the Dance Repertory Company has presented the Winona community with quality dance productions with local dancers featuring classical and contemporary works. This year the DRC presents a concert featuring contemporary ballet, swing, and tap — all to the music of the ’30s and ’40s and choreographed by Christine Martin, production coordinator, and Allen Fields, the Conservatory’s artist in residence.

Performed by current dancers training at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, “Pure Entertainment” will showcase the effervescent spirit, unlimited energy, and technical and artistic abilities that continue to inspire audiences year after year.

“This concert is for everyone,” said Martin. “Children will enjoy wonderful dancing, accompanied by the great music of Ella Fitzgerald for the first time, while their grandparents will reminisce in the memories of this era.”

Cast members include: Chris Bernard, Jackson Bryant, Madeleine Bryant, Trisha Crichton, Keegan Eide, Lydia Feuerhelm, Katie Harbinson, Lars Johnson, Marta Johnson, Caitlin Kamen, Rebekah Mulkey, Katie Nurmela, Augusta Rodgers, Miranda Ruben, Zach Ruben, Danielle Schleich, Jenny Schmidt, Alyssa Schneider, Crystal Sell, Claire Smart, Minami Takar, Lexy Valentine, Adelle Vietor, Kaitlyn Vietor, and Amanda Weatherhead.

The Dance Repertory Company is the youth performing troupe of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances.

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. performances in Page Theatre cost $8, $6 for students and senior citizens and may be purchased online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Performance Center box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.