A Living Legacy: Vortex! presented by Heidi Duckler Dance in the Henry P. Rio Bridge Gallery & Rotunda, Los Angeles City Hall on January 16, 2026, was a wonderful celebration of the 40-year history of Heidi Duckler Dance. The evening included a reception with light refreshments, an interesting conversation with Terry Wolverton, a live performance, and Artist talkback including all the performers, the choreographer, and moderated by a former company member.
The City Hall Rotunda, with its beautiful dome ceiling, is a unique space for a site-specific work. The central dome, with its vaulted ceiling, is adorned with a Zodiac-themed medallion symbolizing the four elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. The surrounding panels represent science, commerce and engineering and blend themes of technology and nature. Mythological figures symbolize the courage, perseverance, progressiveness and energy of the people of Los Angeles. The floor is made up of varied types of colors of marble arranged in geometric patterns winding throughout the passages and vestibule. It is a truly inspiring space that swirls and whirls around the artists as they move throughout the space.
Heidi Duckler Dance – “A Living Legacy: Vortex!” – Photo by Ginger Sole Photography.
Ms. Duckler’s opening comments highlighted the company’s legacy combining social commitment, community responsibility, and artistic brilliance performing in civic spaces. The hallway was decorated with large photos and videos that highlight the dance legacy of Heidi Duckler Dance featuring various projects created for no-traditional venues. The sound was a little muffled initially, but the dancers were creating music with their strength and commitment to the movement. A Living Legacy: Vortex opened with 2 dancers in the hallway leading to the rotunda. They are dressed as they are going to a party. The man wears a suit, and the woman is wearing a dress that compliments her movement. It is as if the dancers are meeting for the first time as they travel on diagonal pathways and pause on windowsills effectively utilizing the limited space. They fill the space with passion, speed, and longing as they come together and then apart.
The transition to the rotunda brought the added elements of live music created by an accomplished cellist and soprano. The acoustics are magical as the circular design creates sound reflections that result in echoes and reverberation throughout the room. A woman’s plaintive soprano voice rises and falls at times creating dissonance with the notes being played by the cellist. Yellow fabric falls from the balcony, and it is as if the voice is falling too. The lush, rich music rolls around the room and taking over the space caressing the audience and eventually the dancers. It has an otherworldly quality, and the two dancers capture that feeling. The man is still in his suit, but the woman has minimal clothing enabling the audience to clearly experience her sheer strength and commitment to every single shape and movement. The music, dancers, and space unite to create a series of emotional vignettes that rise and fall as the artists move throughout the space using the columns, pillars, and passageways.
Heidi Duckler Dance – “A Living Legacy: Vortex!” – Photo by Ginger Sole Photography.
There is an inherent sensuality that is permeates the artists performance. Dancers, Colleen Loverde and Alejandro Perez, vocalist/performer, Joanna Lynn-Jacobs, and musician/composer, Max Judelson, are all deeply connected in their artistry and collaborate seamlessly. Sometimes the music seems to lead the movement and other times it seems the movement is inspiring the music. There are periods where the choreography is clearly improvisational, but the artists are so connected to the space and one another that a deep story emerges. The transitions are accentuated by extremely loving hands and caresses. Everything seems to fit perfectly into the space and music. The choreography is designed to complement the space, the music, and the dancers. They perform an intricate turn and floor sequence that demonstrates tremendous modern technique. They move as one in perfect unison. I was amazed by the fluidity and control that the male dancer exhibited in his suit. The movement phrase felt as if it was never ending and seemed to match the never-ending spirals in the space.
Heidi Duckler Dance – “A Living Legacy: Vortex!” – Photo by Ginger Sole Photography.
The sections that seemed the least coherent involved the female dancer on the shoulders of the male dancer and dancers underneath the yellow fabric from time to time. The flower petals falling from the ceiling were pretty, but what was the point? Finally, the singer slowly turned wrapping herself in the voluminous yellow fabric in a way that was reminiscent of the work of iconic choreographer, Geoffrey Holder. Although I found these sections interesting, they felt unresolved and unfinished.
Joe Schenck did a great job moderating the Artist Talkback. It was interesting to hear from the artists and choreographer and gain insight about the creative process. Vortex as Choreographer, Raymond Ejiofor’s description of Vortex using the words “cavern, never ending, constant unveiling, spiral manifestations, chaos, harmony, and duality” effectively captured the very essence of the presentation. Los Angeles City Hall, landmark and workplace, still standing tall for nearly a century after earthquakes, riots, budget crises, and neglect was the perfect venue for this concert. Heidi Duckler Dance, 40 years and counting, still persevering, “provoking curiosity, connecting humans through dance, connecting with purpose, always making …” and standing tall with hope. Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary celebration!
To learn more about Heidi Duckler Dance, please visit their website.
Written by Leah Bass-Baylis for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Heidi Duckler Dance – A Living Legacy: Vortex! – Photo by Ginger Sole Photography.
