World-renowned dancer-athletes PILOBOLUS kicks off Dance St. Louis 24/25 Season at the Touhill, Nov 9

Dance St. Louis continues enduring mission as the region’s GATEWAY TO WORLD DANCE by presenting a 2024/25 season featuring magnificent performances from world-renowned dance companies from across the US and beyond

Dance St. Louis, one of only four remaining dance-only nonprofit presenters in the country, is pleased to announce its 2024/25 season with single tickets ($45-$89) and 4-packs ($144-$285) going on sale Friday, August 23 through MetroTix. Now in its 59th year, Dance St. Louis continues its mission of bringing world-class dance that wouldn’t otherwise be presented to the St. Louis region.

Dance St. Louis’ 2024/25 season is a feast for the eyes, ears, and mind. The lineup includes a company that has performed on Broadway, at the Oscars and the Olympic Games (Pilobolus, November 9); an international company that has captured the dance world performing to more than 45 million (Ballet Folklórico de México, February 25); a pioneering company of rising stars who made their Kennedy Center debut in 2022 (Collage Dance Collective, April 5); and a smorgasbord of talent from across the country (17th Annual SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2025, May 23 & 24). All Dance St. Louis presentations take place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

DANCE ST. LOUIS 2024/25 SEASON

Pilobolus re:CREATION

Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Free “Speaking of Dance” pre-show talk at 6:30 p.m.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
Single tickets: $50, $75, $89 | 4-Packs: $160-$285
https://www.dancestlouis.org/pilobolus

“Gods and goddesses of physical dance-theatre” — National Public Radio “something more than human” — Observer “signature athleticism and style” — Wall Street Journal

Since its founding in 1972, the world-renowned dance company Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and the power of connected bodies. The internationally renowned company has performed on Broadway, at the Oscars, and the Olympic Games, and created more than 120 dance works. Pilobolus is not just a dance performance. It’s an invitation to a transformative experience. It’s an offering that promises to engage, inspire, and leave audiences in awe.

For Pilobolus’ re:CREATION tour, the audience is invited to step into a realm where imagination knows no limits. Emotion, raw talent, and palpable energy come to life right before your eyes! The boundaries of gravity and creativity blur, offering an intimate window into the essence of creativity itself. re:CREATION is a dynamic collection of dance pieces—daring experiments and groundbreaking new collaborations, which stand alongside Pilobolus’ classics that have been recognized as having altered the landscape of dance and theater. re:CREATION is both timely and timeless, keeping the company at the forefront of innovation. It combines wit, sensuality and stunning physical acumen in a sensory-exploding performance sure to thrill and surprise audiences. It’s a transformative experience that promises to engage, inspire and leave audiences in awe.

Ballet Folklórico de México
Friday, February 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Free “Speaking of Dance” pre-show talk at 6:30 p.m.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
Single tickets: $50, $75, $89 | 4-Packs: $160-$285
https://www.dancestlouis.org/ballet-folklorico-de-mexico

“A captivating spectacle… a brilliant visual and theatrical sense” — New York Times

“it is far more than a world-renowned dance company. For the past 60 years it has served as a cultural ambassador of Mexico and become an imaginative repository of the country’s multi-layered history and rich anthropology.” — Chicago Sun-Times

Ballet Folklórico de México is the premier folkloric dance ensemble in Mexico. The company has reached more than 45 million spectators worldwide and has received countless awards and accolades. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations to the modern era. The company is permanently in residence at the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. It has choreographed more than 120 ballets and is comprised of 60 folk dancers and musicians who continue to perform extensively across Mexico and abroad.

Amalia Hernández is the visionary and pioneer who revolutionized the concept of Mexican traditional dance and forever transformed its history. Hernández devoted her time to the research of the folklore, music, costumes, and dance of the states that comprise Mexico as a country, and uniquely brought them to life creating performances that are a true portrait of Mexico’s beauty, diversity and rich history through music and dance. Her repertoire has become a classic – one that is renewed, transformed, and enriched with the passage of time.

