Freezing rain turning to eight inches of snow…no problem.
Piano breakdown with replacement making it two minutes before show time on Sunday…no problem.
Kairos played before two very heartful audiences this weekend.
The challenges of production gave way to a transcendent beauty and energy.
Today is the calm after the storm as we rest for ‘Light Up Loring’ this Thursday 7pm at Loring Rec Center in Loring Park.
It was a joy to see Ida and Irv rise again in their encore-legacy phase of life.
I just returned from dress rehearsal for this weekend’s Kairos Dance Theatre Take Me Back to Hip Harlem show at Intermedia Arts, featuring Ida Arbeit and Irv Williams. Maria Genné, Kairos’ Artistic Director, has done it again with a fabulous show that will delight young and old alike. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, you should do so ASAP. It was a sellout last year and you won’t want to miss this year’s new choreography, new dancers, singers and musicians. We’re celebrating choreographer Ida’s 101st birthday (December 7) with performances on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Now that I’ve had a chance to preview the show, I can speak from experience. This performance is inspiring, heart-warming and great fun. The Kairos dancers are from 4 to 101 years old and it is amazing to watch how beautifully everyone interacts.
There is live music – great jazz from seasoned TC musicians and glorious gospel singing from Fred Steele, a member of The Steeles, a world-famous gospel group. Every dance is a special treat but there is one that really stands out for me.
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Wade in the Water is a beautiful song made even more heavenly by Fred’s voice and the marvelous dancers who glide across the stage in rhythmic motion reminiscent of the ocean’s waves.
A tap-dancing routine with Nancy Nair and Danessa Snustad, choreographed by Danessa, Nancy’s student, is a lively toe-tapper. Jesse Neumann-Peterson, a Minneapolis performing artist, solos to an original composition by Irv Williams, jazz saxophonist who recently celebrated his 91st birthday. Jesse and Nancy are delightful to watch as they duo to Goodbye Blues. Down by the Riverside brings the entire Kairos intergenerational dance company on stage for a rousing finale!
This show will warm your heart, inspire your soul, make you tap your toes and clap your hands. It’s sure to please everyone – young and old and in-between.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
When we were rehearsing for our show “Take Me Back to Hip Harlem” (this Saturday, 12/4 at 7 PM and Sunday, 12/5 at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis) this morning I had several moments of ecstasy that many performers hope for while dancing. As we began “Wade in the Water” with vocalist Fred Steele, Peter Schimke on keyboards, Kevin Washington on drums and Douglas White on bass, giving us this amazing music, I felt a joy that sometimes shows up when it all comes together.
We had a group of excellent dancers, with honed choreography, added lots of rehearsals and hard work and we were fortunate to bring in this group of outstanding musicians AND YOU’VE GOT THE MAGIC OF ARTISTRY all woven into one moment.
As you know, last week we had our weekly rehearsal with Ida!
We danced, discussed life in NY, and talked about our upcoming performances of “Take Me Back to Hip Harlem”!
We talked with Ida about her 101st birthday party we will be celebrating on December 4th after the performance. She was very excited!
Discussing Ida’s 101st Birthday celebration!
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If you would like to support moments like this and performances like our upcoming ones in December…Today is the PERFECT DAY to do so!!
It is GIVE to the MAX Day! GiveMN.org is hosting an event that raised over $14,000,000 for MN Charities & NonProfits!
If you’d like to contribute to our upcoming performance and Ida’s 101st Birthday click here!
If you’d like to give to The Dancing Heart program in which each week we are surprised and delighted by the vital engagement of each participant through dance, music and story… click here
Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions to Kairos Dance Theatre.
We can’t express how grateful we are for your encouragement.
Come one, come all as we take you back to Harlem. . .
December 4 & 5 we will revisit the Harlem Renaissance – Take Me Back to Hip Harlem – with Ida Arbeit, Irv Williams, Peter Schimke, Fred Steele, Kevin Washington, Nancy Nair, Elinor Anderson-Genné, Jesse Neuman-Peterson, Danessa Snustad (guest choreographer) at Intermedia Arts on:
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Saturday, December 4, 7:00 pm
AND Sunday, December 5, 3:00 pm
For more information on the event, here is the Press Release: Take Me Back to Hip Harlem- Press Release
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You can use our ticket sales tab on our website to purchase tickets ahead of time for $22.00 ($2 is for the processing fee).
To purchase tickets click here .
IMPORTANT: please contact Beth with any questions.
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At the Performance on Saturday, December 4, we will be celebrating Ida Arbeit’s 101st birthday (December 7(d.o.b.)). If you’d like to participate in the festivities or to become more involved in making our production happen and to be listed in the program, please consider a gift of:
$10.00 will light a candle on Ida’s cake.
$50.00 – $100.00 will allow you to say “I’m with the band.”
$101.00 will include your name on Ida’s special birthday card
$500 + will give you front row seats (right behind the wheelchairs)
$1,000 + will give you a backstage pass
$5,000 + will make you a producer
Doors open at 6:40 pm! (Saturday)
And at 2:40 pm! (Sunday)
We hope to see you there, but until then…here’s something for the road trip back to Harlem…
