Everything is tip tap in Mid-City, incubated ballet in Irvine, a folkloric anniversary in Orange, samba at sunset downtown. More SoCal dance this week (July 28 to August 3) and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Got the knack
Over the decades, National Choreographers Initiative (NCI) artistic director Molly Lynch has consistently shown her knack for incubating new choreography. Each summer, Lynch deftly assembles four choreographers with 16 dancers to produce new danceworks over an intense three weeks. The choreographers this year are Kristopher Estes-Brown, Ye Li, Ian Schwarner, and Carrie Ruth Trumbo. The dancers on summer hiatus from professional ballet companies include Anwen Brown, Katie Deuitch, Lester Gonzalez, Joseph Hetzer, Elizabeth Kanning, Michelle Katcher, Daniel Kubr, Saho Kamagai, Clay Murray, Cameron Pelton, Andrew Rossi, Sophie Savas-Carstens, Sean Sessions, Hunter Solomon, Sophie Williams, and Lily Wills. The finale, a one night performance, always comes with the caveat that NCI’s goal is not to produce finished works but to give the choreographers the time and the dancers to bring new ideas to life. Despite that disclaimer, this is often a first look at works that later become part of the repertoire of professional companies. The evening invariably sells out, but there is also a livestream option. Irvine Barclay Theatre, University of California Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Sat., July 29, 8 pm, $20-$60. Livestream-$20. https://www.thebarclay.org/
National Choreographers Initiative. Photo by Dave Friedman.
Tapping into Hollywood
A week of workshops and coaching from a stellar line up of tap masters concludes with three shows open to the public. Hosted and produced by Debbie Allen, the All-Star Concert on Saturday also is an homage to her mother and avid tap fan, Vivian Ayers Allen. Saturday’s All-Star Concert is the marquee event with more than a dozen tap stars that include LA-based tappers like Melinda Sullivan, Joseph Wiggan, Maud and Chloe Arnold of Sophisticated Ladies (the Arnolds also are co-producers with Allen). Still,Friday’s Tap Jam and Party is likely the most fun, and Sunday’s student showcase offers a chance to spot the promise in the upcoming generation of tappers. Complete festival info at https://www.hollywoodtapfest.com. Festival and shows at Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, 1850 S Manhattan Place, Mid-City; Tap Jam-Fri., July 28, 8 pm, All-Star Concert-Sat., July 29, 6:30 pm, Student Showcase-Sun., July 30, 6:30 pm, $30-$50. Info at tickets at https://www.hollywoodtapfest.com/register
Colburn School’s Melinda Sullivan. Photo by Lee Gumbs.
Nearing gold
Marking the approach of 50 years celebrating Mexican folkloric dance, Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico (RDC) offers Querido Mexico (Dear Mexico). Mariachi Santa Monica provides the live music. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange; Sat., July 29, 7:30 pm, $38-$48. Link to event at muscocenter
Relámpago Del Cielo. Photo courtesy of the artists
Next dance, next chance
Part participatory, part performance, the free, al fresco summer series Dance DTLA continues, this week showcasing Samba. A (beginner or 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., July 28, 7 pm, free. https://www.musiccenter.org/experience-learn/experience-learn/for-all-ages/dance-dtla/
Dance DTLA. Photo courtesy of the Music Center.
A Peek at Next Week (Aug. 4 to 10)
Flamenco Arts Festival – Alfonso Losa Flamenco: Espacio Creativo Lobrero Theatre 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Fri., Aug 4, 7:30 pm, $51-$106; Sol y Lunares – pre-concert fest 6 pm, free to ticket holders, Gala Afterparty $36. Info and tickets at https://www.lobero.org/events/flamenco-arts-festival-2023/
Peace on Your Wings – JACCC’s Aratani Theatre, 244 San Pedro St., Little Tokyo; Sat., Aug. 5, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Aug. 6, 2 pm, $20-$75. https://jaccc.org/events/peace-on-your-wings-2023/
DanceDTLA: Afro-Cuban Rumba and other Cuban Rhythms at the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., Aug. 4, 7 pm, free. https://www.musiccenter.org/experience-learn/experience-learn/for-all-ages/dance-dtla/
Leela Dance Collective. Photo courtesy of the Ford Theatres.
Leela Dance Collective at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sun., Aug. 6, 3 pm, free w/reservation
2023 Flamenco Benefit for Flying Doctors (LIGA)– Warner Brothers Performing Arts Center, Burbank; Sat.-Sun., Aug. 5-6, time, ticket price, and link to come.
Max 10 – Electric Lodge, Scott Kelman Theater, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., Aug. 7, 7:30 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/max-10/
Featured image: National Choreographers Initiative – photo by Dave Friedman
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
