Voguing at downtown’s Music Center, a contemporary dance festival in Laguna Beach, Baz Luhrmann’s Paris sizzles in Hollywood; new ballets in Brea, a bit more SoCal dance in a slow summer week, plus a peek at a busy next week.
Live This Week
Let the fest begin
In something of a soft opening to its official festival performances in a more traditional theater setting, the Laguna Dance Festival and the Laguna Art Museum partner for dance within the town’s free August Art Walk series. This year, dancer/choreographer Justin Pham arrives with San Diego county’s Murietta Dance Project. (See A Peek at Next Week for next week’s festival offerings.) Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach; Thurs., Aug. 4, 6 & 6:30pm, free. https://lagunadancefestival.org/
Justin Pham. Photo courtesy of the artist
Tour jeté
Two entrepreneurial sisters made good use of the two year lockdown establishing Ballet Project. tv, which aired videos of their nascent company Ballet Project OC and other companies during the pandemic lockdown. Now the sisters, Ally and Emily Helman have gone live, touring three SoCal venues with a program of five new works by mostly California choreographers. This weekend offers the last live performance, also with a livestream option. Brea Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea; Sat., Aug. 6, 3 & 7pm, $35 live or livestream. https://www.ci.brea.ca.us/1594/Curtis-Theatre
Ballet Project OC. Photo courtesy of the artists.
En vogue
The popular summer series continues with Dance DTLA Voguing. A free lesson is followed by open dancing. Come to dance or to enjoy the music and free show. Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., Aug. 5, 7-11pm, free. https://www.musiccenter.org/
Music Center’s Dance DTLA. Photo courtesy of the Music Center.
Last chance
Last chance to catch Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, and Anthony Veneziale’s street dance and improvisation infused Freestyle Love Supreme. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Fri., Aug. 5, 8pm, Sat., Aug. 6, 2 & 8pm, Sun., Aug. 7, 2 & 7 pm, thru Sun., Aug. 7, $34-$106. https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/
“Freestyle Love Supreme.” Photo by Joan Marcus
Everything’s coming up exclamation points!
Baz Luhrmann’s misbehaving Parisians moved from Hollywood film to Broadway hit, and now they return to Hollywood in Moulin Rouge! The Musical! The strong dancing cast struts its stuff for this run at the Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Tues.-Thurs., 8pm, Sat., 2 & 8pm, Sun., 1 & 6:30 pm, thru Sept. 4, $39-$199. https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/moulinrougethemusical
Adéa Michelle Sessoms and Jennifer Wolfe in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
A Peek at Next Week
Achinta S. McDaniel, Lindsey Red-tail, X’ene Sky at REDCAT NOW Festival Week #1 at REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Thurs.-Sat., Aug. 18-20, 8:30pm, $20, $16 students. https://www.redcat.org/
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet at Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr., East LA; Sat., Aug. 13, 8pm, $25-$45. http://www.luckmanarts.org/
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet Photo courtesy of the artists
Laguna Dance Festival–BODYTRAFFIC Laguna Beach High School Artist’s Theater, 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach; Fri., Aug. 12, 7:30pm., $50, $30 students. https://lagunadancefestival.org/tc-events/stars-of-dance/
Laguna Dance Festival–Stars of Dance Skylar Campbell Dance Collective at Laguna Beach High School Artist’s Theater, 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach; Sat., Aug. 13, 7:30pm., $50, $30 students. https://lagunadancefestival.org/tc-events/stars-of-dance/
Re:borN Arts Dance Festival at PYULSD Performing Arts Center, 1651 N. Valencia Ave., Placentia; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 12-13, 7:30pm, $25-$30. https://www.reborndance.org/event-details/reborn-arts-dance-festival-2022
Re:borN Dance Interactive. Photo courtesy of RDI.
American Contemporary Ballet–Ballet School at ACB, Two California Plaza, Suite 2850, downtown; Sat., Aug. 13, 1pm, $55-$95. https://us.patronbase.com/_ACBDances/Productions/8/Performances
Heidi Duckler Dance in Counter Intelligence: The Story of Sister Alyonushka and Brother Ivanushka at the Bendix Building Rooftop, 1206 Maple Ave., Suite 1100B, Arts District; Aug. 14, 7pm, $15-$40. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/truth-or-consequences-tickets-294876933847
Heidi Duckler Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists
Nonosina at The Ford Theatre, Sun., Aug. 1, 10:30am, $10, 2 free kids tix with each adult ticket. https://www.theford.com/
Getty 25 Celebrates Crenshaw at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Parking Lot, 3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Crenshaw; Sat.-Sun., Aug. 13-14, 11am to 5pm, free. https://destinationcrenshaw.la/
Flamenco/Folklórico Benefit at St., Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, 2718 Saint George St., East Hollywood; Sun., Aug. 14, 12:30pm, $30-$50 at door. https://www.elrocio.net/events.html
Featured Image: Laguna Beach Dance Festival Kybele Dance Theater. Photo by Skye Schmidt
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
