A Few Tales promises to be a unique experience of Minnesota dance history spanning the last 50 years – and it all started with modern dance classes at the U. A Few Tales will be Patrick, on stage telling stories and sharing videos of his work.

Patrick took his first dance classes at the UM in 1972. He’s been part of the Twin Cities dance scene ever since. The show at Barker will focus on his dance history, as he shares stories of the past, all personal to Patrick, local artist, activist and provocateur. For decades Patrick has pushed the edge, with particular emphasis on being out as a Gay man.

The show:

The structure of “A Few Tales…” is based on the TV show “Jeopardy”. Behind each box is at least one story, including a video of his work. The audience determines the flow of the show, choosing box by box among 6 categories, with 5 choices in each category, to determine the evening’s stories. The categories at Barker will be specifically for Barker: Contact Improvisation, Dance spaces, Choreographed works, Solo Shows, $urvival, Activism in Dance. The vertical choices in each category – 5 decades: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s.

Who: Patrick was among the first dance artists in Minnesota to experience contact improvisation, and it has been central to his work for half a century. He’s known for works ranging from intimate/autobiographical, to boat ballets on rivers in MN and Germany. In 1986 he founded Patrick’s Cabaret, making the local performing arts ecosystem more inclusive and democratic. He’s had 8 different spaces in town.

Patrick has been called a provocateur, free speech champion, impresario, raconteur, choreographer, performance artist, orator, storyteller, pioneer. And activist. He’ll be telling these personal stories, and showing vidoes of his performing works.