Legacy ballet centennial celebration in Santa Monica; a puppet debut after 40 years in Eagle Rock; Mexico’s African influences in the Hollywood Hills; LA-based Butoh master teams with Bay area vocalist in Venice; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at next week.
Live Performance This Week (ending August 27)
Party en pointe
Before he built his reputation in LA’s ballet world for his work in film and television, for teaching, and as artistic director of Pacific Ballet Theatre for three decades, Andrei (Bill) Tremaine danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, following in the footsteps of his mother Elena Wortova, who danced with the original Ballet Russes led by Sergei Diaghilev. As Tremaine turns 100, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre celebrates with A Ballet Russe Gala Centennial. The special evening boasts ballets drawn from the Ballet Russe era, including excerpts from Raymonda, Gaîté Parisienne, Firebird, Scherezade, and The Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor. The event holds special meaning since Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre’s longtime artistic director, Natasha Middleton, is Tremaine’s daughter, continuing the family’s deep ballet legacy. At the BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sun. Aug. 23, 5:30 pm, $71.21-$108.55 (includes fees). Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre.
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre in “Carmen.” Photo by Cheryl Mann.
NorCal/SoCal meet up
Two thoughtful, mesmerizing performers — Bay Area-based poet and mover Aine Nakamura and LA’s Butoh master Oguri–explore the potentialities combining words, voice and body in Koto Koto … Kara (da) Kara. Set in a Venice art gallery, this single performance is free, but be aware seating is limited and first come, first serve. At ARCANE Space, 324 Sunset Ave., Unit G, Venice; Fri., Aug. 21, 7:30 pm, free. info.arcanespace@gmail.com.
Oguri. Photo by Moses Hacmon.
Music moves
Under the title Demure Asian Rage, Leanna Keith & Yeeman “ManMan” Mu employ music and movement to improvisationally explore what lies beyond emotional reactions to their Asian experience. At Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 21-22, 8 pm. $25, $20 students/seniors. Highways.
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists.
All the folk
The African diaspora’s contributions to Mexican culture are celebrated as Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet is joined by Souly Dance Arts in Tercera Raíz (Third Root). Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando provides musical support for the dancing. At the Ford, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Fri., Aug. 21, 8 pm, $75-$102. The Ford.
Souly Dance Arts. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Tracking
Its puppet-driven version of the Nutcracker is a SoCal holiday staple, and its other family-friendly repertoire continues to charm each generation, but now, Bob Baker Marionette Theater has a premiere, its first addition in 40 years. The train-themed production, Choo Choo Revue boasts 100 new, handcrafted puppets and 21st century technology, including projections thanks to equipment donated by the LA Opera. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Eagle Rock; Thurs., 10:30 am, Fri., 10:30 am, 7:30 pm, Sat., 10:30 am, 1:30 & 7:30 pm, Sun., 10:30 am & 1:30 pm, thru Sun., Aug. 30, $25 (+3 fee). Choo Choo Revue.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater – Photo by Winona Bechtle.
A Peek at Next Week (August 28 -September 3)
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company – Katherine Helen Fisher Residency Showcase at the Pickle Factory, 2926 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Aug. 29, 8 pm, Sun., Aug. 30, 3 pm., $25. MashUp Contemporary Dance Company Janine Durning – The Invitation Situation at the Stomping Ground L.A./ 5453 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 28-29, 8 pm, Sun., Aug. 30, 2 pm, $15-$30. The Invitation Situation.
The Dancing Storytellers – Indian Mythology and Me at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Sat., Aug. 29, 11 am, $20. Dancing Storytellers .
Shag With a Twist. Photo by J. Hill Photo.
Shag with a Twist at the Grand Annex Music Hall, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro; Sat., Aug. 29, Sept. 26, & Oct. 3, 8 pm, $55.20-$65.87. Shag with a Twist.
Heidi Duckler Dance – ¡ORDENA! Burbank at Magnolia Park, West Magnolia Blvd, between N. Hollywood Way and N. Catalina St., Burbank; Fri., Aug. 28, 6:15 & 7:15 pm, free w/reservation at Heidi Duckler Dance Ordena Burbank.
Ballet of Lights – Sleeping Beauty at the BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat., Aug. 29, Sun., Sept. 13, Sun., Oct. 4, 4 & 6 pm, $43-$69. Ballet of Lights.
Featured image: Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre in Gayan. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