Collage Dance Collective
Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Free “Speaking of Dance” pre-show talk at 6:30 p.m.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
Single tickets: $70, $60, $45 | 4-Packs: $144-$224
https://www.dancestlouis.org/collage-dance-collective

“Southern Cultural Treasure” — South Arts and the Ford Foundation
“ballet made utterly, gorgeously beautiful” — Albany Times
“a new model for ballet’s future” — Huffington Post

Recently named a “Southern Cultural Treasure” by South Arts and the Ford Foundation, Collage Dance Collective is a pioneering company making waves across the country and beyond. Rooted in the heartland of Memphis, Tennessee, Collage Dance Collective embodies the greatness of American dance and is at the national forefront of inspiring the growth and diversity of ballet. Collage’s meteoric rise over the last decade is fueled by its dynamic programming, virtuosic company artists and its talent for presenting what the Albany Times calls “ballet made utterly, gorgeously beautiful”.

Collage Dance is one of the largest Black-led performing arts organizations in the South and is one of just a few professional ballet companies in the world with a roster of BIPOC dancers. The company is also listed among the 50 largest ballet companies in the nation by Dance Data Project. Working to inspire the growth and diversity of ballet, Collage Dance Collective showcases a repertoire of relevant choreography and world-class dancers representative of the communities it serves.

The professional company has presented 14 full-length seasons in Memphis, plus national and international touring, including the Kennedy Center, presenting a diverse range of classical and contemporary choreography from George Balanchine, Wayne McGregor, Nacho Duato, Ulysses Dove, Joshua Manculich, Amy Hall Garner, Kevin Iega Jeff, and more. The work of Collage Dance Collective has been featured in media outlets including Huffington Post, Allure, New York Magazine, Essence, Memphis Magazine, Dance Magazine, and Pointe Magazine.

17th Annual SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2025
Presented by Whitaker Foundation
Memorial Day Weekend
Friday and Saturday, May 23 & 24, 2025
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free “Speaking of Dance” pre-show talk at 6:15 p.m. Lobby performances at 6:45 p.m. Mainstage performances at 7:30 p.m.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
Single Tickets: $15, $25, $35, $40 | 4-Packs: $120-$45

“arguably the best dance buffet in the Midwest” — Chicago Tribune
“Successful both as a celebration of dance and as an invitation to bask in its artistry.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Midwest region’s most celebrated dance festival returns for its 17th year! Nationally touring professional companies from coast to coast flock to St. Louis to bestow their artistry. It’s an unmatched buffet of dance, featuring two days of nonstop dance from a wide array of companies. As one of the region’s must-see festivals, SPRING TO DANCE offers something for everyone, from modern, ballet and contemporary to tap, aerial, hip hop, flamenco and more, with a distinct, dynamic program each night. Experience what the Chicago Tribune hails as “arguably the best dance buffet in the Midwest.”

*Collage Dance Collective. Photo by Tre’bor Jones*

SINGLE TICKETS
Single tickets are $45-$89 and go on sale August 23 via MetroTix at metrotix.com and 314.534.1111. Single tickets to the 17th Annual SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2025 are $15-$40 and go on sale in January 2025.

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS
2024/25 season ticket packages are also currently on sale and available by phone at 314-534-6622 or by email at boxoffice@dancestlouis.org. Season subscriptions provide subscribers access to the best seats, most advantageous pricing, deferred payment, invitation-only events and free tickets for friends and family. Season subscriptions include a 4-Show Package ($298, $260), 3-Show Package ($273, $235), and You-Pick-Two Package ($198 – $155). For more details, visit https://www.dancestlouis.org/24-25-season-subscriptions.

SPONSORS
Dance St. Louis is grateful for major sponsor support to continue its mission of bringing world- class dance to St. Louis. Major sponsors of the 2024/25 season include Ameren, Missouri Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, PNC Arts Alive, Regional Arts Commission, The Shubert Foundation and Whitaker Foundation. Bayer Fund is the education outreach title sponsor.

About Dance St. Louis
Founded in 1966, Dance St. Louis has been bringing the greatest dance of the world to St. Louis audiences for more than 58 years. Dance St. Louis is dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural landscape and artistic reputation of St. Louis by presenting world-class dance and educational opportunities that make dance accessible to everyone. Dance St. Louis also conducts a broad range of education programs for the St. Louis community. Each year, the Bayer Fund Education Outreach Program introduces schoolchildren to the magic of dance through in-school residencies and mainstage performances. For more information, please visit https://www.dancestlouis.org.

Cover photo by Steven Pisano.

*Ballet Folklórico de México/ Photo courtesy of CAMI.*

Lynn Venhaus

Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.

