The 2020 L.A. Dance Festival (LADF) was originally scheduled to occur in April at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex, the Diavolo Performance Space, and the Brockus Project Studios with workshops and classes in studios around Los Angeles. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to in-person performances, the festival’s producer, Deborah Brockus and Dance Camera West (DCW) Executive Director/Artistic Director Kelly Hargraves formed an alliance to bring about Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen Tuesday, June 23 through Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Funded in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs MaTCH program, Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen will provide an entire week of free home access to films that celebrate Los Angeles dance artists. It offers six dance films from the DCW2020 Festival and five new and original works from LADF in both stage and film format.
Hargraves said that there was a record number of films submitted to DCW2020. Out of the 350 films submissions, there was a record number of 75 films presented with over 40 countries represented. “….over 1200 audience attendees; and most importantly, the fulfillment of the DCW mission to create revenue for artists through live event presentation and distribution. We are so very proud to now be able to share it with wider audiences through an online platform,” She said.
“Cielo” Short, Will Johnston, 9:14 U.S. (CA) – Photo courtesy of DCW2020
The DCW films to be presented on Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen will include “Cielo” Short by Will Johnston, 9:14 U.S.(CA); “Family Portrait” Short by Jingqiu Guan, 10:44 (CA); “If I Sound Happy, That’s Your Mistake” Short by Derrick Belcham, 11:59 (CA); “One Another” by Cal Arts Dance/Kevin Frilet, 7:54 (CA); “Save Your Self” Narrative Short by Craig Baurley, 5:30 (CA); and “Wounded, Not Conquered” Experimental Short by Troy Brieser, 2:49 (CA).
In her June 19, 2020 press release, Brockus described the five new and original works were created for Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen at Brockus Project Studios and offer only a small sample of the dance artists that LA has to offer. “Dances were created with safety in mind as solos and shot in studio with items on hand,” Brockus said.
The five LADF films available for viewing include “Spirit Framed” Choreographed and performed by Raymond Ejifor to music By Bensound. The Director of Photography was Patrick Mignano, Hurricane Deck Productions; “Drift, Inner Landscape” with choreography by Deborah Brockus and performed by Julienne Mackey, Director of Photography by Patrick Mignano, Hurricane Deck Productions; “Refresh” choreography by and performed by Olivia Perez, Music by Gregg Young, Director of Photography by Patrick Mignano, Hurricane Deck Productions; “Perspective” choreographed and performed by Charlotte Smith, Director of Photography by Glyn Gray Stir Studios; and “1,000” choreographed and performed by Hailey Transue to music by Bensound, Director of Photography Patrick Mignano, Hurricane Productions.
In addition to Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen LADF is sending seven works by LA choreographers to the Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK in July 2020. The festival will feature an online workshop – July 7th to July 12th; online dance performances – July 23rd to July 26th that include 12 dance works from outside of South Korea, 45 from South Korea, 6 Korean dance works; and 5-7 US Music, Digital and Dance Companies including Rosann Gamson / World Wide, Rosanna Tavarez of La Dansa Dansa; Bernard Brown/BBMoves, SAUMA/mvmt; BrockusRED, Charlotte Katherine & Co., and Clairobscur Dance.
“Perspective” Choreographed and performed by Charlotte Smith – Photo by Glyn Gray Stir Studios
The Los Angeles Dance Festival 2020 will also be presented online. Brockus noted that for the first time LADF will send out a call for submissions rather than an invitation for companies to perform on the festival. The festival will branch out from its focus on contemporary work and include a special section for dance artists who have created social commentary works.
Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen will take place beginning at 12:00 AM on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 and run through 11:30 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
To access Dance From LA, Off the Stage & Onto the Screen, click HERE.
LA Channel35 will also be airing the event. Schedule to be announced.
Featured image: BrockusRED – Julienne Mackey in Drift, Inner Landscape choreography by Deborah Brockus – Photo: Patrick Mignano, Hurricane Deck Productions
