LA dance celebrates in Lincoln Heights and North Hollywood festivals, South Asian dance pops up at Venice Beach and around the Westside; a hip hop battle in Burbank; new contemporary dance in the Arts District, percussive performance against the Glendale hills, contemporary ballet in Santa Monica, French visitors in West LA, more So Cal dance this week, and a peek at next week (May 3 to 9).
Live This Week
One for the home team
This weekend, the 2024 LA Dance Festival opens with LA Dance Chronicle’s co-founder/editor/publisher Jeff Slayton receiving the festival’s Lifetime Service to the Field Award. Slayton’s five decade career began as a dancer with Merce Cunningham and then Viola Farber, then teaching, choreographing, and directing his SoCal-based Jeff Slayton & Dancers, before establishing LA Dance Chronicle to respond to the dearth of dance reviews and coverage. After the presentation, Friday’s performance includes SoCal companies MashUP Dance Company, Gretchin Ackerman, Akomi Dance, Kybele Dance Theatre, Celeste Lanuza Dance Theater, Charlotte Katherine & Dancers, and festival host BrockusRED. On Saturday, festival founder and producer Deborah Brockus receives her own tribute as the evening performance BALANCE draws from her long dancemaking career for her own company BrockusRED. Info on free classes, workshops, and other free and ticketed events in the three-day festival are detailed at the ticket link. Brockus Project Studios, 618 B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri., April 26, 8 pm, $15, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angeles-dance-festival-2024-tickets-885945365437 Sat., April 27, 7 pm, $16. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/balance-tickets-885966759427
BrockusRED – Mara Hancock, Hannah Joo, Stephanie Mizrahi, Julienne Mackey in JONAH – Photo by Denise Leitner
New for spring
Two different programs, each with a work by Janie Taylor and two from artistic director Benjamin Millepied are part of LA Dance Project’s Spring Dances. Both programs include Millepied’s newest Me, You, We, They, set to music by his frequent collaborator Nico Muhly. Both programs also include the premiere of Taylor’s Sleepwalker’s Encyclopedia with a set from artist Ben Styer. Millepied’s Moving Parts completes Program A, alternating with Triade in Program B. LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Program A – Thurs., May 2, Fri., May 8, & Sat., May 11, 8 pm, Sat., May 4, 4 pm, Sun., May 12, 1 pm. Program B – Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, 8 pm, Sun., May 5, 1 pm, Sat., May 11, 4 pm, Sun., May 12, 5 pm, $45, $30 students & seniors. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35353/production/1193578.
Los Angeles Dance Project. Photo courtesy of the artists
Crossing the LINES
Led by its namesake choreographer, San Francisco’s Alonzo King LINES Ballet brings its contemporary brand of ballet in Deep River. Set to spiritual music compositions from Black and Jewish traditions plus original compositions by Jason Moran, the work has drawn high praise since its 2022 debut. The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara: Fri., April 26, 8 pm, $41-$106. https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events-tickets/events/23-24/alonzo-king-lines-ballet/
Adji Cissoko and Robb Beresford in LIGHTENED – Alonzo King LINES Ballet – Photo by RJ Muna
With a few invited friends
With Poetry in Motion, Hollywood Ballet offers a performance followed by its 2024 gala dinner. In addition to artistic directors Petra Conti and Eris Nezha, the former La Scala, Boston Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet principal dancers have invited several friends to perform, including international ballet dancers Ana Sophia Scheller, Myrna Kamara, Tigran Mkrtchyan and Alexander Maryianowski. The announced program includes classical selections from Le Corsaire and La Bayadere, Balanchine’s Gershwin homage Who Cares? plus contemporary works. The BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat., April 27, 7 pm; $69-$89 (performance only), $350 and up for post-performance gala). https://www.hollywoodballet.org/poetryinmotion
Hollywood Ballet’s Petra Conti. Photo by Costin Radu
Body tapping
The always-welcome spring series at this scenic venue in the San Gabriel foothills opens with DrumatiX bringing together tap dance and bodydrumming with drumming using found items and invented instruments. Led by Noa Barankin, the bi-coastal ensemble’s performances include rhythmic historical dance references and global rhythms. Curated by Jamie Nichols who draws on her deep history with SoCal dance, the series is a proven platform for local dance. Brand Library & Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., April 27, 5 pm, free. https://www.brandlibrary.org/dance-series
