A mansion goes literary in Beverly Hills, a dozen dance companies gather to fight AIDS & Covid in West Adams, a trio of ballets including iconic Balanchine in Santa Monica, contemporary choreography in Long Beach, plus much more SoCal dance this week and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Who says he’s so great?
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated jazz age novel inspired choreographer Janet Roston to create The Great Gatsby as a dance theater work for her Mixed eMotion Theatrix.Thisoutdoor performance involves walking and the audience is encouraged to wear walking shoes and also to come in 1920’s attire. At Greystone Mansion, 455 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills; Wed.-Fri., April 27-29, 7pm, $15. http://beverlyhills.org/departments/communityservices/cityparks/greystonemansiongardens/gatsbyreduxatgreystone/web.jsp
Mixed eMotion Theatrix – “Gatsby Redux” for Los Angeles Music Center, Moves After Dark. Performed in the Blue Ribbon Garden of Disney Hall – Photo Credit: Barry Weiss
Three for one
Two important contemporary ballet talents and one certified legend provide the triptych of ballets in Los Angeles Ballet’s mixed bill under the banner Bloom. One of George Balanchine’s signature ballets, Apollo, with music by Igor Stravinsky is joined by the company premieres of Christopher Wheeldon’s Ghosts and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Bloom. The Saturday performance is tied to a gala and is already sold out, but two others to choose from. At The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Thurs.-Fri., April 21-22, 7:30pm, Sat., April 23, 5pm, $68-$114. https://www.losangelesballet.org/bloom
Los Angeles Ballet – Balanchine Black and White – Petra Conti, Jasmine Perry, Laura Chachich, with Tigran Sargsyan in APPOLLO – Photo by Los Angeles Ballet – Blanchine Black and White – AGON – Julianne Kinasiewicz with Jeongkon Kim and Magnus Christoffersen – Photo by Reed Hutchinson
So many choreographers
This 2022 Contemporary Dance Festival offers two different live programs, each showcasing work from nine choreographers. Each performance also has a streaming option. A complete list of choreographers and performances is at the website. At Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Thurs.-Fri., April 21-22, 8pm, Sat., April 23, 2 & 8pm, $20, $15 students, $15 livestream. https://www.csulb.edu/dance/article/2022-contemporary-dance-festival-april-21-23
CSULB Fall Dance Concert. Photo by Gregory RR Crosby.
Dancing for an important cause
Co-hosted by Vanessa Williams and Desmond Richardson, Dance for Life brings ten dance companies to the stage in a gala benefit to fight HIV, AIDS and Covid-19. Performing local companies include BrockusRed, BODYTRAFFIC, Jacob Jonas/The Company, L.A. Dance Project, Los Angeles Ballet, Lula Washington Dance Theater, Luminario Ballet, Lyrik Cruz Dance, Syncopated Ladies, and New York’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet currently touring SoCal. At Nate Holden Performing Arts Center Ebony Rep Theater, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., West Adams Sat., April 23, 2pm matinee, 7pm gala, $50-$1,000. https://www.danceforlife.info/ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-for-life-tickets-232427646347
LA Dance Festival’s BrockusRED. Photo by Denise Leitner.
And on their own
In addition to being part of Dance for Life, choreographer Dwight Rhoden and his Complexions Contemporary Ballet wind up their SoCal tour with Stardust, the choreographer’s tribute to pop star David Bowie and a work set to Bach’s music. At Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Fri., April 29, 8 pm, $30-$130. https://www.thebarclay.org/
Complexions Ballet Company. Photo by Hagos Rush.
A first look
Previewing a new work by founder Benjamin Millepied, LA Dance Project takes the stage with music by composer Andy Akin and a prelude by Caroline Shaw. Additional weekend performances are scheduled for June. 2-24. At LA Dance Project studios, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Thurs., April 21, $30, $10 30 years & under. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35353/production/1113077
LA Dance Project. Photo by Laurent-Philippe.
