Play-based learning environment that helps students grow, learn and develop physically, socially, emotionally, in language and literacy and in thinking (cognitive) skills. Designed to help students meet the State of Minnesota Early Learning Standards.
From high to low-impact, Pilates, dance and aquatics, there is a fitness class for you!
Enrichment classes for preschoolers.
Science,Technology, Engineering & Math
Join us for this unforgettable experience with an amazing ballet classic! Whether you have taken ballet classes or you just love an evening out at the theater, you will enjoy this special opportunity created just for Edina Community Ed participants! Join us for an evening with Continental Ballet Company to watch their production of Giselle and receive a private talk to learn more about the ballet, the company and what it takes to put on such a production. As a bonus, you will get to see our very own ballet instructor, Kaethe Birkner, in her return to the stage, as she will be performing in this production!
This event is for ages 10 and up. All youth must come with an adult.
If you have questions, please email our ballet instructor Kaethe Birkner at kabirkner2020@gmail.com.
Ballet Appreciation #1 : Giselle – Performance + Talk
Bloomington Arts Center - Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 6:15pm to 9:30pm
This performance will include a talk before the show. Your tickets to the show will be given to you when you sign-in for the talk.
Please note, you will need to arrive at the theater, located in Bloomington, by 6:15pm. More details will be emailed out to participants closer to the show date. Please be sure the email you have on file with us is current.
You must sign up by 2/27/26. If you wish to sign up past this date, please contact Edina Community Ed to see if it is possible.
About Giselle:
Full of ghosts and romance, this ballet tells the story of Giselle, a peasant girl who falls in love with a nobleman, Albrecht, thinking he is a peasant. Hilarion, another villager, is also in love with Giselle and he is jealous of her love for Albrecht. Albrecht is also engaged to a noble lady named Bathilde. Hilarion finds out Albrecht’s secret and tells the village that Albrecht is a nobleman and betrothed to someone else. When Albrecht’s true identity and engagement is revealed and Giselle learns they cannot be together, she dances herself to death because of her weak, and now broken, heart.
After her death, Giselle becomes a Willis. Willis, led by their queen Myrtha, are all unmarried women who were scorned or betrayed by their lovers in life. They take revenge in the night on any man wondering the woods by making him dance himself to death. Hilarion goes to mourn at Giselle’s grave and is caught by the Willis and dies. Albrecht also goes to Giselle’s grave and is caught by the Willis. Albrecht and Giselle plead with Myrtha to spare him. Myrtha will not. Still, Giselle’s love protects Albrecht so he dances til dawn but doesn’t die. At dawn the Willis fade with the night, leaving Giselle, now freed from their power of vengeance and hate, saying goodbye to her love who is safe.
This ballet is to the ballet world rather what Hamlet is to the theater world: a traditional classic that stands the test of time and is a recognizable name with a tragic story line that is performed all over the world by companies great and small. This is a Romantic-era ballet, which are known for their long, white tutus and stories filled with ghosts or other supernatural beings. A true classic that you will not want to miss!
About Continental Ballet Company:
Continental Ballet Company has been performing ballets from the classical repertoire for thirty-seven years. Under the direction of Founder, Riet Velthuisen, the company rehearses daily in their studio at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. Riet is originally from Holland where she danced professionally with several European companies including the Dutch National Ballet. CBC dancers are contracted each season and this year we welcome dancers from the Twin Cities, New York, Florida and Switzerland. They are all adult professionals with a minimum of seven years of training. The company is committed to providing enriching, entertaining and educational programs that advance the art of classical ballet and encourage community engagement.
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Please read our Adult Programming Overview page for all info regarding registration, cancellation, and building info.
Adult Programs - Edina Community Ed (edinaschools.org)
Registration for all class sessions closes 3 days before the start date.
Late Registration: If you miss the deadline but are still interested, you can contact the Community Ed office. Space may be limited, but we'll try our best to accommodate late registrations.
Email: communityed@edinaschools.orgPhone: (952) 848-3952
Kaethe Birkner