DrumatiX. Photo courtesy of the artists
Honoring Bella
Under the banner EMPOWERMENT: Maxine + Bella, this weekend festival includes performances, workshops and documentary screenings honoring the late Bella Lewitzky (The documentary Bella screens Sunday at 2 pm) and American born Chinese writer/educator Maxine Hong Kingston. Festival sponsor, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, commissioned dance and spoken word works by Bernard Brown, Mona Jean Cedar, Chris Emile, Caitlin Javech, Ibuki Kauramochi, Genna Moroni, Siwaraya Rochanahusdin, and Tracy Silver that pay tribute to the honorees. A full list of performances, screenings, workshops and other events is at https://culture.lacity.gov/event/empowerment-maxine-bella-at-dcas-lankershim-arts-center/2024-04-26/. Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood Arts District; Fri. & Sat., April 26 & 27, 8 pm, Sun., April 28, 6 pm, free to $1. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6285707
Bella Lewitzky. Photo courtesy of the documentary film “Bella”
Go another round
Round two of the qualifying battles for Versa Style Dance Company‘s 2024 festival is 1vs1 Popping Dance Battle. A workshop at 6:30 pm precedes the dance battle. Mihran K. Studios, 135 N. Victory Blvd., Burbank; Fri., April 26, 8:30 pm, battle or watch $15, workshop at 6:30 pm $20, both $30. https://versastyledance.org/
Versa-Style Dance Company – Photo courtesy of The Ford Theatres.
French plumes
Set against a fantastical, dreamlike backdrop, France’s Compagnie Pyramid brings Sous le poids des plumes” (Beneath the weight of feathers). The work launches four hip-hop dancers in a series of sketches where different memories of life collide amid mime, hip-hop, and physical theater. Fouad Kouchy is the choreographer. Yann Crayssac, Mounir Kerfah, Benjamin Midonet, Mounir Touaa are the dancers. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; Wed., May 1, 8 pm, $35. https://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/upcomingevents/2024/5/1/sous-le-poids-des-plumes
Compagnie Pyramid. Photo courtesy of the artists
Winning a prince
Watch for the slipper to fit as Inland Pacific Ballet brings Cinderella to the stage complete with the mistreated heroine, her wicked stepsisters, malevolent stepmother, fairy godmother with her fairy entourage, and a persistent prince. Kelsey Dorr from Boston Ballet guests with dancers from the respected training academy. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga; Sat. & Sun., April 27 & 28, 11:30 pm & 4 pm, $55-$79, $28-$33 children 12 & under. https://www.cityofrc.us/news/cinderella
Inland Pacific Ballet – Reece Taylor, Adrienne Diaz in “Cinderella” – Photo by E.Y. Yanagi.
A pop up quartet
In what may prove a pleasant surprise, Leela Dance Collective brings India’s Kathak dance to Venice Beach, UCLA, Santa Monica Promenade, and the Culver Steps in four days of free pop up performances, plus a concluding concert performance in Agoura Hills. It’s part of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month. Bruin Plaza, UCLA Campus, 308 Westwood Plaza, Westwood; Thurs. & Fri., May 2 & 3, noon, free. Also along Ocean Front Walk between Venice Blvd. and Rose Ave., Venice, Beach; Sat., May 4, 10 & 11 am, free. Also at the 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica; Sat., May 4, 3 & 4 pm, free. Sun., May 5, noon, 2 & 5 pm, Culver Steps, 9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City; Also ticketed performance at Agoura Hills Performing Arts & Education Ctr., 28545 W. Driver Ave., Agoura Hills; Sat., May 11, 4:30 & 7:30 pm, $25 https://ci.ovationtix.com/35610/production/1192819; livestream $10 https://lvusd.ticketspice.com/2023-24-imagine-india
Leela Dance Collective with Salastina – California Festival: Encounters with Beauty – Photo by Margo Moritz
A story ballet that’s funny
It dates back to 1870, yet the comic ballet Coppélia strums chords of troubled young love as current as a Taylor Swift song. The delightful tale of a young maiden’s efforts to win back her feckless young man enamored with an aloof young woman sitting in the toymaker’s balcony brims with subplots— toyshop break-ins, impersonations, and the toymaker’s efforts to bring a doll to life. Festival Ballet welcomes guest artists Katherine Barkman and Estaban Hernandez from San Francisco Ballet in the leads, backed by students of this respected ballet academy. Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Sat. April 27, 7 pm, Sun. April 28, 2 pm, $35-$60. https://www.thebarclay.org/
