This week in dance finds dancers celebrating succulents in Long Beach, a hip hop Nutcracker in Hollywood; flamenco in North Hollywood, tango in Costa Mesa, Venezuelan work in progress in Lincoln Heights, World Dance in Santa Monica and more So Cal dance this week.

5. Tango in Pacific Time

The ever seductive tango takes the stage with dancers, singers and live music in Tango Buenos Aires’ new show The Spirit of Argentina. The show pays tribute to the French-Argentine singer, songwriter and composer Carlos Gardel as part of the wide-ranging Pacific Standard Time LA/LA, Los Angeles’ celebration of Latin American and Latino Art. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Nov. 18, 2 & 8 p.m., Sun., Nov. 19, 2 & 7 p.m., $39-$99. https://www.scfta.org.

Tango Buenos Aires. Photo courtesy of TBA

4. An L.A.-native with flamenco cred

Maria Bermudez is a familiar force on local flamenco stages, but while born and raised here, Bermudez has devoted considerable time in Spain’s flamenco capitol, Jerez de la Frontera where she was named an Ambassador of Gypsy Culture. Bermudez returns with her signature Sonidos Gitanos (Gypsy Sounds) joined by bailaors/dancers Pedro Córdoba and students of the Santa Barbara Linda Vega Dance Studio including Jocy Cardenas, Amanda Cuevas, Marisa Haro, Sabrina Ibarra, and Talia Vestal, cantes/singers Ana de los Reyes and Miguel Rosendo, gypsy violinist Bernardo Parilla and guitarist Jesus Alvarez. El Portal MainStage Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Sat., Nov. 18, 8 p.m., Sun., Nov. 19, 6 p.m., $40-$75. 818-508-4200, http://elportaltheatre.com.

3. Diversity dancing

The Santa Monica Dance Department’s world dance company Global Motion showcases a spectrum of dance genres and styles under the direction of Raquel Ramirez and Sri Susilowati. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat., Nov. 18, 4 & 7:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., $20 in advance, $22 at door. http://www.smc.edu/dance.

Dance in Concert. Photo courtesy of Norbert De La Cruz III

2. A rainbow of original dance

Original choreography from an impressive line up of choreographers including Lorin Johnson, Keith Johnson, Rebecca Lemme, Julio Medina, Andrew Vaca, and Norbert De La Cruz III highlight this Dance in Concert. Lorin Johnson contributes contemporary ballet for seven dancers while Keith Johnson offers a modern dance quartet. Love songs from the 1950’s are the backdrop for Rebecca Lemme’s Love Letter juxtaposed with Julio Medina’s exploration of hip hop culture aided by a live DJ. Jazz is Andrew Vaca’s métier employing a capella singing while contemporary choreographer Norbert De La Cruz III collaborated with musician/composer Nathan Prillaman. Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Wed.-Fri., Nov. 15-17, 8 p.m., Sat., Nov. 18, 2 & 8 p.m., $20, $16 seniors & students. 562-985-7000, http://csulb.edu/dance.

Momix’ “Opus Cactus”. Photo courtesy of Momix

1. In celebration of cacti

The modern dance company Momix always brings a high dose of theatre and wicked sense of humor to the stage, especially in works by founder/choreographer Moses Pendleton such as Opus Cactus, the calling card this visit. Originally created for Ballet Arizona, the two act creation pays tribute to the astonishing light and extraordinary landscape of the American Southwest and some of its iconic residents including slithering lizards and the title’s namesake cacti. Delicious previews at http://momix.com/portfolio-view/opus-cactus. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Nov. 18, 8 p.m., $45. 562-985-7000, https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pesptpm/10156912/1081486.

Other dance of note:

Venezuelan via New York, Luis Lara Malvacias’ work in progress, Me, An Idiot, considers culture, gender and the melancholia fueled by desiring something that cannot be had. Pieter, 420 W. Avenue 33, Lincoln Heights; Sat., Nov. 18, 8:30 p.m., non-montetary donation to boutique or refreshments. https://pieterpasd.com.

Luis Lara Malvacias. Photo by Rodolfo Graziano

Look for laced up high top sneakers replacing pointe shoes as the Hip Hop Nutcracker transfers the seasonal favorite from Europe to New York City with help from an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist and a dozen hip hop dancers. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., Nov. 17, 8 p.m., $45-$85. http://dolbytheatre.com.

The new series Heart of Dance concludes this season’s studio performances by major dance companies, this week with Mark Morris Dance Group. The new venture is a collaboration among the UC Irvine dance department, New York University, and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. Claire Trevor Theatre, UC Irvine, 4000 Mesa Rd., Irvine; Sat., Nov. 18, 11 a.m., Free, but reservations required. http://heartofdance.brownpapertickets.com/?campaignID=240530&patronID=664709000&linkNum=2&memberID=1f09e2abdaeed2e9e02114d13742f886.

Article feature image: Momix’ “Opus Cacti”. Photo courtesy of Momix

Ann Haskins‘ blog appears at CulturalWeekly.com