Flamenco trifecta in Silverlake, Santa Barbara & Hollywood; samba swivels downtown, Kabuki’s rowdy cousin in Little Tokyo, Japanese folk dance in Gardena; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Forever-ing
Over three decades, Deborah Culver Lawlor was lauded for incubating Tony-award winning theater as the Fountain Theatre’s co-artistic director with Stephen Sachs. During those 30 years, Lawlor indulged in a secret passion, mostly once a month, when the 80 seat theater hosted Forever Flamenco. Lawlor curated the series behind the scenes as artistic direction of each show moved among a roster of LA’s flamenco notables who brought in local and visiting flamenco-istas for an evening of live dance and music. With Lawlor’s death last year and Sach’s announced retirement, the fate of the flamenco series was bleak until the recent announcement that Forever Flamenco will return with weekly shows throughout August in honor of Lawlor and her legacy. The opener, Amor (Love) boasts dancer/singer Reyes Barrios in the artistic director slot along with dancers Yaelisa and Rocio Carrera, singer Antonio de Jerez, guitarist Antonio Triana, and violinist David Morales Boroff. After August is up in the air, but at this moment, Forever Flamenco is for now. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Silverlake; Sat., Aug. 3, 8 pm, $40-$50, $35 seniors, $25 students. https://www.fountaintheatre.com/
Reyes Barrios with Forever Flamenco. Photo courtesy of the artist
Tango v. flamenco
The hills will resound with tango and flamenco as Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana joins the LA Phil for the flamenco portion of About Symphonic Tango & Flamenco, conducted by François López-Ferrer. Emilio Ochando provided the choreography for this event. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; Thurs., Aug. 8, 8 pm., $13-$142. https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. Photo courtesy of the artist
Silver flamenco
For its 25th anniversary, Santa Barbara’s Flamenco Arts Festival surrounds the central performance with celebratory pre- and post-concert events. The centerpiece is Compañía Mercedes de Córdoba in the National Flamenco Award-winning Ser..ni conmigo ni sin mí (Being..neither with me nor without me). The website has ticket information for the reception and after-concert party. Lobrero Theater, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Fri., Aug. 2, 7:30 pm, $51-$151. https://flamencoarts.org/events
Compania Mercedes de Córdoba. Photo by Ana Palma
They RSVP’d
The Japanese art form Taishu Engek has been described as a lighter version of Japanese kabuki, the way musical theater in the West is a lighter version of European grand opera. One of Japan’s pre-eminent Taishu Engek performers, Makoto Matsui arrives with his company for one performance dubbed Arigato Little Tokyo (Thank You Little Tokyo). The Makoto Matsui & Company last performed here in 2015. This return performance was initiated by an invitation from Emmy-award make up artist Kaori Nara. Aratani Theatre, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo; Sun., Aug. 4, 2 pm, $35. ArigatoLittleTokyo@gmail.com.
Makoto Matsui & Company. Photo courtesy of the artists
Festival folk dance
Somewhat reminiscent of Mexico’s Day of the Dead event in November, the Japanese Buddhist Obon Festival honors ancestral spirits and pays respect to the dead. SoCal Buddhist temples celebrate on various dates this summer, providing multiple opportunities to view Japanese folk dancing. This week, a Gardena temple hosts its Obon Festival with folk dancing plus taiko drumming, games, food, and some ceremonial moments. Gardena Buddhist Church, 1517 W. 166th Street, Gardena; Sat.-Sun., Aug. 3-4, 6-8 pm. free admission, food and some activities are ticketed. https://www.gardenabuddhistchurch.org/
Dance DTLA Samba. Photo courtesy of the Music Center
Summer dancing
Part performance, part participatory event, the free, al fresco summer series Dance DTLA continues this week with Samba. A beginner/refresher lesson at 7 pm is followed by a chance to dance or just watch and enjoy until 11 pm. If this week is not your style, the full line up of upcoming dance options is at the website. Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., Aug. 2, 7 pm, free. Music Center | Dance DTLA
All Electric
For the August edition of High Voltage, this mostly monthly event swaps out its usual live performance for four short films, one involves interpretive dance. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., Aug. 2, 8 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/
Max 10. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Ten for ten
The mostly monthly program Max 10 gives ten performers ten minutes each onstage. Hosted by venue director Joel Shapiro and curated by the staff, dance is a mainstay in the line up of performances. A post-show reception gives a chance to chat with the artists. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., Aug. 5, 7:30 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/
A Peek at Next Week (August 9 to 15)
Mix Match Dance Festival at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 9-10, 7 pm, Sun., Aug. 11, 2 pm, $20. https://www.hartpulsedance.com/
Forever Flamenco – Camino, Caminas at The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Silverlake; Sat., Aug. 10, 8 pm, $40-$50, $35 seniors, $25 students. https://www.fountaintheatre.com/
Timo Nuñez in “Flamenco Under the Stars.” Photo courtesy of the artist
Bill T. Jones/Saul Williams – The Motherboard Suite at The Ford Theatre, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Fri., Aug. 9, 8 pm, $25-$55. https://www.theford.com/
Kenneth Walker Dance Project at Westside Ballet, 1709 Stewart St., Santa Monica; Sat., Aug. 10, 7:30 pm, $20. https://bit.ly/KWDPatWestside
Dance DTLA – Hip Hop at the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., Aug. 9, 7 pm, free. Music Center | Dance DTLA
Featured photo Mercedes de Córdoba – photo courtesy of the artist.
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
