Highways Performance Space, an alternative cultural center in Los Angeles, has boldly presented innovative and diverse works to the community for the past 36 years. Saturday, March 8, 2025, week 2 of “New Shoes 2025,” was no exception. Each of the four featured companies brought something new and intriguing to the black box theater which was packed to the rafters with an enthusiastic audience of friends, family and spectators.
Highways Week 2 of New Shoes 2025 – josie j and Wendy Zhuo in “por-tal” – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
First up was josie j & Wendy Shuo in “por-tal.” In the darkness the two performers dressed in white enter and light candles which are set on small block like tables. They walk the stage somnambulantly as Shuo sings a sweet song while josie utters an occasional sound. There is no musical accompaniment. This is an interesting start but the premise does not evolve into anything compelling. Walking a line between two points the dancers meet in the middle and become entangled in as stated in the program, “the conflict of existing in an ancient body in a contemporary spirit.” However, we do not feel nor recognizes this trope as what we see is not actual dance but a groping of bodies that neither identifies the anguish nor sweeps us away with dancing prowess. Seeming to finish before it could build any momentum the two performers slipped off stage to tepid applause. There is a good idea here but this version needs a lot of work to live up to its possibilities.
Highways Week 2 of New Shoes 2025 – Cast of “Infinite Circuit: Releasing” by Lindsay Lykins – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
“Infinite Circuit: Releasing” by choreographer Lindsay Lykins in collaboration with the dancers, was up next. This was a dynamic work with top-notch dancers. Lykins not only has a deft hand with choreography but also knows how to stage for maximum effect. Primarily using the music of Philip Glass intercut with various composers, the soundtrack is seamless and compelling in its urgency. The seven dancers do not miss a step and Lykins does not miss a musical accent, which makes for satisfying viewing. Contemporary jazz mixed with modern technique is the primary vocabulary of Lykins who understands how to meld styles while building the intensity to a fever pitch. All the dancers were up to the task and executed each segment with precision and hyper-energy. Along with demanding jumps, turns and floorwork, Lykins also brought an interesting quirkiness to the head and arm movements which gave the piece an original flair. This for me was the highlight of the evening. In the program there is an esoteric statement as to what this work represents, none of which I saw onstage, instead what I saw was a terrific and very entertaining dance piece and sometimes, that is enough. The excellent dancers were, Brenan Gonzales, Leeann Ross, Onye Stevenson, Sam Amey, Summer Vu, Tamar Gabelev and Wyatt Florin.
Highways Week 2 of New Shoes 2025 – Cast of “WYRD” by Beth Huelsenbeck – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
The third installment of the evening was Choreographer Beth Huelsenbeck’s, “WYRD.” Before it devolved into repetitiveness this was another intriguing dance based on Greek mythology and the fates. Here each of the four women, dressed in loose white clothing, clutches a long ribbon or thread that will symbolically weave them together. The dancers also credited with choreography are Maggie Canady, Mara Hancock, Beth Huelsenbeck and Maya Lim. Eerie music laced with ghostly vocals composed by Edna Yeh with singers Joan Bell and Terry Meyers, sets the scene for a séance-like atmosphere. Each woman appears haunted as she furiously wraps and unwraps the long ribbon over and under in a struggle to get free. Each has a story which plays out in improvised and sometimes frenetic gyrations, leaving the impression that we are in a madhouse. Through solos, duets and quartets we are drawn into this nihilistic world as they work in around each other eventually tangling the ribbons together in a crazy Maypole configuration. The dancers are all very capable with strong contemporary technique and confident stage presences, however more unison dance would help focus the eye which tires of constant individual movement. Though too long, there was a lot of good work offered here. With judicious edits and more attention to the power of the whole, this piece has real potential.
Highways Week 2 of New Shoes 2025 – Northern Star Dance Company in “Polaris” by Jason Tsou – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Northern Star Dance Company closed out the night with “Polaris.” Honoring ancient philosophies and modern artistry, master Kung Fu artist Jason Tsou has woven together a dynamic compilation of martial arts and contemporary dance for a show-stopping finale. Opening with old footage of Mr. Tsou, in what appears to be a competition from the past, we hear a voice-over alluding to the power of this art form while he, now an older gentleman, demonstrates Tai Chi like movement on the darkened stage. He retreats to the audience as the dancers burst onstage with vibrant energy, and excellent technique to showcase aspects of these disciplines. The powerful choreography is credited to Jason Tsou and his dancers, Elena Bruce, Aysha Cunningham, Alexis Massey, Kennedy Silva-Costa and Lingfeng Yi. Each dancer is featured demonstrating specialty movement and weapons expertise, while dancing with acrobatic polish. The fantastic final group dance had the audience on the edge of their seat until Mr. Tsou joined in again, bringing a graceful end to this truly exciting work.
Unfortunately, the bows at the end of the program were rather ragtag so that no one group got the applause they so deserved. This felt anti-climactic for the performers and the audience alike.
However, “Highways” is to be commended for bringing such diverse and high-level work to the stage. Here is a safe space where both the artists and the audience can take part in the pursuit of art.
The Lighting Design throughout was nicely done by Darren Carter. Artistic Director Patrick Kennelly curated this excellent show.
To learn more about Highways Performance Space, please visit their website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured images: Highways Week 2 of New Shoes 2025 – Cast of “WYRD” by Beth Huelsenbeck – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
