Storybook characters revisited in Pasadena, taiko drums at USC, livestreams from an Olympics master, a NY guest, and a Bharatanatyam dancer, plus a peek at next week and Covid updates.
Live Dance
(Note: as of press time, these events are live, but as Omicron does its thing, theaters are pivoting, postponing, and cancelling in response. Check with the venue for the latest)
From the page to the stage
Dancers from the contemporary company Lineage Dance join actors in Curiosity Tales, a family-friendly retelling of familiar storybook characters and their adventures. At Lineage, 920 E. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., Feb. 13 & 27, March 6 & 13, 4 pm, $40, $20 students & seniors. Info, tickets, & Covid protocols at https://lineagedance.secure.force.com/ticket/#/events/a0S1600000MSNNhEAP
Lineage Dance’s “Curiosity Tales” Photo courtesy of the artists
Twirling drumsticks
Japan may be the acknowledged home of taiko, but East LA Taiko brings its distinctive SoCal brand of the drumming art with excursions into Afro-Cuban, ska punk, and Latin rhythms. It’s not just the drumming, these folks also know how to move. USC, Queens Courtyard (near the Bing Theatre), 3400 Watt Way, downtown; Tues., Feb. 15, 4pm, free. Info & Covid protocols at https://visionsandvoices.usc.edu/eventdetails/?event_id=38395126792392
East LA Taiko. Photo courtesy of the artists
Livestream
When nowhere is here
Long before he strode into public consciousness as the theatrical architect of the 2004 Athens Olympics, Dimitris Papaioannou was celebrated in the European dance and theater world as an experimental choreographer, director, and visual artist. This triple threat brings his Nowhere for a free livestream performance presented by CAP UCLA. Created in 2009 with a cast of 26 dancers, Nowhere is often described as a contemplation on the very nature of theater and live performance. Previews and excerpts on vimeo and YouTube convey the power of the work. Complete livestream, Sat., Feb. 12, 7pm, free with registration. CAP UCLA online; Sat., Feb. 12, 7pm, free w/registration at https://online.cap.ucla.edu/checkout/subscribe/signup.
Dimitris Papaioannou’s “Nowhere.” Photo by Marilena Stafylidou
From the stage to a stream
Originally scheduled as a live performance, Doug Varone & Dancers shift to a livestream event. The contemporary choreographer, with hefty credits in dance, opera, theater, and film, is an artist-in-residence at USC. The performance includes company repertoire and a new work featuring dance department graduate students. A post-performance discussion with the choreographer is scheduled. From USC, Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, 849 W. 34th St., downtown; Fri., Feb. 11, 7pm & Sat., Feb. 12, 5pm, free w/reservation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doug-varone-and-dancers-registration-214889780117
Doug Varone & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists
Classical from India
Under the banner A Symphony of Emotions, the classical Bharatanatyam dance from India is performed by an acknowledged mistress of the art, Ramya Harishankar accompanied by the solo voice of Visalini Sundaram and violinist Karan Athreya. The live zoom performance includes a post performance discussion with the artists. Sat., Feb. 12, 6:30pm, $25. https://dhvaniohio.org/recordings/symphony-of-emotions/
Ramya Harishankar and Visalini Sundaram in “Symphony of Emotion.” Photo courtesy of the artists
A Peek at Next Week
(Note: Details, tickets, & Covid protocols at websites)
Nancy Evans Dance Theatre in Figures of Speech at ARC, 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Sun., Feb. 20, 4pm, $20. http://www.nancyevansdancetheatre.com/store/fos22
Nancy Evans Dance Theatre. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Covid Updates
US premiere Covid-cancelled
The U.S. premiere of Aakash Odedra Company with Hu Shenyuan in Samsara, scheduled for The Broad Stage on Thurs. & Sun., Feb. 10 & 13, was cancelled due to increased travel restrictions. Info at https://thebroadstage.org/performances/2021-22/dance/samsara
Dance Camera West. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Postponed to March
As the Covid public health emergency shuttered theaters for live performance over the past two years, the world of dance film, video and streamed performances has flourished. Long before Covid, filmed dance was the specialty of LA-based Dance Camera West, recognized as one of the premiere dance film showcases. DCW’s 20th anniversary edition was to earlier this month with more than 75 films lined up for a dozen programs at two venues. Out of caution and safety concerns with the current surge in Covid cases, DCW postponed the festival to late March. Stay tuned or find details on the new schedule at http://www.dancecamerawest.org/.
Featured Image: Dimitris Papaloannou – NOWHERE – Photo by Marilena Stafylidou
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
