A vibrant New York visitor brings Latinx to Beverly Hills, one Cuban company cancels but another dances into Northridge, casual contemporary in Brentwood, faculty teach and “do” in Long Beach, spooky ballet downtown and in La Canada Flintridge, more SoCal dance, and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Ready to dance again
Returning to live performance in its home theater after two years of pandemic closure, CSULB Dance Concert brings Variance with choreography by faculty member Keith Johnson and alum Dolly Sfeir. The program also includes works from BFA candidates Kendall Chatham, Tori Cone, Eliza Loran, and Julia Russell. Martha B Knoebel Dance Theater, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, Live: Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 13-14, 8pm, Sat., Oct. 15, 2 & 8 pm, $25, Livestream: Thurs., Oct. 13, 8pm, $25. https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/carpenterarts/6773
Cal State University Long Beach. Photo courtesy of the artists
What month is it?
Just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, New York’s celebrated Ballet Hispánico returns. The popular LatinX ensemble is here so often, it’s almost bi-coastal. This visit marks the troupe’s debut at a new venue. The calling card, Noche de Oro promises the polished contemporary choreography and dance that has been the company’s hallmark for 50 years. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri, Oct. 7, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 8, 2 & 7:30pm, $39-$125. https://thewallis.org/
Ballet Hispanico. Photo by Paula Lobo.
And still they persist
Deliberately staged in the murky, low level red light of a photography darkroom, the contemporary dance company Cassils brings Human Measure to the stage. The work uses photography as well as dance to tackle questions of how to exist and self-actualize in a society that persists with efforts to extinguish targeted groups. Choreographer Jasmine Albuquerque collaborated with composer Kadet Kuhne, lighting designer Christopher Kuhl, and a five trans- and non-binary performers. REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 13-15, 8:30pm, $25. https://www.redcat.org/
Cassils in “Human Measure.” Photo courtesy of the artists
MEN-toring
Among the line up of 16 performance, musical, and visual artists announced by LA Freewaves for X-aMEN-ing Masculinities, look for LA-based choreographer d. Sabela Grimes, Cassils taking time before its REDCAT opening, and the L.A. Parmelettes Drumline. The participating artists present installations and performances “X-aMEN-ing” masculinity from different perspectives. The website has details on all of the participants and the full range of scheduled events, including the finale, a House Ball for male-identifying performers. LA State Historical Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown; Thurs., Oct. 6, 7:30 to 10:30pm, free w/registration at http://freewaves.org/.
D. sabela Grimes. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Cuban contemporary
The contemporary Cuban ensemble, Malpaso Dance Company makes its debut at this venue with a three-part program of dance and live music. Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble perform 24 Hours and a Dog created by company artistic director Osnel Delgado. The two other works are from internationally recognized choreographers Mats Ek and Azsure Barton. The Soroya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Thurs., Oct. 13, 8pm, $39-$94. https://thesoraya.org/
Malpaso Dance Company. Photo by Bill Hebert.
Spooky ballet No. 1
Pairing Halloween and Burly Q, American Contemporary Ballet opens four weekends of performances. Now in a new home, the company sends its accomplished dancers into creepy-time with Inferno and into the tease with Burlesque, and promising a surprise coda. ACB Studios, Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2850, downtown; Fri.-Sat., Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 & 28, 8pm, $60-$140. https://us.patronbase.com/_ACBDances/Productions/10/Performances
American Contemporary Ballet’s “Inferno”. Photo by Jared Zagha.
Spooky ballet No. 2
A streamed film version is promised closer to Halloween, but this weekend Leigh Purtill Ballet Company offers two live performances of its seasonal themed Sweet Sorrow, a Zombie Ballet. Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Ave., La Canada-Flintridge; Sat., Oct. 8, 7pm, Sun., Oct. 9, 4pm, $20-$45. https://www.leighpurtillballetcompany.org/get-tickets
Leigh Purtill Ballet Company. Photo by Clarence Alford Photography.
Casual contemporary
Performing in wearable artworks by visual artists Victoria Fu and Matt Rich, Milka Djordjevich and her dancers offer a sunset and a midday performance dubbed Ever Present. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; Sat., Oct. 8, 5pm & Sun., Oct. 9, noon. Free with timed admission at https://tickets.getty.edu/Online/default.asp
Milka Djordjevich. Photo courtesy of the artist
Backyard benefit
Making good use of SoCal’s warm autumn, Lineage Dance celebrates with an outdoor benefit event filled with dance, food and drink. Private residence, address provided with ticket purchase. Sat., Oct. 8, 4pm, $150 https://lineagedance.secure.force.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F3o00000p4pNfEAI
Lineage Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Last dance at the opera
In addition to having helmed her own company and multiple dance films, choreographer Kitty McNamee is a frequent name at the LA Opera and is back, providing choreography to the new production of Lucia di Lammermoor. McNamee has done a prior Lucia, one of almost a dozen LA Opera shows she’s contributed to. In this version, the director also includes a considerable video presence of the title character that involved McNamee’s movement skills. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sun., Oct. 9, 2pm. $20-$330. https://www.laopera.org/performances/shows
Lucia di Lammermoor. Photo by Cory Weaver
Cancelled
Led by international ballet star Carlos Acosta, the highly anticipated local debut of Cuban contemporary company Acosta Danza at the Ford Theater has been cancelled. Whether tied to visa problems or Hurricane Ian’s impact on Cuba, the performances first had a date change, then they announced cancellation. Maybe next time.
A Peek at Next Week
Ballet Pacifico at The Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Oct. 15, 8pm, $35-$65. https://www.theford.com/
Mark Morris Dance Group- The Look of Love at The BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 20-21, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 22, 2 & 7:30pm, $60-$120. https://broadstage.org/performances
Luminario Ballet at Avalon Hollywood, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood; Sun., Oct. 16, 8pm, $40-$125, pre-show dinner gala at 5:30pm, $350-$550. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/luminario-ballet-masquerade-macabre-gala-and-performance-tickets-383019189707
Luminario Ballet in L’Invalide choreography by Judith FLEX Helle – Photo by Ted Soqui
Oguri & Roxanne Steinberg – Dare 2 Dance in Public Film Festival at Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center, Vista del Mar Child & Family Services, 3200 Motor Ave., Cheviot Hills; Sat., Oct. 15, $15-$45. 5:45pm, performance. Also 2pm (International films), 4pm (Films from China), 7pm (official winners and honorable mentions) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dare-to-dance-in-public-film-festival-glorya-kaufman-performing-arts-ctr-tickets-420554759607
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company – Open Mic Night at Mashup Studios, 2934 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Oct. 15, 7pm, free w/reservations at https://www.mashupdance.com/openmicnight
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company – Expansiveness: Changing Perspectives – Screen capture courtesy of the company.
Magnolia Yang Sao & Lydia Li Casual at Mission Road Studio, 300 S. Mission Rd., downtown; Tues., Oct. 18, 8pm, $10. https://performancepractice.vbotickets.com/event/CASUAL_Magnolia_Yang_Sao_Yia_Lydia_Li/81571
Voices Carry: Through the Eyes of My Feet at Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, 1210 4th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sun., Oct. 14-16, 8pm, free with registration at https://voicescarryinc.net/
Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company: Come Alive at Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Wed., Oct. 19, 7pm, $15-$25. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35720/pr/1136951/pe/11148650
Featured Image: Cassils, courtesy of the artists.
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