She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.

She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.

poplifestl.com

The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts (the Hett) at McKendree University will continue to connect its audiences to the arts in its 2020-2021 season, in some creative new ways if necessary.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique challenges for scheduling, contracting and preparing to host events months in advance at the 488-seat auditorium, said Liz Crabtree, director of the Hett. Performances will be held on site if conditions are within the appropriate recovery phases of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan.

“We are reimagining our 2020-2021 season and remaining hopeful and flexible,” said Crabtree. “Performances could take place inside the auditorium, outside as a ‘concert in your car’ in the Hett parking lot like a drive-in movie, or virtually on-demand or live-streamed. I am committed to finding ways for us to connect with the arts.”

The Hett will adhere to state and local public health recommendations for events and will take appropriate precautions to protect audience members’ health and safety. Indoor seating capacity may be reduced to create more distance between individual seats, or pairs of adjacent seats, in order to minimize contact. The box office ticketing system may be adjusted accordingly, potentially making some seats unavailable.

A video preview, as well as ongoing updates, will be posted on theHett.com. Dates and times are subject to change. Friends of the Hett may purchase tickets starting on Aug. 3; the general public may do so beginning Aug. 13 at noon. Visit theHett.com or call 618-537-6863 (1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6863) for tickets or more information. All events are open to the public. Prices will range from $5 for children to $38 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students.

Local and regional artists are the focus of the “Discovery Series” in 2020 and early 2021:

Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.: Mr. Blue Sky, a recreation of the ultimate Electric Light Orchestra experience.

Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.: The Traveling Salvation Show, an energetic Neil Diamond tribute.

Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Starlifters play current and ’70s hits, rock, pop, jazz and country.

Nov. 10, 7: 30 p.m.: Old Salt Union, a progressive, high-energy Americana bluegrass-string band.

Dec. 6, 2 p.m.: Janet Evra gives bossa nova, samba and Latin a modern, indie twist.

Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13, 2 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America in a joyful holiday season concert.

Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Big Muddy Dance Company’s “Scrooge,” a contemporary dance satire on the classic tale of love and redemption.

Jan. 24, 2021, 7:30 p.m.: Dave Dickey Big Band performs jazz classics by Count Basie, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and Duke Ellington.

“Discovery Series” performers may also include country singer Alexandra Kay, Randy Holmes, The Wee Heavies and The Brothers Jefferson. Check theHett.com for updates.

“McKendree Presents,” a series of national and international touring acts, will resume in 2021:

Annie Sellick, Nashville jazz vocalist, known for her pleasing, expressive voice.

Pat Hazell’s “Permanent Record” dives into the former “Seinfeld” writer’s personal records to confront his past, present and potential future with humor.

Beauty Slap combines funky, bold, big-band brass with electronic dance music grooves.

Leonid & Friends, an 11-piece band from Moscow, captures the spirit and musicality of jazz-rock super group Chicago.

The ReMINDers mixes soulful vocals and reggae-tinged hip-hop beats with inspiring messages.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! The hit cartoon is brought to life, updated for a new generation with a rock ’n roll feel.

Women in Jazz celebrates the legendary Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.

Goitse, an energetic, award-winning Irish quintet plays traditional and original tunes.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, an indie chamber ensemble with a repertoire of classical, Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock and jazz.

Pilobolus, dancers whose speed, accuracy and strength breaks barriers between disciplines.

ETHEL + Robert Mirabal: The River, a collaboration of music, narrative and ritual by an adventurous New York string quartet, a Native American artist and the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

The McCammon Distinguished Speaker Series will host two Nat Geo Live!speakers, Dr. Zoltan Takacs, a snake venom scientist; and Bertie Gregory, a wildlife photographer. Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier and human rights activist, and the idea lab, a TED Talk-style evening of speakers, will return next spring.

The Hett’s free Film Art Series will present “Booksmart,” Sept. 22; “The Night of the Hunter,” Oct. 12; “Scotland, Pa.,” Nov. 12; “Spider-man,” Feb. 11, 2021; “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” Feb. 23; and “The Anthropocene,” Apr. 22.

The “McKendree University Series” proudly presents talented students from the Division of Visual and Performing Arts throughout the year.

-McK-

The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts—“The Hett”—is Southern Illinois’ premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Ill., 25 miles from downtown St. Louis.