New federal travel bans jeopardize African dancers’ tour to SoCal; new choreography showcased in West LA festival; a legacy modern dance in Orange; contemporary choreography in Santa Monica, Frogtown, Westwood, and Pasadena; Ohio visitors open Laguna dance fest; ballet two ways in Santa Barbara; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at what’s coming next week.
Live This Week (thru February 12)
A two-fer
This week the Dance at the Odyssey festival brings a double bill — a premiere that draws from traditional Greek dances and two choreographers who ponder struggles half a world apart. In their world premiere, In Default: Joy, Marianna Varviani and Selcouth Dance Theatre consider how ritual and gesture can channel energy into movement. The new work is danced by co-creators Simon Chernow, Tyler Law and Maya Peterson. In LlamadoKodo, choreographer/performers Efrén Olson-Sánchez and Chie Saito explore cultural and ecological struggles of Mexico and Japan. Dance at the Odyssey at the Odyssey Theatre, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 6-7, Sun., Feb. 8, 2 pm, $28. Dance at the Odyssey.
Efren Olson Sanchez and Chie Saito. Photo by Michael Blendermann
Giving voice
Returning to the Dance at the Odyssey festival, formerly incarcerated and self-described “free world” members of Dancing Through Prison Walls bring FREEDOM TIME to the stage. Over the years, the group has built a platform to articulate and amplify the voices of the incarcerated. Dancers this time include Mohamed Abo-Bargs, Suchi Branfman, Jay Carlon, Selina Ho, Kenji Igus, Brianna Mims, Amy Oden, Terry Sakamoto and Tom Tsai. Odyssey Theatre 2, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 6-7, 8 pm, Sun., Feb. 8, 2 pm, $25 (+$3 for credit cards). Dance At the Odyssey
Dancing Through Prison Walls – photo by Alessia Zanobimi
Visa cancel culture?
As of publication, the U.S. tour by Les Ballets Africains, including stops this week in Santa Barbara and Malibu, is in jeopardy because new federal travel bans and restrictions on some African countries are holding up visas for dancers and drummers. The celebrated company of 35 dancers and drummers cancelled last week’s opening shows in Florida, and the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper announced the Feb. 10 Santa Fe show is uncertain. As of press time, both the Santa Barbara and Malibu presenters were waiting to hear if the tour is going ahead. Check with the theater for the latest and the refund policy if the tour is cancelled or postponed. (maybe) at the Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Fri., Feb. 6, 7:30 pm, $40-$70. Granada Theatre-Santa Barbara. Also (maybe) at Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; Sun., Feb. 8, 5 pm, $30.50-$58. Les Ballets Africains.
Les Ballets Africains. Photo courtesy of the artists
Dance with snacks
Kicking off 2026 with the first of roughly ten shows this year, the high energy dancers of BrockusRED conjure up a JAZZ Club with theatrical performance, food and drink. The company offers single tickets, discounts for two, and a a pass to all 2026 shows for $160. Brockus Project Studios, Black Box Theater, 618 B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Sat., Feb. 7, 8 pm, Sun., Feb. 8, 6 pm, $25 (2 for $40), note date you are buying for at Zelle: 562-412-7429, Venmo: @brockusProjectStudios, Paypal, cash at the door, Brockus Project Studios.
BrockusRED. Photo by Denise Leitner
Legacy with spine
Among the dance (and other performing artists) withdrawing after the renaming of Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Martha Graham Dance Company recently announced it would not go forward with its scheduled performance there this spring. The company is continuing with its tour, Graham at 100, marking the centenary of the legendary choreographer, bringing five works to the stage. On the program, Cortege, Diversion of Angels, Lamentation, and En Masse. For Steps in the Street, company members are joined by dancers from Chapman Dance. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 Glassell, Orange; Wed., Feb. 11, 7:30 pm, $58-$98. Musco Center.
Martha Graham Dance Company. Photo by Brigid Pierce
Stretching limits
The trio of Lena Kira Martin, Mandolin Noelani Burns, and Celeste Oliver join forces for Free All Night Long, exploring exhaustion, moments of release, and their physical limits in real time with live soundscapes. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 6-7, 8 pm, $20. Highways Performance Space
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Photo courtesy of the artists
Backstage and onstage
This year’s jam-packed Laguna Dance Festival opens with an informal “backstage” showcase with Ohio’s Dayton Contemporary Dance, in advance of its mainstage performance on Friday. Saturday’s Valentine-themed show Heart 2 Heart, features pas de deux from a line up of visiting dancers. SoCal dancers and dance companies take the stage on Sunday. Check the website for more details. All performances at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach; Backstage with Dayton Contemporary Dance–Thurs., Feb. 12, 6 pm, free with ticket; Dayton Contemporary Dance–Fri., Feb. 13, 7 pm, $75, $25 students; Heart 2 Heart (multiple companies in pas de deux program)–Sat., Feb. 14, 7 pm, $75-$250, $25 students, So Cal dance companies–Sun., Feb. 15, 3 pm, $75, $25 students. Laguna Dance Festival
Will Rawls. Photo by Sarah M Golonka
Museum dancing
As part of the biennial Made in LA events, choreographer Will Rawls stages the final site-specific performances titled Unmade that travel in, around, and outside the museum’s galleries. The dancers include Gurmukhi Bevli, Maya Billig, Ajani Brannum, Jeremy De’jon Guyton, Tiara Jackson, and Kensaku Shinohara. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Sat., Sat., Feb. 7 & 28, noon to 4 pm, free. Hammer Museum.
