Coffee-shop inspired ballet comes to Union Depot

Ballets tend to be based on dramatic stories or fairy tales: "Romeo and Juliet," "Cinderella," "the Nutcracker."

But Ballet Minnesota is betting that crowds will come see a ballet about life in their neighborhood coffee shop.

On Saturday the St. Paul company is performing two free performances at Union Depot. The ballet, "Black Dog Cafe," is named after the coffee shop two blocks down from the train station.

Artistic Director Andrew Rist said he was inspired to choreograph the ballet by his many visits to the Lowertown cafe, and the many stories he saw unfold there.

"One time there was a birthday party for a little boy, you see romances happen, you see so many things at Black Dog," Rist said.

He's also seen hip-hop performances and flamenco classes there.

"You have all these different cultures and people coming into the Black Dog Cafe and I think it's really interesting and fun," Rist said.

Rist contacted the owners of the coffee shop, and asked to go through their extensive CD collection. He then picked 20 pieces of music to which he choreographed vignettes based on what he'd witnessed.

The ballet premiered in 2007, but Saturday's performance marks the first time it will be done in a non-traditional setting. The cafe has since changed its name to the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar.

Rist said the show is part of an ongoing effort to bring ballet to new audiences, and to make it accessible.

Performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. in the Union Depot's waiting room.