Ignition

New contemporary dance bursts out in the LA Arts District, Echo Park, Hawthorne, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA; traditional Korean dancers visit in East LA; Dia di Los Muertos sashays into East LA; World dance in Santa Monica and Dominguez Hills; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at what else is coming in November.

Live Performance This Week (ending November 12)

Stephanie Dai in her solo “URETCHKO” – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.

5-4-3-2-1

Now in its fifth year, LA Dance Project’s Launch:LA is provides two local contemporary choreographers with a three week residency that includes studio space, production resources, and financial support to develop new work, plus an open rehearsal and performances. This year’s residents, Milka Djordjevich and Stephanie Dai, are both adventurous choreographers, frequently employing interdisciplinary forms beyond just dance. During the residency, Djordjevich went in the direction of dance theater for Triangle Dance, a square dance inside a triangle supported by live music by Max Jaffe. Dai followed up her URETCHKO that premiered at Highways in Santa Monica, then traveled to South Korea for the International Modern Dance Festival. Dai’s dancers are Anne Kim, Valerie Chen, and Emmy Cheung, backed by music by Noah Rubin. The residency results receive three days of performance, with the higher priced Saturday show part of Le Rendez-Vous 2026, a LADP fundraiser that includes a pre-show dinner, the full Launch:LA program, followed by a DJ and dancing. At LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Fri., Nov., 6, 8 pm, Sun., Nov., 8, 2 & 6 pm, $30, $25 seniors/students, Launch: LA. Sat., Nov. 7, (Le Rendez-Vous 2026), 7 pm, $150-$500. Launch + Les Rendez-Vous.

Milka Djordjevich in Santa Ana Sites. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Propitious partnering

Traditional Korean dance and live music take center stage in Korean Soundscape: The Pulse of Gugak. The dancers are from the Seoul-based National Gugak Center, known as the premiere institution for Korean performing arts. With its large Korean and Korean-American population, LA has a number of local groups dedicated to traditional Korean dance and music. This special performance bringing celebrated artists from Korea, is presented free through a partnership with the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA) and the venue. At Luckman Fine Arts Center, Cal State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr., East LA; Sat., Nov. 7, 6 pm, free with RSVP at Korean Soundscape

National Gugak Center. Photo courtesy of the artists.

New and now

Threaded through all three weeks of the REDCAT New Original Works (NOW) Festival, adventurous dance starts with the duo Alfonso Abraham Cervera and Irvin Manuel Gonzalez exploring Latinx nightlife and “cuir/queer Mexicanidades” in las cosas que enter(r)amos (things we bury). In recent years, the pair have established a track record in their own right, after starting as half of the inventive collective Primera Generación Dance Collective. Also sharing the Week One stage, Korean music from Jeonghyeon Joo and comedic satire from Scottie Harvey. With its focus on LA-based artists, the festival’s curated sampling is a valuable sampling of the spectrum of LA arts, now. At REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., DowntownLA; Thur.-Sat., Nov. 5-7, 8 pm, streamed on Sat., $25+$2 fee. NOW Week 1

Alfonso Abraham Cervera and Irvin Manuel Gonzalez. Photo by John Landry.

More new and now

Dance also weaves its way through all three performances in Week Two of REDCAT New Original Works (NOW) Festival. In Muñequita Muy Muy, Brenda Barrios employes dance, life-size dolls, and live musicians. Dancer Gretchen Ackerman embodies Cody Perkins’ choreographic exploration of technology and intimacy in Motherboard. For REGENESIS, Megan Paradowski enlists dancers for her choreography set to original music for cello and electronics. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., DowntownLA; Thur.-Sat., Nov. 12-14, 8 pm, streamed on Sat., $25+$2 fee. NOW Week 2

Simulacra Megan Paradowski – Photo by Skye Schmidt Varga for L.A. Dance Project, LAUNCH LA 2025

World of wet and wonder

Once an industrial factory, now a performance venue, this time with an event that integrates dancers with a large scale installation and film in Charissa Kroeger’s exploration of the wet and mysterious world of FISH. At KUNSTHAUS at Bruder Toys, 4950 W 145th St. Hawthorne, Sat.-Sun., Nov. 7-8, 8:30 pm, $45.38-$57.83 (includes fees & parking). FISH

Charissa Kroeger. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Walkabout encouraged

Continuing a series of pop-up events inside untraditional venues like sound stages and warehouses, Jacob Jonas The Company returns with Sky. If similar to prior occasions, the venue is structured as an art gallery with the audience free to watch the dancing or stroll about the facility over the course of the evening. At Occidental Studios, address provided with ticket, Echo Park; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7, 8 pm, $57.75. Jacob Jonas The Company.

Jacob Jonas The Company – Full cast of COYOTE FOX WOLF DRAGONFLY BUTTERFLY BEE EAGLE RAVEN HAWK by Jacob Jonas – Photo by Dylan Schwartz.

Evolving points of view

Exploring how story-telling can enhance understanding of changing circumstances, Chelsea Asman and Cihtli Ocampo direct CSU Dominguez Hills Theatre & Dance department’s Faculty/Guest Dance Concert. Under the banner Parallax, choreography from guest artists Fernando Carrillo and David Bernal-Fuentes join contemporary dance works from the CSUDH faculty. University Theatre, Cal State University Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson; Thurs.-Fri., Nov. 12-13, Sat., Nov. 14, 1 & 7 pm, $20, $12 students. Parallax.