Venturing out
Making its debut at this venue, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance showcases its polished students performing works by acclaimed choreographers including Justin Peck, Ohad Naharin, Tessandra Chavez, Doug Varone, Achinta S McDaniel, and Toyin Sogunro. at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Thurs-Fri., April 21-22, 7:30pm, Sat., April 23, 3 & 7:30pm, $25-$55. https://thewallis.org/
Museum dancing
As part of its exhibition Poussin and the Dance, the Getty Center commissioned several notable LA choreographers to create dance films that respond to Poussin’s art. The results, Poussin Projected: Screening Contemporary Dance Films, are viewable online and the Poussin artworks are viewable in person until May 8. Exhibition at the Getty Center, Harold M Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; thru Sun., May 8. Dance films viewable at https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/poussin_dance/.
Chris Emile for “Poussin and the Dance.” Photo courtesy of the artists
The bugs have it
The world of insects is the topic as the incomparable Cirque du Soleil returns with OVO. Expect the signature combo of acrobats, dance, comedians and other daredeviltry at Microsoft Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Ct., downtown; thru May 1, various dates, times & prices at https://www.microsofttheater.com/events/detail/cirquedusoleilovo22
Studio to stage
Showcasing a line-up of LA-based artists over six weeks, this edition of REDCAT Studio includes DeLanna Studi (4/19-24), Tarrah Krajnak (4/26-5/1), and Christina Catherine Martinez (5/3-8). At REDCAT Gallery, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; thru Sun., May 8, free. https://www.redcat.org/exhibition/studio-2022
TAIKOPROJECT in “Arts Grown LA”. Photo courtesy of the artists
Dancers in the park, drummers in the library
LA-based dance, music, and drumming ensembles offer free performances at parks and libraries throughout LA in the Music Center’s Arts Grown LA. Performances include folkloric troupes, Taiko drummers, and more, continuing into June. A complete list of groups, venues, and performance details at https://www.musiccenter.org/experience-learn/experience-learn/for-all-ages/the-music-center-performing-artists-in-schools-communities/arts-grown-la/
A Peek at Next Week
Los Angeles Dance Festival Fringe Festival at Brockus Project Space, 618B Moulton Ave, Lincoln Heights; Sun., May 1, 6pm, https://ladancefest.org/
MOMIX in Alice at Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach, Sat., April 30, 8pm, $45. http://www.carpenterarts.org/
MOMIX – Alice – Photo courtesy of The Carpenter Center
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company at Frogtown Creative Studios, 2926 Gilroy Street, Atwater Village; Sat., April 30, 7pm, $25. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mashup-choreographic-residency-new-work-showcase-tickets-310181109047
joe: An Interdisciplinary Dance Performance at Japan American Cultural & Community Center, George J Doizaki Gallery, 244 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo; Sat., April 30, 1 & 7pm, https://www.jaccc.org/george-j-doizaki-gallery
City Ballet of Los Angeles at Brand Library & Art Gallery, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sun., May 1, 4pm, free. https://www.brandlibrary.org
Heidi Duckler Dance in Counter Intelligence: The Story of Sister Alyonushka and Brother Ivanushka. Online, May 1, 6pm, free (donations encouraged) with registration at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/counterintelligence-the-story-of-sister-alyonushka-and-brother-ivanushka-tickets-259626127737
Heidi Duckler Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists
Max 10 at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., May 2, 7:30pm, $10. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/may-max10-tickets-322879189347?mc_eid=588df6386f&mc_cid=cadfc81798
High Voltage at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., May 6, 8pm, $10.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/high-voltage-tickets-322890122047
Saturn Risin9 at The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; Sat., April 30, 2pm-5pm, free with timed entry at https://tickets.getty.edu/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=79DEA111-0A5B-463B-A2CB-EF0CD927DF11&menu_id=05C6A2BC-780F-40F5-85FF-309A5F
Featured Image: Los Angeles Ballet. Photo by Reed Hutchinson
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