When dancers make dances
Santa Barbara’s professional ballet company, State Street Ballet, invites the audience into its studios for Evenings, showcasing choreography by company members. The evening includes refreshments. Gail Towbes Center for Dance, 2285 Las Positas Rd., Santa Barbara; Fri-Sat., Feb. 6-7, 7:30, $35 in advance, $40 at door (if space allows). State Street Ballet.
State Street Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists
Shoes will be lost
Later this month, World Ballet’s Swan Lake will be making the rounds, but this week, the touring company brings its Cinderella to the stage. Granada Theatre, 1214 State St, Santa Barbara; Thurs., Feb. 12, 7 pm, $54-$129 (w/fees). World Ballet — Santa Barbara.
World Ballet Series. Photo courtesy of the artists
Togetherness
Not strictly a dance concert or just providing back up, Lineage Dancers join singer/guitarist Chris Pierce in Concert on their home stage. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena; Sat., Feb. 7, 7 pm, $33.42, $23.02 students/seniors. Lineage Dancers.
Lineage Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists.
New takes
Eleven choreographers present in this quarterly installment of the informal preview series MashUp Contemporary Dance Open Mic. Based on a first-come, first-served selection, each edition offers work from choreographers and a chance for audience input. This edition features choreographers Shanti Topzand, Erika Mentzer, Maryam Malmir, Isaac Knuteson, Samuel Macias, Yoko Hasebe, Anastassia Yavorski, Khala Brannigan, Mia Moraru, Rishi Sharma, and Katie Cavalt. Frogtown Creative Space, 2926 Gilroy St., Elysian Valley; Sat., Feb. 7, 7:30 pm, $15. MashUp Open Mic
Stomp. Photo courtesy of the artists
Keeping the beat
Yes, it is technically a percussion show, but in showing the myriad potentialities of percussion–from metal structures and wooden implements to plastic bags and brooms–the performers of Stomp move and drum in a highly choreographed event. From its roots in the UK, the show can claim 50 countries and audiences exceeding 26 million. Along the way, Stomp picked up Britain’s Olivier Award for Best Choreography. The current edition, Let’s Make Some Noise arrives at the only SoCal stop on its North American tour. Cerritos Center for the Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos; Wed.-Thurs., Feb. 4-5, 7:30 pm, $48-$132. Stomp.
Cautionary return
Presenting itself as “China before communism,” the touring company Shen Yun built its reputation on the athleticism, flexibility, and group precision of its dancers, but dodged questions about its connections with China’s banned Falun Gong. More recently, the organization has faced accusations of dancer abuse and a lawsuit alleging child labor violations. In that context, the company concludes its tour of local venues. Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Fri., Feb. 6, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Feb. 7-8, 1 pm, $89-$218. Shen Yun.
A Peek at Next Week (February 13-19)
UCI Claire Trevor Department of Dance – Dance Visions 2026 at UC Irvine, Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Thurs.-Fri., Feb. 19-20, 8 pm, Sat., Feb. 21, 2 & 8 pm, $34, $30 seniors, $13 students. The Barclay
Compagnie Hervé Koubi – Sol Invictus at the Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Thurs.-Fri., Feb. 19-20, 7:30 pm, Sat., Feb. 21, 2 pm, The Wallis
Compagnie Hervé Koubi in “Sol Invictus” – Photo by Melanie Lhote.
Benise – 25 Years of Passion at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos; Sat., Feb. 14, 7:30 pm, $48-$142. Benise
World Ballet – Swan Lake at The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Tues.-Wed., Feb. 17-18, 7 pm, $67.05-$147.45 (w/fees). Swan Lake The Alex. Also with live orchestra at Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Wed., Feb. 19, 7 pm, $61.25 – $143.25. Swan Lake Fred Kavli Theatre. Also at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita; Fri., Feb. 20, 7 pm, $50-$115 (w/fees) Swan Lake – Santa Clarita. Also at Irvine Barclay Theatre (with live orchestra), UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Tues.-Wed., Feb. 24-25, 7 pm, $91-146 (w/fees). Swan Lake-Irvine Barclay Theatre.
World Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists
Intrepid Dance Project – Dance at the Odyssey at Odyssey Theatre 2, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 13-14, 8 pm, Sun., Feb. 15, 2 pm, $25 (+$3 for credit cards). Dance At the Odyssey
Hannah Millar + Imprints – Dance at the Odyssey at Odyssey Theatre 3, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Sat., Feb. 14, 8 pm, Sun., Feb. 15, 2 pm, $25 (+$3 for credit cards). Dance At the Odyssey
News of Note
SoCal Dance Company Closing – After two decades as a positive creative force in SoCal dance, LA Contemporary Dance Company has shuttered. Founding artistic director Kate Hutter announced the decision had been made to cease operations.
Featured image: Marianna Varviani and Selcouth Dance Theatre – Photo by Preston Project
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
