On April 25, 2026, “Bipedal Herd Dance” performed at the beautiful Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale. The evening was cool and misty giving an ethereal edge to the atmosphere and creating the perfect setting for choreographer Holly Rothschilds’ “other worldly” installation “Temperature Drop.” This annual spring series is skillfully curated by teacher, choreographer, producer, Jamie Nichols in an effort to bring site-specific work to non-traditional spaces and dance to the people.
Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
Holly Rothschild, known for her work in expressive and artful exploration creatively used the long rectangular space to the benefit of her choreography. The audience was seated on three sides while composer/musician Luke Rothschild accompanied the dancers from a riser situated on the 4th wall thus, entirely surrounding the space. This was effective in bringing the work up close and personal. To begin a lone dancer took a seat quietly center stage as Jamie Nichols welcomed the crowd, a harbinger of thoughtful movement to come. Introduction finished, the show began in earnest with energetic yet breezy music bringing the dancers to their feet. Ms. Rothschilds’ style is free flowing with classical jazz and modern elements all executed nicely by the performers. Three dancers wear long gray dresses while three wear beige pants and soft cream tops all of which flatter the dancer and the movement. Constantly flowing and enjoyable to watch, the performers move easily through clean solos, duos, trios and quartets. While floor work and rhythmic interludes emerge unexpectedly with focused energy.
Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
At one point a book is brought into the fold with loose pages that eventually drop to the floor. I thought there might be a connection to the library space or somehow connect to the poetry of dance but this concluded with no real meaning. Later Rothschild mentioned that this was an idea that went from something concrete to improvisation and in so doing I believe it lost its’ potency. This is an idea worth rethinking. Another idea that almost works is the utilization of a microphone to amplify or enhance the sounds created by the body in movement. A hint of a poem or reading was also spoken but again, this felt overly improvised and while interesting it needs refinement.
Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
At various points Rothschild used six black chairs as props and though it is an often over utilized trope, she made their use interesting and unique, almost another character. The music contributed greatly to the overall pleasure of much of the dancing by underscoring lightly but with exacting effect. Lyrical combinations, slo-mo movement, an interesting lift section with three men and one female dancer and an up-tempo syncopated section all worked well as executed by the capable dancers.
Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Musician: Luke Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
The highlight of the evening was the soothing sounds of Nat King Cole singing the unforgettably beautiful “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael. The unison movement of the dancers brought the power of the melody to shimmering life which was sadly dissipated when they again fell into improvisation. Rothschild is a gifted choreographer and should not hold back on her ideas and fall into the trap of too much improvisation which dilutes the work. Still with such a lovely tune filling the room it was a wonderfully nostalgic way to end a lovely hour of dance.
Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
The dancers worked with dedication and evident joy which transferred to us, the viewers. They were, Emma Cotton, Kimberly Davagian, Lavinia Findikoglu, Marco Palomino, Alejandro Perez, Julio Ceasar Rivera, and Mélissa Guérin-Torres.
Original Music: Luke Rothschild and String Theory, AGF, Christina Vantzou and Nat King Cole.
Thank you to The Brand Library and Jamie Nichols for bringing dance to the community and supporting the arts in this much appreciated way. I for one will be back to see what new work will be on offer.
Next on Dance at the Brand, May 2 Saturday, May 2 @ 6pm Celeste Lanuza Dance Theater; Saturday, May 9 @ 6pm Deborah Rosen and Dancers; and Saturday, May 16 @ 6pm LA Swing Dance Posse. Admission is FREE.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Bipedal Herd Dance – Choreography by Holly Rothschild – Photo by Jamie Nichols.
