Before the Book Is Banned

Literature inspired dance in Pasadena, a Sondheim musical sashays into downtown, a dancer/photographer exhibits in Leimert Park, plus a peek at next week and Covid updates.

Live Dance

(Note: as of press time, these events are live, but as Omicron does its thing, theaters are pivoting, postponing, and cancelling in response. Check with the venue for the latest)

Dancing through the pages

Known for its penchant for storytelling, this live performance from Nancy Evans Dance Theatre takes inspiration from literature in Figures of Speech. Contributing new works are company Artistic director Nancy Evans Doede, Joan Fricke, and Andrea Ordaz contribute new works in a program that includes repertoire favorites from Katrina Amerine, Karina Francis, and Jen Hunter, at ARC, 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Sun., Feb. 20, 4pm, $20. Info, tickets, & Covid protocols at http://www.nancyevansdancetheatre.com/store/fos22

Nancy Evans Dance Theatre. Photo courtesy of the artists

From the page to the stage

Dancers from the contemporary company Lineage Dance join actors in Curiosity Tales, a family-friendly retelling of familiar storybook characters and their adventures. At Lineage, 920 E. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., Feb. 13, March 6 & 13, 4 p.m., $40, $20 students & seniors. Info, tickets, & Covid protocols at https://lineagedance.secure.force.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F3o00000pgqxFEAQ

Lineage Dance’s “Curiosity Tales” Photo courtesy of the artists

Best chance for every day dance

Continuing its acquisition and exhibition of the work of post modern choreographers, the Getty Research Institute last fall unveiled the first-ever retrospective of the work of choreographer and video artist Blondell Cummings: Dance as Moving Pictures. The exhibition closes this week. Known for translating everyday activities into dance movements, Cummings’ postmodern oeuvre often focuses on food, family, major life events, and daily life rituals, especially Black life. Initiated as part of the GRI’s African American Art History Initiative, the exhibit includes videos, interviews, and photographs. On view at Art+Practice, 3401 W. 43rd Pl., Leimert Park; Wed.-Sat., noon-6 pm, to Feb. 19, 2022, free. Research guide at https://getty.libguides.com/BlondellCummings, Info, tickets, & Covid protocols at https://artandpractice.org/exhibitions/exhibition/dance-as-moving-pictures/

Photo by Blondell Cummings.

Grab a gun, take a shot

A motley band of presidential assassins sashay across history in Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s piercing musical Assassins. Choreographers Preston Mui and Jasmine Rafael aided director Snehal Desai as movement directors. East West Players, 1220 Judge John Also St., Little Tokyo; opens Thurs., Feb. 17, 8pm, then mostly Thurs.-Sat., 8pm, Sat., 2pm, Sun., 5pm, $25-$75. Mon., Feb. 21, is pay what you can. Details, tickets and Covid protocols at https://eastwestplayers.org.

Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins.” Photo courtesy of East West Players.

A Peek at Next Week

(Note: Details, tickets, & Covid protocols at websites)

BALLET BC at The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordoff St., Northridge; Sat., Feb. 26, 8pm, $41-$86. https://thesoraya.org/

Benita Bike’s DanceArt at Discovery Cube Los Angeles, 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar; Sat., Feb. 26 & 27, 2pm, free with registration at http://danceart.org/schedule.html Other events in the Science of Dance weekend at https://www.discoverycube.org/event/la-science-of-dance-weeekend/2022-02-26/

Benita Bike’s DanceArt. Photo by Elazar Harel

Maybin Hewes’ This Joint Is Jumpin’ at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Hollywood; Sat., Feb. 26, & March 5, 7pm, Sun., Feb. 27 & March 6, 2pm, $35. (323) 851-7977. https://theatrewest.org/on-stage/this-joint-is-jumpin

Versa-Style Dance in Color in Dance at Verdugo Park, 1621 Canada Blvd., Glendale; Sat., Feb. 26, 1-5pm, free.https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYocsJLHCY/?utm_medium=copy_link

Versa-Style Dance Company – Photo courtesy of The Ford Theatres.

Covid Updates

Postponed to March

As the Covid public health emergency shuttered theaters for live performance over the past two years, the world of dance film, video and streamed performances has flourished. Long before Covid, filmed dance was the specialty of LA-based Dance Camera West, recognized as one of the premiere dance film showcases. DCW’s 20th anniversary edition was to earlier this month with more than 75 films lined up for a dozen programs at two venues. Out of caution and safety concerns with the current surge in Covid cases, DCW postponed the festival to late March. Stay tuned or find details on the new schedule at http://www.dancecamerawest.org/.