Oscillating Accommodations

Live dance starts the new year with tango in Costa Mesa, Spanish dance in Cerritos, Japanese Taiko in Malibu, plus new contemporary choreography in El Sereno. All are live at press time, but theaters are poised to pivot and will have current info should the current Covid surge prompt changes.

Live Dance

An encore preview

In June, this venue hosts its official 2022 dance festival, but in sort of a prequel that’s also a flashback, the theater welcomes the return of Berlin-based Shade Théret who made a strong impression in the 2019 edition of Dance at the Odyssey. This visit, the choreographer performs her latest, Throwaway Line with a sound score from Alexander Iezzi. At the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Sat., Jan. 8, 8 pm, $15-$20. Details, tickets, & Covid protocols at https://odysseytheatre.com/

Shade Théret – Dance at the Odyssey – Photo courtesy of the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

It takes two

One of the most professional of the touring tango shows, Tango Argentina, stops off for two shows at Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, Sun., Jan. 16, 2 & 7 pm, $19-$79. Details, tickets & Covid protocols at https://scfta.org/

Tango Argentina. Photo courtesy of the artists

Dancing drums

Technically, TAIKOPROJECT is a Japanese drumming group, but anyone who knows Taiko, knows the performance on the array of drums also involves choreography and movement. Pepperdine University, Smothers Theatre, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Fri., Jan. 14, 7:30 pm, $20-$40. Details, tickets & Covid protocols at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/

TAIKOPROJECT. Photo courtesy of the artists.

The rhythm of the guitar

Dance, including Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, and Brazilian samba, are featured in this tour led by emmy-winning guitarist Benise. At Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos; Sun., Jan. 9, 7 pm, $55-$75. Tickets & Covid protocols at https://www.cerritoscenter.com.

Benise – 20th Anniversary Tour

Ringing in the new

New contemporary choreography from the five LACCL: 03 (LA Contemporary Choreography Lab) choreographers is showcased in this free performance. At Stomping Ground LA, 5453 Alhambra Blvd., El Sereno; Thurs., Jan. 13, 4 pm, free with reservation. Info, reservation & Covid protocols at https://www.lacontemporarydance.org/

LACCL-03. Photo courtesy of LA Contemporary Dance Company.

A Peek at Next Week

Out in the parking lot

The adventurous folk at Pieter greet the new year with their third Parking Lot Space Artist-in-Residence, Carlos “Los” Diaz who concludes the residency with a public performance. At The Box Parking Lot, 822 E. Third St., downtown Arts District; Sat., Jan. 22. Details & Covid protocols to come at https://pieterpasd.com.

Carlos “Los” Diaz. Photo courtesy of the artist

Covid Update

A festival postponed

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. This week was to be the opening of DCW’s 20th anniversary edition with more than 75 films lined up for a dozen programs at two venues. But things change. Out of caution and safety concerns with the current surge in Covid cases, DCW has postponed the festival to late March. Stay tuned or find details on the new schedule at http://www.dancecamerawest.org/.