History and Foundation
Ethnic Dance Theatre (EDT) was founded in 1974 by Donald LaCourse and Jonathan Frey as a small ensemble of dancers and singers presenting Balkan traditions. In the last 30 years, EDT has grown into the Twin Cities performing arts scene as a large company of dancers, singers and live musicians. We have represented cultures from five of the seven continents and have performed for audiences in nearly a dozen countries.
An EDT Timeline:
1974: EDT is founded by Donald LaCourse and Jonathan Frey.
Early 1980s: Native guest dancers, choreographers, and musicians begin working with EDT to expand the company's cultural repertoire.
1984: EDT Folk Orchestra becomes a regular part of all performances. The same year, EDT begins presenting school workshops, residencies, and informances.
1986: EDT begins regular touring in the Upper Midwest and in international festivals, including those in Hungary, Bulgaria, France and Czech Republic.
1987: EDT honored with McKnight Excellence in the Arts Award.
1990s: EDT Folk Orchestra voted Best Ethnic Ensemble by the Minnesota Music Academy.
1990: EDT receives its first program grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
1992: First EDT recording made, featuring several live favorites.
1995: Smaller ensemble programs created. In the same year, the Ethnic Dance Theatre Vocal Ensemble (now Mila Vocal Ensemble) recorded its first CD, which lead to a nomination by the Minnesota Music Academy for Best Ethnic Ensemble.
2001: EDT Folk Orchestra records its first CD.
2003: EDT introduces "Nutcracker!" an original folk adaptation of ETA Hoffman's classic tale; "Nutcracker!"; show repeats each December through 2007.
2004: EDT celebrates its landmark 30th anniversary year with retrospective performances featuring works from as early as its first season and highlighting many alumni performers.
2009: EDT celebrates 35th Anniversary Season with the Kaiser's Jubilee; please visit our 35th Anniversary Retrospective page here!
Read more about EDT co-founder and artistic director Donald LaCourse here.
Concert Facts:
Did you know that?
Coming Soon. . . Factoids for THEN and NOW, EDT's Spring Show 2011
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May 13-15
Ethnic Dance Theatre presents THEN and NOW, its 37th Annual Spring Concert Series featuring the music and dance of Bosnia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Iran, Norway, Sweden, and Turkey at the Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis.
One of the most compelling elements of a people's identity is its folk culture. EDT is known for the authenticity it brings to interpreting ethnic music and dance for the stage, and is respected for its work in promoting ethnic music, dance, and costume as art. The first half of the show--THEN--demonstrates our signature performance style at its best.
Folk cultures are constantly evolving, and the manner of presenting folk music, dance and costume on the stage has been undergoing much change around the world in recent years. In some instances, change in the style of presentation has preserved the baby of tradition, while in others, we feel it has not. In the second half of the show--NOW--audiences will experience something of a departure from EDT's traditional style as we present our own contemporary interpretation of ethnic dance, music and costume!
Presentation of THEN and NOW is made possible in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, the McKnight Foundation, the Target Foundation, and our individual donors.
**If you know something interesting--including your own personal story--about a culture represented in our current season, please tell us about it here!