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?
Mumbai
The Gateway to India
Mumbai is one of the most populous cities in the world. It was built across seven islands & was controlled by various empires before the arrival of the first Europeans, the Portuguese. Control ultimately passed to the British who, beginning in the late 18th century, reshaped the city in a series of large-scale civil engineering projects. Under British control, Mumbai emerged as India’s most important center of commerce. Today, it is home to such institutions as the Reserve Bank of India & the National Stock Exchange of India, as well as numerous Indian and multinational corporations. In 1885 the first session of the Indian National Congress ("the Congress Party") was held in Mumbai, and in the 20th century Mumbai was a strong base of support for the Indian independence movement. The city is also the home of Bollywood, India’s film and TV industry. See our Indian suite in PORTS of CALL!
**If you know something interesting--including your own personal story--about a culture represented in our current season, please tell us about it here!