Seismic Steps

African American dance traditions considered in Beverly Hills and Irvine, community resilience marks a Northridge earthquake anniversary in Northridge, a dance fest opens in West LA, technology tackled downtown, modern dance from Minnesota in Palm Desert, more SoCal dance, and a peek at next week.

The day after

It’s a one-of-a-kind, maybe once in a lifetime event, as this venue re-teams with choreographer Jacques Heim and his always astonishing Diavolo Architecture in Motion for Existencia. The work marks the 30th anniversary of the devastating earthquake that gave Cal State University Northridge the dubious honor of experiencing the most destructive event at any U.S. college campus. Heim moves beyond the seismic destruction to the human response filled with grit and resilience as the campus, like the surrounding community, emerged after the shaking stopped. Expect enormous towers collapsing as dancers dodge the danger in split second choreography, symbolic of how a community can come together and triumph. Because of the weight of the towers, these may be the only existence for Existencia. The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge; Wed. & Fri. Jan. 17 & 19, 8 pm, $39-$129. https://thesoraya.org/en/

 
Dance with a history

Arriving with accolades that include the first Black female nominated for Tony-awards as both director and choreographer, Camile A Brown returns to her concert dance roots, bringing her eponymous Camile A Brown & Dancers to two local venues. The calling card is Ink, with African American social dance, tap, jazz, modern and social dance all centered on African rhythms. the Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 12-13, 7:30 pm, $49-$79. https://thewallis.org/. Also at Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University 415 N. Glassell, Orange; Fri., Jan 26, 7:30 pm, $32.75 to $73. https://muscocenter.org/

 
Destruction in a good cause

The six-week long Dance at the Odyssey festival opens with choreographer Rebecca Pappas. Known for her “dance wrecking” events, Rebecca Pappas Dance launches the festival with three different evenings under the banner We Are Destroying Ourselves: A Dance Wrecking. Each show, an invited artist takes on  the question “Can destruction be an act of care?” by dismantling and remaking Pappas’ choreography. Tickets include an open studio preceding each performance and a post performance discussion. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 12-13, 6:30 pm pre-show, 8 pm show; Sun., Jan. 14, 12:30 pm pre-show, 2 pm show, $25. Full festival at Odyssey Theatre Dance

 
Snowbird sighting 

Avoiding the January weather at their home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mathew Jancewski and his contemporary company Arena Dance headed to the desert for a “creative incubation” at the aptly named “snowBIRD creative residency.” Hosted by the Palm Springs Dance Project, the company presents the outcome so far in a studio showing followed by an audience chat with the director and dancers. Beyond the Beat Dance Studio, 41990 Cook St., Ste. 401, Palm Desert; Thurs., Jan. 12, 5:30 pm,  free with donations accepted. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arena-dances-a-special-work-in-progress-presentation-tickets-775862334127

Stepping up, stepping out

Since its founding in 1994, Step Afrika! has successfully brought to the stage “stepping,” the percussive dance practiced by African American fraternities and sororities. In addition to the infectious rhythms of its signature style, the company’s programs also include contemporary dance and traditional African dance. This is the only SoCal appearance on its current national tour. Irvine Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine ; Wed., Jan. 17, 8 pm, $45-$105. https://www.thebarclay.org/

 
Tech togetherness

This venue starts the new year with a durational performance as Vanessa Hernández Cruz collaborates with Keilan Stafford and Maya Umemoto Gorman in Cyber Realms. The trio promise to bring the audience along on an exploration and  consideration of self, connectivity, and community. A Q&A follows the performance, then a chance to chat informally with the artists. Pieter Performance Space, 2701 N. Broadway, downtown; Fri., Jan. 12, 7 pm, free, donations welcome. https://www.pieterpasd.com/events/cyber-realms

 
Your table’s waiting

Those slinky ladies are back to dance around the Kit Kat Club as Lineage Dance presents Cabaret. The theater has been transformed into the 1930’s German cabaret with the audience seated at tables to observe and be part of the hi-jinks and ominous political rumblings as Sally Bowles, the emcee, and those dancers perform. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena; Fri.-Sun., Jan. 12-14, Tues., Jan. 16, & Thurs.-Sat., Jan. 18-20, 7 pm, $50. https://www.lineagepac.org/performances

A Peek at Next Week

JA COLLECTIVE and JAMAL KAMAU WHITE – Launch at LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Fri-Sat, Jan. 19-20, 8 pm, Sun., Jan. 21, 2 & 6 pm, $20, $15 students & seniors. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35353/production/1186236

Alonzo King Lines at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Jan. 20, 7:30 pm, $29-$89. https://www.scfta.org/

 
Dance at the Odyssey Week #2 with Lily Chumas Sadie Guthrie, Mekinna Knight, Nia Mason, Iyana Monet, Robby Olmos, Madi Ostratch & Olivia Vannucci. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 19-20, 8 pm, Sun., Jan. 21, 2 pm, $25. https://odysseytheatre.com/

Marianna Varviani/Selcouth Dance Theater Company – Mark at Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri-Sat., Jan. 19-20, 8:30 pm, $25, $20 students. https://www.highwaysperformance.org/events

 
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at the Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Thurs., Jan. 25, 8 pm, $41-$106. https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/

Dance Camera West  (DCW) at Barnsdall Art Park, 4814 Hollywood Blvd., E. Hollywood; Thurs.-Sun., Jan. 25-28, various times, $15 single tickets $150 festival pass. https://dcw2024.eventive.org/welcome

Featured Image: Diavolo Architecture in Motion, courtesy of the artists

Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com