A selection of Artistic Director Mathew Janczewski’s favorite works from ARENA DANCES
September 12 – 14, 2024
September 12 | 7:30 PM
September 13 | 7:30 PM
September 14 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Monument showcases a selection of Artistic Director Mathew Janczewski’s favorite works from ARENA DANCES. These pieces, chosen for their contemporary relevance, exemplify the physical rigor and musical passion that ARENA is renowned for.
The evening opens with the 2010 premiere of Huddle, a powerful men’s quartet set to the music of Radiohead. This piece challenges conventional notions of masculinity and success, pushing against societal expectations and exploring what it means to break free from predefined roles. Following this, the stage will be revitalized with For Entertainment Purposes Only, a new rendition of a previous full-length work. This iteration features dynamic excerpts set to the timeless music of Gershwin and Irving Berlin, adding a vibrant and energetic touch to the performance.
The evening’s premiere features a captivating new duet, As of Now, performed by Dustin Haug and Leslie O’Neill to an original score by Joshua Clausen. This piece immerses the audience in a tangle of infinite limbs, evoking a sense of time travel and dropping them into the midst of a profound experience. The evening concludes with a remount of Mathew Janczewski’s 2003 work, Navigations, originally created for Zenon Dance Company. This performance serves as both a tribute to the influential role Zenon Dance Company has played in the Twin Cities dance scene and a celebration of the dancers’ physical prowess. Navigations showcases the inherent joy of movement and the strength found in collective expression, highlighting the power of a unified ensemble.
For Entertainment Purposes Only (reimagined premiere/2022)
Music: Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Red Nichols and Rodgers & Hammerstein II
Light Design: Mark Ruark
Dancers: Non Edwards, Jake Nehrbass, Vy Nguyen, and Sarah McCullough. Apprentices/ghosts: Rachel Holmes, Kelli Miles and Athena Rodriguez
Thank you to past collaborative creation/input by Sarah Baumert, Rachel Clark, Elise Erickson, Dustin Haug, Blake Nellis and Timo Wagner.
Huddle (2008)
Music: Radiohead and 65 days of static
Light Design: Mark Ruark
Dancers: Gabriel Anderson, Dustin Haug, Isaiah Langowski, and Jake Nehrbass.
Thank you to past collaborative creation/input by John Beasant III, Jacob Melczer, Stephen Schroeder, Duncan Schults, Galen Treuer, and Timo Wagner.
— 10 MINUTE INTERMISSION —
As of now (premiere)
Music: played randomly, unknown each evening
Light Design: Mark Ruark
Dancers: Dustin Haug and Leslie O’Neill
Thank you to creation/input by Laura Selle Virtucio.
Navigations (2003)
Music: Michael Nyman
Light Design: Mark Ruark
Dancers: Non Edwards, Dustin Haug, Isaiah Langowski, Kelli Miles, Sarah McCullough, Jake Nehrbass and Leslie O’Neill.
Thank you to past collaborative creation/input and original commission by Zenon Dance Company in 2003- Sarah Baumert, Amy Behm Thompson, Devin Carey, Chrisine Maginnis, Stephen Schroeder and Gregory Waletski.
ARENA DANCES Leadership
Founder & Artistic Director: Mathew Janczewski
Creative Design Manager: Kate Sebes
Monument Poster Design: Diane Waller
Board Of Directors:
Catherine Dannenbring, Chair
Caroline Glawe
Brandon Plombon
Marisa Epstein
Betsy Maloney Leaf
Deanna Thompson
Elliana Vesely
ARENA DANCES
ARENA DANCES is a contemporary dance company performing the work of Mathew Janczewski. The work is abstract in form, giving shape to emotions, exploring the depths and the limits of what drives us as humans to connect, to break away, to survive. Just as our emotions can veer wildly, ARENA incorporates a highly kinetic style of movement, a sweeping physicality that takes in a broad range of feelings and the posturings we may make to protect ourselves in the world. The work springs first from Mathew’s own experiences; then, through the movement and structure, ARENA seeks to find a form to give those experiences both truth and commonality.
Founded in 1995, the mission of ARENA DANCES is to make dance accessible to all through the presentation of contemporary dance, educational outreach, and community gatherings to inspire, promote dialogue and diversity.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
Based on Calendar Year. Last Updated August 8, 2024.
BENEFACTOR ($10,000+):
Sher Demeter
SUSTAINER ($5,000+):
Amy von Walter
SPONSOR ($2,500+):
Heather & Kent Pilakowski, Rick Schaefer
LEADER ($1,000+):
Mark Addicks & Tom Hoch, Leigh Dillard, Milo Pinkerton & Virgil Taus
PROMOTER ($500-999):
Neal Jahren, Jerry Lee & Don Ofestdal
SUPPORTER ($250-499):
Kerry Keen & Nina Ebbighausen, Ron Lotz & Randy Hartten, Wendy Holmes & David Frank, Kelley Lindquist, Emily Maltz – Dale Schatzlein and Emily Maltz Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation, Caryn & Ron Miles, Matthew & Laura Murphy, Steve & Jenni Norlin Weaver
COMMUNITY PARTNER ($100-249):
Mark Davis, Mary Hansmeyer, Rebecca Heist, Heather Klopchin, William & Betsy Maloney Leaf, Sandy Simmons & Kevin Kunz, Frank Rhame & Beverly Christie, Tyler & Amy Thomson, Bethany Whitehead
This performance is also made possible with the support of:
Luminary Arts Center
Box Office
700 N 1st St, Mpls, MN 55401
M–F, 10am–5pm
612-333-6669
Tickets
General Admin: $25
Student + Senior: $20
*9/14 2pm: Pay-What-You-Can
Covid-19 Protocols
ARENA DANCES asks that anyone experiencing symptoms of or recently exposed to COVID-19 refrain from attending the performance.