Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform works by its founder and artistic director, who passed away in 2018. (Paul B. Goode)
Northrop's 2019-20 Dance Series has a little something for everyone: modernists, tap lovers, ballet purists, those yearning for a little more adventure.
Announced Wednesday, highlights include Paul Taylor Dance Company, coming to Minneapolis with a program of works by its late founder and artistic director (March 21, 2020). Martha Graham Dance Company pairs its founder's trailblazing modernism with new works by female choreographers (April 4, 2020).
Fans of 20th-century ballet innovator George Balanchine will be pleased to find his choreography in two programs: Salt Lake City-based Ballet West brings a production of Balanchine's famous "Jewels" (Feb. 22-23, 2020) while a rare U.S. outing by the State Ballet of Georgia features two pieces by the late legend (April 29, 2020).
For something a little jazzy, Mark Morris Dance Group performs "Pepperland," set to former Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson's fresh arrangement of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's" album (January 25, 2020). Then there's Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's jazz-infused take on "The Great Gatsby" (Sept. 28).
In the adventurous category, New Zealand's Black Grace marries Indigenous movement from the Pacific Islands with contemporary forms (Nov. 7). In a co-production with Walker Art Center, Ireland's Teaċ Daṁsa brings a fresh take on "Swan Lake" woven with Irish mythology (Oct. 24-27).
Another Walker co-presentation stars Kyle Abraham's New York-based A.I.M. dance company, known for its fluid mix of hip-hop and classical lines. Abraham has been presented by the Walker in the past, but this booking marks his Northrop debut (Feb. 29, 2020). Northrop also teams with Twin Cities Tap Festival to present a program by MacArthur "Genius" Award-winning tap dancer Michelle Dorrance and her New York-based Dorrance Dance (Oct. 19).
As for the 2019-29 Northrop Music Series, the venue's recently restored pipe organ takes the spotlight with concerts by saxophone-organ duo Brandford Marsalis and Jean-Willy Kunz (Oct. 1), the Chenault Organ Duo (Dec. 3) and Minnesota Orchestra (Mar 27-28, 2020).
Season subscriptions and group tickets can be purchased immediately via 612-624-2345 or northrop.umn.edu. Single tickets can be purchased staring June 10.
