Garden dancing in Santa Monica; “escape” artists persist in Lincoln Heights; South Asian dance in Santa Monica; contemporary dance in West LA and Van Nuys; dance films in Downtown LA; more SoCal dance this week, a peek at next week, and a message from your scribe.
Live This Week (thru April 9)
Mesmerizing
From flashy appearances in the Emmy and the Grammy awards, and America’s Got Talent, to years of world wide tours, the jaw-dropping, split second choreography of artistic director Jacques Heim and his LA-based Diavolo/Architecture in Motion has earned popular and informed acclimation. The company is home, reprising Escape that finds the dancers and gymnasts in a visceral exploration of individuals trying to break free. The tv appearances may have spread the word, but can’t begin to capture the interplay of the movers and crescendo of powerful movement in a live Diavolo performance. This chance for the live experience of Diavolo should not be missed. At L’Espace Diavolo, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 6 pm, thru Sun., June 14, $39. Diavolo-Veterans Project
Diavolo/Architecture in Motion – Photo by George Simian
Catching up with the Brits
The daughter of much admired Bharatanatyam teacher/choreographer Viji Prakash and a long-time LA presence in her own right, Mythili Prakash leads an all-female ensemble in She’s Auspicious. The full-length dance and live music performance explores the lines between goddess and woman, along with the often starkly contrasting treatment afforded to each. Among the most respected contemporary Bharatanatyam artists, Prakash knows how to tell a story with detail, perception, and wit, plus that live music. Prior London performances of She’s Auspicious garnered one of the four nominations for best new dance performance from Britain’s Olivier Awards. The awards are set for April 12, this performance is at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica: Sat., April 4, 7 pm, $40-$75. She’s Auspicious
Mythili Prakash. Photo courtesy of the artist.
All in a golden afternoon
Enjoy a walk through this new garden designed by Jill Jacobson-Bennett as Donna Sternberg & Dancers dance In the Garden. After moving among the pathways and foliage of this recently unveiled space, the dancers and audience can chat with the landscape designer. At Miles Memorial Playhouse exterior, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; Sat., April 4, 3 pm, $17.85. Donna Sternberg & Dancers
Donna Sternberg & Dancers. Photo courtesy of DS&D.
When a body meets a body…
As part of its international cultural exchange with the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, this venue hosts contemporary artist Silvia Gribaudi’s R.OSA – 10 Exercises for New Virtuosities performed by Claudia A. Marsicano. Already presented internationally, the solo work strikingly challenges perceptions of beauty, performance, and the female body. At Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; Thurs., April 9, 8 pm, free with RSVP at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz
Claudia Marsicano in “R.OSA – 10 Exercises for New Virtuosities.” Photo courtesy of the artist
Something old, something new
For the finale of its residency with students of CHAMPS (Charter High School of the Arts), Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers joins CHAMPS student dancers for an afternoon of contemporary dance. The program includes Heart, the newest work from artistic director/choreographer Louise Reichlin, and selections from Tennis Dances, Reichlin’s first work for her company in 1979. At CHAMPS Blackbox Theater, 6842 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; Thurs., April 9, 3:30 pm, free, reservation optional at CHAMPS Charter High School
LA Choreographers & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists
Dance on film
Following up the recent showing of student works, Heidi Duckler Dance’s rooftop dance cinema series, 4D Dance Films, showcases independent dance film makers. At the Bendix Building Rooftop, 12065 Maple Ave., Suite 1101B, Downtown LA Arts District; Fri., April 3, 7 pm, $10. 4D Dance Films
A Peek at Next Week (April 10-16)
Adie San Diego – Terms of Agreement at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., April 10-11, 8 pm, $28, $20 students/seniors. Adie San Diego
Versa Style Street Dance Company – Origins of Street Dance at the Ebell Theater, 4401 8th Street, Hancock Park; Sun. April 12, 4:30 pm, free with reservation at Versa Style Street Dance Company
American Ballet Theatre – Sylvia at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs.-Fri., April 9-10, 7:30 pm, Sat., April 11, 2 & 7:30 pm., Sun., April 12, 1 pm, $59-$169. American Ballet Theatre – Sylvia
American Ballet Theatre’s “Sylvia.” Photo courtesy of the artists
Masha Cherezova – Mutate at LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., LA Downtown Arts District; Sat., April 11, 8 pm, $30-$500. Masha Cherezova
Los Angeles Ballet – 20th Anniversary Gala at Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Sat., April 11, 5:30 pm cocktails, 6:30 dinner & performance, $1,000-$2,500. Los Angeles Ballet gala
A note from your scribe:
This Week in Dance is provided as a free service to raise the visibility of upcoming live dance performances and to provide a comprehensive weekly guide for audiences to find dance throughout SoCal. If TWID or the reviews or the previews or the interviews in LA Dance Chronicle have helped bring new audiences to your company or provided quotes for your grant proposals or have helped you as a dance fan discover new companies, please, if you are able, consider helping LADC during this Spring Fundraising effort. LADC is free, but the reviewing contributors are not. Thank you for supporting LADC, and keep sending info about your upcoming dance performances. Thank you for helping to keep dancers dancing! Info on contributing at this link. Ann
Featured image: Donna Sternberg & Dancers – photo courtesy of the artists
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