Cal State University Dominguez Hills Faculty Dance Concert. Photo by Nate Lubben.

Passports not needed

Travel the world as Santa Monica College’s Global Motion World Dance Company presents traditional and contemporary World dance styles, including West African, Mexican folklórico, contemporary ballet, and salsa. Guest artists Christopher Martinez and Liam Gifkins contribute choreography along with faculty and students. At the BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat.-Sun., Nov. 7-8, 7:30 pm, $20 in advance, $25 at door. Global Motion World Dance.

Global Motion Dance Company. Photo courtesy of the artists.

Climate, what climate?

Dance drama, whimsy, and live jazz are all employed in ALGAE: Love Stories for a Warming World as Madeline Elaine and Lizzie Esses seek joy and connection in the climate apocalypse. At Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7, 8 pm, 20-25. Madeline Elaine & Lizzie Esses.

ROOTS AND BRANCHES – Nancy Evans Dance Theatre – (L-R) Karina Amerine, Jenn Logan, Ashleigh Doede in Don Martin’s “Odes” (2002) – Photo by AyameFoto

Literally

Words, live jazz, and the dance they inspire take the stage as Nancy Evans Dance Theatre offers Figures of Speech 2026. At the Aerial House, 5230 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; Sat., Nov. 7, 8 pm, $30, $25 students/seniors. Nancy Evans Dance Theatre

A haunted holiday

Halloween may have passed, but there’s still time for Danza Floricanto/USA to transform its performance space into an ofrenda and cemetery to commemorate Fiesta del Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead Fiesta). This highly respected folkloric company established by founder Gema Sandoval and now directed by her daughter Christine Rios, continues its popular rendition of the holiday tradition. The family friendly event provides entertainment and humor along with commentary on contemporary community issues. At Floricanto Center for the Performing Arts/ Casa del Mexicano, 2900 Casa Pedro Enfante, East LA; Sat., Nov. 7, 8 pm, Sun., Nov. 8, 6 pm, 15-30 presale, $20 at door, $10 children 10 and under. Danza Floricanto.

Danza Floricanto/USA. Photo by Frank Sandoval.

What about Wichita?

A performance by Billy Jones in Street Wichita K highlights the final day of the two day Juchéti Uarhán Dance Festival that includes workshops and a dance battle. Details at the website. At Art Share LA, 801 E. 4th Pl., Downtown LA Arts District; performance Sun., Nov. 8, 1:30 pm, dance battle at 2 pm, $18 (spectator), $20 (battle participant/worshops). Art Share

(November 13-19)

Home LA – Mourning Home: Collective Futures in Los Angeles at the Thomas Mann House, 1550 San Remo Dr., Pacific Palisades; Sun., Nov. 15, 3 pm, RSVP at Home LA.

Arpana Dance Company – Living Landscapes at USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena; Thurs.-Fri., Nov. 19-20, 7:30 pm, free w/reservation Living Landscapes.

Santa Monica College Synapse Dance Theater at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 14-15, 7:30 pm, $20 in advance, $25 at door. Synapse Dance Theater.

Palm Desert Choreography Festival at the McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert; Sat., Nov. 14, 7 pm, 34-69 (professionals), Sun., Nov. 15, 4 pm, $29-$64 (local and student choreography). Palm Desert Choreography Festival.

Dance Theatre of Harlem – Higher Ground at the Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Ave., Northridge; Sat., Nov. 14, 8 pm, $56-$74. https://thesoraya.org/en/whats-on/genres/dance/.

Friidom, Tarren Johnson – REDCAT NOW Week 3 at REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., Downtown LA; Thur.-Sat., Nov. 19-21, 8 pm, $25+$2 fee. REDCAT NOW Week 3.

Sankai Juku – Totem: Void and Height at the Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30 pm, $20-$100. https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/.

Heidi Duckler Dance – ¡Ordena! Santa Monica at Santa Monica Block Fest, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica; Sat., Nov. 14, 7:30 to 9:30 pm, free. Heidi Duckler Dance

Camille Hernandez – Motherlands at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, Sun., Nov. 15, 4 pm, $20. Camille Hernandez.

Leigh Purtill Ballet – Cracked, Nutcracker with a Twist at Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Ave., La Canada/Flintridge; Sat., Nov. 14, 7 pm, Sun., Nov. 15, 4 pm, $44.52, $28.52 students, $23.18 children under 12 (includes fees). Leigh Purtill Ballet.

Derek Hough – Dance for the Holidays at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos; Sat., Nov. 14, 8 pm, $117-$588. Cerritos Center.

Doug Varone and Dancers at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Sat., Nov. 14, 2 & 7 pm, $20-$75. https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/.

Doug Varone & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists.

(November 20-30)

Diavolo – Escape at the Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Ave., Northridge; Sat., Nov. 21, 8 pm, Sun., Nov. 22, 3 pm, $42-$99 (includes fees). https://thesoraya.org/en/whats-on/genres/dance/.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan – Blue Hour / Beckoning: A Double Bill at UCLA, Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Westwood; Sat., Nov. 21, 8 pm, $45.08-$72.02. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan.