Last Thursday, I took a hard hat tour (video from City Pages) of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, which is set to open this fall. Located on the corner of Hennepin and Sixth in downtown Minneapolis, the Cowles Center takes over the relocated Shubert Theatre (built in 1910, now called the Goodale Theater) building and connects with the adjacent Hennepin Center for the Arts (built in 1888) through the modern U.S. Bank Atrium. The new space features a 500-seat theater (300 seats in grand tier and 200 seats in orchestra level). Other spaces include the Target Education Center, a rehearsal and event space that's also the new location of their distance learning program.
Built by Minneapolis-based Artspace, the complex is truly made for the performance community, which you can see through details like backstage flooring designed for toe shoes, expansive dressing rooms and theater seats close enough to see the feet of dancers. The history of the two buildings is also honored, with columns surrounding the stage that replicate details from the Shubert and more. As the project nears completion, more details about the space will emerge, including information about a restaurant in the former Lone Tree Bar & Grill space.
In all, it was a nearly $46 million project and creates what Artistic Director Frank Sonntag calls "one of the best venues for dance in the world." The innagural season will include performances by 17 local companies (such as Ragamala, James Sewell, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Cantus, Zenon and much more). Leading up to the grand opening in September, you'll be able to experience "random acts of dance" at events through out the summer (photo from their appearance at Pride Festival from Lavender Magazine). The grand opening will take place the weekend of Sept. 9-11. with a gala performance on Friday, a dance community night on Saturday and an open house on Sunday.
--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor
[Renderings courtesy of Cowles Center]
Comments