Live Performance This Week (ending September 3)
A food truck with a dance menu in Burbank; new collaborative contemporary in Frogtown, El Sereno, and Santa Monica; South Asian stories danced in Sierra Madre; murder mystery with dance clues in San Pedro; new puppetry in Eagle Rock; more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at next week.
Coming together
Unlike visual artists or composers who can create alone, a choreographer needs dancers, bodies that move and brains that extrapolate. Choreographic residencies such as the one sponsored by MashUp Contemporary Dance Company help fill those needs. Since her selection this year, Katherine Helen Fisher has had the space, the time and the dancers to create. The result of the process is Ecstatic Resistance, blending dance, live music, and real time AI photography. At the Pickle Factory, 2926 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Aug. 29, 8 pm, Sun., Aug. 30, 3 pm, $25. MashUp Contemporary Dance Company.
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Practice to performance
Nonstop is Janine Durning’s signature movement practice. Among the innovative dance efforts during the pandemic lockdown, she connected with Heidi Brewer, Clare Croft, Andee Scott, and Mary Williford-Shade in what initially was sharing Durning’s practice and over time, evolved. Despite being in three different states and two countries, the result became a performance piece that now debuts as 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.
Janine Durning. Photo by Ricardo E Adame.
Telling tales
In this venue’s latest family-friendly program, The Dancing Storytellers bring three famous folk tales to life in Indian Mythology and Me. The tales include a mouse who matches wits with an elephant queen, a goddess who prevails over a demon, and a meeting that reveals true strength is not just physical. At the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Sat., Aug. 29, 11 am, $20. Dancing Storytellers.
Dancing Storytellers. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Open door policy
Choreography joins magical realism, ritual, prop work, and Mexican line dancing in Los Portales as “SER” Migratory Artist Collective explores queer visibility and love for LA. At Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 28-29, 8 pm, $25, $20 students/seniors. Highways
Shag With a Twist. Photo by J. Hill Photo.
Shag on over
Dancers who know their stuff are a big part of the musical Shag with a Twist. Led by Shag (Josh Agle), a Tupperware party in the 1960s becomes the scene of the murder, a mystery that must be solved amid the pupu platters and bouffant hair styles. Guests are encouraged to come in their best ‘mod’ fashion and enjoy the fun. At the Grand Annex Music Hall, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro; Sat., Aug. 29, Sept. 26, & Oct. 3, 8 pm, $55-$65.87. Shag with a Twist.
Ordering off menu
Tired of the same old food truck choices? Try ¡ORDENA! The site-specific dancers and performers of Heidi Duckler Dance inject new menu flavors to transform a food cart into an invitation to order a dish of dance. At Truck Friday, 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.
Heidi Duckler Dance. 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.
Lit by LED
Don’t expect the three act Petipa ballet as Ballet of Lights brings dancers draped in LED lights to perform its version of Sleeping Beauty. The website lacks info on choreographers or dancers. 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.
A Peek at Next Week (September 4-10)
Los Angeles Ballet with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood; Tues., Sept. 8, 8 pm, $12-$178. LA Phil with LA Ballet
Ballet X at Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange; Fri., Sept. 4, 7:30 pm, $38-$58. Ballet X
Ballet Folklorico Ollin – ¡Viva La Tradición! at the Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Sept. 5, 8 pm, $56-$113. The Ford Theater
Dance News of Note
Rhapsody in Taps The SoCal tap troupe led by Linda Sohl-Ellison presents RHAPSODY IN TAPS, The First 35 Years! Video Anthology in four different two-hour screenings at Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre, Cal State University Long Beach on Tues., Sept. 1 & 8, Oct. 13 & 27. Rhapsody in Taps
Feature image: MashUp Contemporary Dance Company – Photo courtesy of the artists.
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
