Contemporary dance in a Hollywood sound stage and Lincoln Heights; new choreography in Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Mid-City, and Downtown LA; NYC visitor with California connections in Long Beach; tap in LA Arts District; a bit of a scare in Venice; seasonal folkloric in Orange; many, many Nutcrackers; more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
No place like home
Having assembled an enviable team of dancers, artistic director Tina Finkelman-Berkett has attracted high caliber choreographers and built a national reputation for the contemporary company BODYTRAFFIC. She has selected a tantalizing four course sampler that includes two premieres. Celebrated choreographer Trey McIntyre (now the company’s ‘creative partner’) unveils Secret Goodbye with music by Sam Cooke, and from Netherland Dance Theater, David Middendorp’s new work, Flyland, incorporates animation and projections. Rounding out the program, Cayetanto Soto’s Schachmatt (Checkmate!) finds playground potential in a giant chessboard and Jordyn Santiago’s dynamic debut choreography showcases the company’s female dancers. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 11-13, 7:30 pm, $42-$108.90. BODYTRAFFIC
BODYTRAFFIC – Photo by Guzman Rosado
Being human
Ever-thoughtful choreographer/dancer d. Sabela grimes teams with Meena Murugesan for Parable of Portals, an event that takes inspiration from Octavia E. Butler’s interrelated notions of humaness as well as Lauryn Olamina’s Earthseed doctrine. Video clips capture an energized, extraordinarily garbed quartet of dancers, clearly committed to Grimes’ explorations. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Mid-City; Thurs., Dec. 11, 8 pm, $25.14 – $46.08. d. Sabela grimes
d. Sabela grimes.- Photo by Cherylynn Tsushim
Considering community
Offering a passionate antidote to polarization, Deborah Rosen and Dancers premiere Atzmi (Self) traversing the terrain between isolation and connection. The program includes a restaging of FRAG…mented, considering issues of community. Dancers include Natalie Bojorquez, Robert Huerta, Thomas Ng, and Sara Scrimshaw, with guest Laine Proctor. ARC Performance Space, 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena: Fri.-Sat., Dec. 12-13, 8 pm, Sun., Dec. 14, 3 pm, $35. $20 students. Deborah Rosen and Dancers
Deborah Rosen and Dancers – photo by George Simian
A triptych
Among his many accolades, including a MacArthur Award (commonly known as the Genius Award), choreographer Kyle Abraham’s most recent choreographic effort was the only original work in Misty Copeland’s recent farewell performance at American Ballet Theatre. This week, the in-demand dancemaker arrives with three works performed by his own contemporary dance company, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham. Of particular interest is the In the act of undoing, a new work by Abraham and LA-based dancer Jermaine Spivey that was co-commissioned by the Carpenter Center. The program also includes Abraham’s The Gettin’ (2014) and an excerpt from his Dearest Home (2017). Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Dec. 13, 8 pm, $38.75-$68.75. A.I.M.by Kyle Abraham
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Photo courtesy of the artists
At the door
Backed by an ensemble of tappers, a live rhythm section, and horns, Leo Manzari takes the stage as lead dancer and vocalist to narrate the evolution of rhythm in Kick in the Door. Give Hope Studios, 3370 E. Olympic Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Fri., Dec. 12, 7:30 pm, $ 21.98-$52.94. Leo Manzari
Take a look
For the latest performance in an untraditional venue, Jacob Jonas/The Company brings EYE. Company dancers are joined by the extraordinary New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns. Although the company is known for Jonas’ visceral contemporary movement, he has explored balletic influences, including a trio several years ago for company member Jill Wilson and two members of Los Angeles Ballet. Mearns has been appearing around LA recently, including an event at the Colburn School its dance director, Janie Taylor, another NYCB alum. Charlie Chaplin Stage, Jim Henson Lot, 1416 La Brea Ave., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 12-13, $58.75-$75.75. Jacob Jonas/The Company
Jacob Jonas/The Company. Photo courtesy of the artists
‘Tis the season
Artistic Director Deborah Brockus and the dancers of the contemporary dance company BrockusRED celebrate the season with Winter Showcase. Brockus Project Studios, 618B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 12-13, 7:30 pm, $18; Zell 562-412-7429 or Venmo@brockusprojectstudios
BrockusRED. Photo by Denise Leitner
Delicate forevers
Currently on sabbatical from her leadership role at CalArts, choreographer Rosanna Gamson is reveling in having time to focus on extended dancemaking. With seven dancers, Rosanna Gamson/World Wide unveils what are described as ‘current experiments’ toward Gamson’s next new full length, Our Fragile Eternity. Articulating Gamson’s always insightful and provocative movement are Gretchen Ackerman, Marissa Brown, Ariana Daub, Ilya Nikurov, Paul Outlaw, Alejandro Perez, and Tzong-Han We. Pieter Performance Space, 2701 N. Broadway, Downtown LA; Sun., Dec. 13, 3 pm, donation. Rosanna Gamson World Wide
Rosanna Gamson/World Wide. Photo courtesy of the artist.
A different seasoning
For those who want a bit of fright with their seasonal eggnog, The Realm Company returns with artistic director Chasen Greenwood’s Krampus. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sat., Dec. 13, 20 & 27, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 14, 21 & 28, 3 pm, $58.90-$106.17. The Realm Company-Krampus
The Realm Company in rehearsal for “Krampus” choreography by Chasen Greenwood – Photo by Hannah Cox Photography.
Folkloric sensibilities
Bringing follkloric flavors of the season, Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande presents Campana Sobre Campana. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 Glassell, Orange; Sun., Dec. 14, 2 & 7 pm, $33-$78. Musco Center
This week’s bumper season of Nutcrackers Link to Nutcrackers 2025
A Peek at Next Week (December 19 to 25)
Guadalupe Maravilla – A Performance at REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. Second St., Downtown LA; Fri., Dec. 19, 8 pm, free w/reservation at Guadalupe Maravilla
66th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration at The Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Wed., Dec. 24, 3 to 6 pm, free, Info and updates at LA County Holiday Celebration
And more Nutcrackers! Link to Nutcrackers 2025
Featured image: Bodytraffic – photo courtesy of artists
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
