Art Hounds: Chinese dance, and the intersection of jazz and classical

This week, the Art Hounds take us to the Rochester Art Center, CAAM's annual dance concert, and the intersection of jazz and classical music.

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Poet Shahbaz Shah says the first time he heard soprano Patrice Michaels' new album "Intersection" he wasn't sure he was ready for it, but within thirty seconds he was asking, "where have you been all my life?" Michaels has created a chamber ensemble that is classically trained, but able to improvise like jazz masters. They perform a free concert this coming Tuesday at Macalester College.

Artist and teacher Matt Winkler recommends you check out Kjellgren Alkire's new show at Rochester Art Center. Winkler says the show — called "Long Haul" — simultaneously embraces and critiques rural life and spirituality through sculpture, photography and video.

Hui Wilcox, a founding member of Ananya Dance Theatre, is excited for CAAM Chinese Dance Theatre's annual dance concert. This year the concert features dances pulled from classic Chinese opera. Wilcox, a native of China, says the concert buoys her spirits with beautiful costumes and movement at a time of year when she feels the most homesick. Performances are this Saturday and Sunday at the O'Shaughnessy in St. Paul.