Festival Ballet. Photo by Dave Friedman
Cello lifting
Aerialist and cellist Cellista brings her talents to and above the stage in Élégie. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Sat., April 27, 8:30 pm, $15-$20. EVENTS | Highways
Cellista. Photo by Yellow Bubbles Photography
Out of the classroom
Contemporary dance performance along with live music, large-scale projection mapping, and interactive installations are part of this edition of Rhythms + Visions/Expanded + Live4. The outdoor event draws talent from a range of campus programs. Meldman Family Cinematic Arts Park, USC, 900 W. 34th St., University Park, Sat., April 27, 7 pm, free w/reservations. https://visionsandvoices.usc.edu/allevents/
DATA or 7 ways to dance a dance through prison walls. Photo by Ciro Hurtado
Walled in
During the pandemic, choreographer Suchi Branfman and her collaborators were unable to continue in-person sessions with incarcerated participants in Dancing Through Prison Walls. The inventive program shifted to written expressions on yellow pads rather than physical dance. The result fueled DATA or 7 ways to dance a dance through prison walls. Scripps College Dance Tent, Jacqua Quadrangle, 1030 N. Columbia Ave., Claremont; Thurs., April 25, 5 pm, free w/reservation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dancing-through-prison-walls-tickets-858478862387
Vanessa Hernández Cruz. Photo by Paula Kelly
Out of the gallery
The artists and performers who usually inhabit the Hollywood gallery LACE (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions) are temporarily nomadic as the gallery undergoes renovation. Ten can be found in the Arts District this week with Abundance, a program of new work and re-stagings. Contributing performance, sound and literary artists include Frias, Jessica Carolina González, Vanessa Hernández Cruz, Alima Lee, Caleb Luna, Melba Martínez, Cody Perkins, Ghis Rodriguez, Yesika Salgado, and Dorian Wood. LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Wed.-Fri., April 24-26, 7 pm, free with reservation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abundance-tickets-851840296257
Scene from LA Opera’s “La Traviata” – Photo by Cory Weaver.
The final flower
A new production of La Traviata at the Los Angeles Opera boasts gender duality costumes for choreography by John Heginbotham. At its San Francisco Opera premiere, director Shawna Lucey and her team received critical raves for a fresh approach that retained everything that makes this among the most beloved operas while subtly spotlighting the backdrop of a gay but entirely money-dominated world in which love almost transcends the transactional. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sat., April 27, 7:30 pm, $39-$399. https://www.laopera.org/performances/202324-season/la-traviata/
A Peek at Next Week (05-03 to 09)
midLife dance project – Varietals, Blends and Flashbacks at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri., May 3, 8:30 pm, $20-$25, $20 students. https://www.highwaysperformance.org/shows
Re:BorN Dance Interactive Brand Library & Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., May 3, 5 pm, free. https://www.brandlibrary.org/dance-series
Re:born Dance Interactive. Photo by Skye Schmidt
Jamila Glass – First Look at Stomping Ground, 5453 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; Fri., May 3, 2 pm, $5. https://www.lacontemporarydance.org/events/first-look
Backhausdance – Open Rehearsals at Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana; Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm, May 7 to June 4, included in museum admission. https://www.backhausdance.org/
Backhausdance. Photo by Kira Bartoli
CalArts Spring Dance – LAUNCH at REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Wed.-Thurs., May 7-8, 8:30 pm, $20. https://ci.ovationtix.com/34348/production/1185790
High Voltage at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., May 3, 8 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org
Max 10 at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., May 6, 7:30 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/
Jerron Herman & Molly Joyce Left and Right at the UCLA Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood; Fri., May 3, 8 pm, sold out but wait-list sign up at https://cap.ucla.edu/event/molly-joyce-and-jerron-herman
Featured photo BrockusRED Photo by Denise Leitner
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
