The Cowles Center

I had the opportunity to attend a performance from the St Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA) at the Tek Box Theater in Cowles. The performance was excellent and the Tek Box space seems ideal for student and local productions. There is limited seating, so small productions can perform to a full house. Sound, lighting, and the stage area seem very adaptable for local productions.

What a beautiful building. I’ve had the great opportunity to watch two shows at the Goodale Theater, plus Unilocal hosted an incredibly fun event here as well. The Goodale Theater is a perfect space with comfortable seating arranged so there’s really no bad seat in the house. The place feels intimate but not cramped, and the performances feel more personal as a result. The bar is convenient and prices are on par with what you’d pay at the Orpheum or the Guthrie. The bathroom stalls are plentiful, which really helps when you have those short intermissions. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and I always come away from the Cowles Center a tiny bit more awestruck by the talented people dedicated to the performing arts.

Wow, the seating arrangements here were fabulous! I can’t say that I saw a seat in the house that was a «bad seat.» I came here for the James Sewell Ballet, and everyone here was friendly and courteous. The bathrooms are also very clean, which is refreshing downtown!

Thank you, Unilocal,for the tickets to see Shapeshift at the Cowles Center! I had been here before for the Minnesota Dance Medicine Conference, so I had a passing familiarity with this beautiful building and some of its amenities. But this was the first time I had the opportunity to see a show here.
This is a great space for dance. The stadium-​style seating ensures that your view isn’t obstructed by the head of the person sitting in front of you. The chairs are cushy. Our seats were in the center on the main level, which offered a great view. It was far enough away to be able to appreciate elements of staging and blocking, but close enough to see the dancers’ expressions. The stage is a nice big size (but not so big that it swallows up a soloist), the lighting was beautiful and varied (and really helped set a variety of moods), and the sound was great.
This may seem minor, but I am always so happy when a theater space has a ton of stalls in the ladies room. They know that intermission time is limited, so not having to stand in line for the whole 15 minutes is really appreciated.
The Shapeshift show itself was fantastic, inspiring, and really enjoyable. This isn’t a dance style that I’ve had much exposure to, and I really loved it. Like many others in the audience, the final number left me in tears. Well done, dancers!

So I’ve been to the Cowles Center a couple of times and what an amazing space. From being available for private events (Yo! Event planners! Ring em up!) to performances, the amenities are top-​notch.
I attended a non traditional dance performance from the troupe Shape Shift where the audience was into it (no quiet clapping here) and in case others see it, let me just say the ending had both dudes and chicks with tears as the piece was so powerful. And did I say the piece, while incorporating many styles of dance, was mostly hip hop. It was great. Their message is also commendable in trying to bring this style back to what it was back in the day and get rid of the gangsta elements, and break down racial barriers. It’s been a week but I still remember their baseline message of plur.
#plur. Peace Love Understanding Respect
The theater offered amazing seating, I was about 5 rows center from the stage and I was on top of it. I could see the dancer expressions and the lead dancers tears (which got the audience going). There is also an upper level which I didn’t experience but my date and I both thought being a few rows back would’ve been optimum to watch the entire stage of movement unfold.
And for those who like a deal, use your Unilocal app and become a check-​in whore like myself. Don’t be suspicious! Big bro has got tabs on you anyway. Check-​in and get $ 4 off that ticket to the Harlem Ballet or any other amazing show that graces its many stages and use that toward something else.

What wonderful acoustic. Came here to see Shapeshift and I’m highly impressed with the layout of this theatre. Seats are grouped together and plenty of leg room.

Went here to see Shapeshift, which is a hip hop dance company and their dancing was so good! The dancers had tons of energy and you can tell they put their emotions into their dancing. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. This was also my first time at the Cowles Center and it is a beautiful place. I will definitely come back here to enjoy this venue.

First thank you Unilocal for the tickets to A Very Electric Christmas!
The Cowles Center is beautiful and has lots of history behind it! It has a open clean feel to it, the acoustics are simply amazing, and the seating is very comfortable. The large stage makes every seat in the house a good one!
There is a simple bar located in the lobby. They serve beer, wine, and liquor. The good news is you can bring your drink inside during the performance.
Tons of restrooms which is always a welcome change!
The performance itself was really cool! It is out of New Orleans and many reminders of one of my favorite cities. This group was on America’s got Talent. They told a sweet story with amazing lights and music. The production is appropriate for the entire family. I would definitely see it next year with my daughter! It’s a perfect holiday night out with the family.

I’ve seen two ballets here so far. Wonderful facility, great performances, and excellent usher/​box office staff.

This venue was purpose built for dance performance and it shows. There’s not a bad seat in the house. Acoustics are superb. I also like how the theater is physically integrated with the neighboring Hennepin Center for the Arts. We have many fine dance companies in town, and it’s good that there is now a top tier venue to showcase their talents.

Hope they have concerts here too because the acoustics are excellent. I was here briefly for the grand opening, open house on Sunday. Wish I coulda stayed longer but by the time I had found out about it I already had other commitments.
This is a beautiful venue, I am so glad it got saved. Back in my high school years I was part of the Save Our Schubert Group, a small but dedicated group of preservation minded people who miraculously got the theater that is now home to the Cowles Center spared from the wreckers. To this day it holds a World Record for the largest building ever moved, the theater was moved from where Block E is now.
I still remember the newspaper theater critic Dan Sullivan in our group saying that the Schubert was one of the best designed theaters in terms of acoustics and sightlines. After going to the grand opening I’d say he was right, although I alway’s believed he was anyway. The seating capacity is a little smaller than I pictured it being though. I think this is because they eliminated one of the balconies.
The building used to have 2 balconies, not sure what happened to the 2^nd one in the renovation process. They did a lovely job though inside and out and am very excited that all the Historic Hennepin Avenue theaters are now in operation. Will be going to performances at the Cowles Center for sure.

NICE, Minneapolis!
The arts community celebrated the opening of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts today with a killer (and free!) showcase of dancing and workshops. Having recently moved back to the Twin Cities, I wasn’t even aware this was in the works, so a friend and I went to go scope it out.
It was packed, on a Sunday afternoon, with families, young people, older folks, and people of all stripes, styles, and colors. The facility is gorgeous– if a little confusing to navigate– and was amply staffed with volunteers who were willing to show you the ropes. The main theater was large but still felt intimate, and having Crave provide free cupcakes and the food at their concession stand was a huge perk. We were a little stunned at the price tag on the pretzels with gouda ($ 7!) until we got it and it was a) huge and b) DELICIOUS.
And the dancing was outstanding. There was a stunning performance by Shapiro & Smith Dance Company, and a pretty absurd breakdancing battle to top off the day.
I’m totally delighted that Minneapolis has, once again, invested where it counts– in building community through the arts.

I attended the Groundbreaker Breakdance Battle hosted by The Cowles Center. I gotta say it was really great.
The breakdancers are amazing, performing like gymnasts with their bodies.
I love that the Cowles center will host breakdance, jazz, modern, ballet, and a whole plethora of dance and performing arts events. I wish that all the performing arts spaces could bring in such a cool variety! Looking forward to seeing what more will come from this venue.