A 2012 Ivey Award!

State Theater, Mpls, MN, September 23, 2012 – The Theater Latte Da/University of Minnesota production of Spring Awakening: The Musical, featuring BLM Artistic Director Carl Flink’s volatile choreography, received a 2012 Ivey Award for “Overall Excellence.” The award presenter said of the production that one Ivey panelist enthused, “This is why the Ivey’s exist!” The Ivey’s are the annual awards for the Minnesota Theater community. The men of the Spring Awakening cast also performed Carl’s version of The Bitch of Living as a part of the ceremony.  This is Carl’s second Ivey award having won one in 2010 as a part of the Jungle Theater’s production of Mary’s Wedding, which also was awarded for “Overall Excellence.”

BLM’s WRECK to Rise Again in Duluth!

BLM is pleased to announce that on October 9 & 10, 2012, we will present Carl Flink’s evening length work Wreck at The Machine Shop of the Clyde Iron Works in Duluth, MN. This production is a partnership with Duluth’s Zeitgeist Arts and The Clyde Iron Works. Wreck features Mary Ellen Child’s original score, which received a 2008 Sage Award. The music will be played live by all of the original musicians. More details soon, but mark your calendars for a road trip to Duluth if you’re not already up there.

This production is supported in large part by funds provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s arts and cultural with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Watch the Wreck Preview

Rave Reviews for Theater Latte Da’s “Spring Awakening”

On April 14, Theater Latte Da in partnership with the University of Minnesota Theatre Arts & Dance Department opened a brand new version of Spring Awakening: The Musical directed by Peter Rothstein, music direction by Denise Prosek and choreographed by BLM‘s own Carl Flink. The critics and audience responses were incredible.

Twin Cities Star Tribune Review by Caroline Palmer: “When Frank Wedekind wrote the source work [for Spring Awakening: The Musical] in 1891 he described [it] as “a tragedy of childhood” and Flink picks up on this dark theme throughout the movement – it fairly roils with the barely-contained energy and scrambled desires of disaffected youth. . . . Flink integrates all of these challenging ideas into his choreography. It’s not neat and tidy – rightfully so. Instead it is performed by the entire cast with all the raging heart and rugged soul of young people who so desperately yearn to be set free from the bounds of social convention that they must express themselves by using every means necessary.” full article

Twin Cities Star Tribune Review by Graydon Royce: This Spring Awakening “locates the personal immediacy amid the pageantry of music and movement [and] beautifully reminds us that every generation needs its voice.” full article

St. Paul Pioneer Press: “You could light a bonfire with the energy coming off the stage at Theater Latte Da’s Spring Awakening.” A big one.” full article

Twin Cities Daily Planet: “And the choreography, oh, the choreography. Carl Flink has these kids stomping and leaping and flying and climbing on anything that will lift them off the ground and into the air. It’s a powerful, athletic, often gravity and sense-defying set of physical pictures on stage that keep building until it’s all you can do to stay in your seat in the audience.” full article

Twin Cities City Pages: “Director Peter Rothstein and choreographer Carl Fink present a piece that is overwhelming in its constant movement and energy – so much so that you want to jump out of your seat and join in by the end of the show.” full article

Howwastheshow.com: “But here’s a play that rings all my bells: Spring Awakening. Terrific story, excellent book, tasty music, superb direction, boffo performances. Here’s one I can brag about.” full article

Metro Magazine: “Seeing Theater Latt

BLM Teaches Math!

Well, not exactly, but BLM is conducting a dynamic series of residencies at the Clara Barton Open Public School in Minneapolis and the Monroe & Linwood Public Elementery Schools in St. Paul focused on teaching students math and dance as complementary fields of study in an innovative project supported by a major grant from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and administered by St. Paul’s Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

BLM in Long Beach, CA for TED Full Spectrum

March 3, 2012 – On March 2, 2012 at approximately 9 a.m. p.s.t., BLM, collaborator John Bohannon and Jelloslave cellists Michelle Kinney and Jacqueline Ultan gave their new 2012 TED: Full Spectrum presentation on talking about the facts of life with children at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in downtown Long Beach, California. The company rehearsed at the Cal State Long Beach Dance Department where Carl and movers Eddie and Natalie also gave a master technique class on March 1, 2012. Follow this link to some great BLM images from the conference: TED Pics

This presentation continued the evolution of our collaboration with John that started with our recent 2012 TEDx Brussels presentations A Modest Proposal and Zero Gravity Dance.

For more information go to the 2012 TED: Full Spectrum speakers page and the March 2, 2012 program guide

BLM Shoots A Duet for Wreck for TPT’s MN Original

January 11, 2012 – Emilie and Carl shot a for screen version of Carl’s bittersweet A Duet for Wreck in an old factory room at the Soap Factory gallery space in Minneapolis, MN today for Twin Cities Public Television’s MN Original. We’ll keep you posted when an air time is announced. Mary Ellen Childs original music for Carl’s evening length work Wreck will be featured in the spot.

BLM Invited to the 2012 TED: Full Spectrum!

January 11, 2012 – Today, TED Talks announced its roster of presenters for its 2012 TED: Full Spectrum conference in Long Beach, CA and BLM and our Science Magazine correspondent buddy John Bohannon will be presented March 2, 2012! This will be a brand new presentation that continues to evolve our collaboration with John that started with our recent 2012 TEDx Brussels presentations A Modest Proposal and Zero Gravity Dance.

For more information go to the 2012 TED: Full Spectrum speakers page and the March 2, 2012 program guide

BLM at 2011 TEDx Brussels

November 22, 2011 – BLM performed two presentations at the 2011 TEDx Brussels in Belgium. The first presentation, A Modest Proposal, was created in collaboration with Science Magazine correspondent John Bohannon. The piece focused on the dangers of powerpoint and the value of dialogue between scientists and dancers. The “A Modest Proposal” video has since gone viral on the Internet with a conservative estimate of over 900,000 views. The second presentation Zero Gravity Dance is an argument in movement for dancers being the next humans to follow astronauts into space. BLM and Bohannon will perform “A Modest Proposal” during its upcoming Feb. 10-12, 2012 season at the new Cowles Center in downtown Minneapolis, MN.

BLM Receives MSAB Arts Tour MN Grant to Bring Field Songs and Wreck to Duluth, MN

January 5, 2012 – BLM and Duluth’s Teatro Zuccone just received a $97,000 2012 Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Tour Minnesota Grant to bring Carl Flink’s Wreck and Field Songs to the the Duluth, MN area during two extensive residencies in Minnesota’s wonderful city on majestic Lake Superior. The Field Songs performances will feature live music played by roots rock band The Jinnies, and Wreck will feature live performances of Mary Ellen Childs’s Sage Award winning original composition for the evening length work.