More evidence that mountain biking's alleged "health benefits" are
exaggerated. If you die, where is the net benefit???
Mike
Northrop Auditorium director dies while biking
Dale Schatzlein, 58, brought cutting-edge performers to Twin Cities
BY DAVE ORRICK
Pioneer Press
Dale Schatzlein, the longtime director of the University of
Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium who is credited with bringing
sophistication to Twin Cities audiences through modern dance and jazz,
died Thursday while mountain biking with friends in the Colorado
Rockies.
The athletic 58-year-old had run 18 marathons and cycled over mountain
passes on annual trips. The news that he appears to have died of a
heart attack shocked friends.
Services hadn't been finalized Saturday.
Schatzlein, who was born and raised in Minneapolis, had run the
performance hall since 1985 and was a fixture in the region's arts
scene.
He ran the theater's regular dance series and always was seeking to
bring new flavors of performances from around the globe to the Twin
Cities.
"I loved the fact that Dale was always open to new ideas from all over
the world," said Philip Bither, senior curator for performing arts for
the Walker Art Center.
As both friends and colleagues, Bither and Schatzlein often
collaborated in pulling in international dance troupes, from Russia's
famed Bolshoi Ballet to France's Lyon Opera Ballet to the Netherlands
Dance Theater to the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, a pre-eminent
African-American dance company. But he didn't seek only the best or
most renowned.
"It's built into the Walker's mission to take chances," Bither said.
"What Dale succeeded at was building a large subscription base for
five to seven events a year to bring dance to the mainstream. But that
didn't make him conservative or bottom-line oriented. When he wanted
to bring someone who was really pushing the edges, he would bring them
in."
During intermissions, Schatzlein would linger in the lobby and listen
to audience reactions, thus becoming a student of those he sought to
enlighten, friends said.
Not easily categorized, the impresario began his career in statistics
and balance sheets, armed with a bachelor's degree from the University
of Minnesota and a master's of business administration, friends said.
His curiosity led him to enjoy a spectrum of hobbies, from fantasy
football to Italian and French cuisine. He went so far as to study
under professional chefs to hone skills he used in his kitchen among
friends.
He is survived by life partner Emily Maltz, brother Greg, and sisters
Lynn Blank and Pam Luger.
Dave Orrick can be reached at [email hidden].
or 651-228-2171.
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I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"😉. Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!