A Canadian company offers another look in Costa Mesa, channeling Garbo in Santa Monica, sirens lure in Pasadena, South Asian dance in Venice, science danced in Atwater Village, fringe fest time in Hollywood, more SoCal dance this busy week (June 2 to 8), and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
And then she coughed
Choreographer Val Caniparoli is celebrating 50 years with the San Francisco Ballet as choreographer, principal character dancer, teacher and ballet master. Los Angeles Ballet offers the SoCal debut of one of the choreographer’s most popular full-length ballets, Lady of the Camellias. Whether captured in the classic Garbo film Camille or in Baz Lurhmann’s Moulin Rouge, the tragic French romance also has been the subject of several ballets. This version from Caniparoli, set to music by Chopin, has been performed by companies ranging from the Finnish Ballet to Ballet Florida, and now, is here. UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood; Fri., June 2, 7:30 pm, Sat., June 3, 2 pm, $40-$137. https://www.losangelesballet.org/lady-of-the-camellias
Los Angeles Ballet in “Lady of the Camellias” – Photo by Reed Hutchinson
They just can’t stay away
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ballet BC returns for a second performance in a month, this time with a different program, a trio of contemporary ballets that were created for Nederlands Dans Theater, the former home of Ballet BC’s artistic director Medhi Walerski. The program includes Bedroom Folk (2015) from Sharon Eyal and Gair Behar, The Statement (2016) from Crystal Pite, and Garden (2016) from Walerski. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., June 3, 7:30 pm, $29-$99. https://www.scfta.org/shows-events
Ballet BC – Photo by Marcus Eriksson
Siren song
Choreographer Josie Welsh and her Ballet RED dancers return with a new edition of their edgy brand of contemporary ballet in Frequency Vol. 2. Catch a preview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXz_aBNgdr4. Athletic Garage, 121 Waverly Dr., Pasadena; Fri.-Sat., June 2-3, 7:30 pm, Sun., June 4, 5:30 pm, $65. https://balletred.ticketleap.com/sirens/
BalletRED. Photo courtesy of the artists
15 years of awe-some
For 15 years, in the series Awe and Wonder, choreographer Donna Sternberg teams four scientists from different fields with four choreographers from different dance genres, Each pair is charged with creating a dance work where science informs the choreography without becoming a literal parsing or enactment of the science. This year the scientists are Moogega Cooper, Ashwin R. Vasavada, Gerard Fasel and Kris Pardo. The choreographers are drawn from jazz (Laura Ann Smyth), hip hop (Darrel “Friidom” Dunn), flamenco (Albertossy Espinoza), and contemporary (Sternberg). Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village; Sat., June 3, 8 pm, Sun., June 4, 3 pm, $20-$25. https://dsdancers.com/awewonder
Donna Sternberg & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Pagan to now
Last September, MUXX PROJECT (performers EYIBRA and Andrea Soto) enjoyed sold out shows. This return offers two different shows, both new to LA. Friday is Veles/Tini, described as a ‘performance and multimedia piece for two performers, digital avatars and visual projections.’ The subject is queer identity in Ukraine and Lithuania from pagan times to the present. On Saturday, Motherlines is a six-hour durational performance with 3D visuals by Oswaldo Erréve. A video preview is at https://ladanceproject.org/ladp-presents/#muxx. LA Dance Project Studios, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Veles/Tini on Fri., June 2, 8 pm, Also Motherlines on Sat., June 3, 2 to 8 pm,$35, $25 under 35 and seniors. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35353/production/1161618
Golden State Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists
Bringing a Peck
The San Diego-based Golden State Ballet ventures north with a contemporary ballet program dubbed From New York With Love.The evening includes In Creases by Justin Peck, and works from choreograpers Norbert De La Cruz III and Gabrielle Lamb. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Tues., June 6, 8 pm, $25 to $45. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35720/pr/1156338/pe/11261161?deepLink
Claiming their spotlight
Talented and polished, SoCal high school aged dancers are among the finalists performing at this year’s Spotlight Grand Finale. Ballet finalists are Campbelle Malicse and Chase Rogers. The dance finalists are Aubrey Abella and Calli Perryman. Two finalists in classical and non-classical voice, classical and jazz music, and acting also will perform. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Thurs., June 8, 7 pm, free with reservation at https://www.musiccenter.org/tickets-free-events/tmc-arts/spotlight-grand-finale/
Rangoli Dance Company. Photo courtesy of the artists.
South Asian dance in LA
Led by choreographer Malathi Iyengar, Rangoli Dance Company brings An Evening of Bharatanatyam Indian. Performers include Shivani Aysola, Vyshnavi Aysola, Ritika Iyer, Nina Krishnan, and Nishitha Viswanathan. The program also includes students performing the South Asian classical dance form. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sat., June 3, 5 pm, $25-$50. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-bharatanatyam-tickets-532790690297
Hollywood Fringe Festival #1
With bases in San Diego and Boston, the tap and creative percussion troupe DrumatiX promises a high-energy, family friendly show. Broadwater Main Stage, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood; Sun., June 4, 8 pm, Sat., June 17, 4:30 pm, Sun., June 18, 12:30 pm, Wed., June 21, 9 pm, Sat., June 24, 2 pm, $18, $12 seniors & kids under 12 years. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/browse
Hollywood Fringe Festival #2
Dance and physical theater bring Japanese anime comes to life in THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER. Performers are Rena Kaneta, Emika Kamieda, Shio Yamazaki, Stella Takasegawa and Mizuki Kimura. Kaneta also is credited with the sword fight choreography. McCadden Theater, 1157 N. McCadden Pl., Hollywood; Sat., June 3, 8 pm, Sun., June 4, 7:30 pm, Fri., June 9, 6 pm, and Sat., June 10, 9:30 pm, free. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9985
Hollywood Fringe Festival #3
Drawing on dance, capoeira and physical theater, Palmares recounts a 1675 power struggle between Brazil’s largest community of fugitive or freed slaves with Portuguese enslavement efforts in Brazil. The Broadwater Main Stage, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood; Sat., June 3 & 10, 8 pm, Fri., June 16, 6:30, Sat., June 17, 12:30 pm, Sun., June 25, 1 pm, $20. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/5543
Max 10. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Ten for ten
The mostly monthly program Max 10 gives ten performers ten minutes each onstage. Hosted by venue director Joel Shapiro and curated by the staff, the line up of performances often includes dance. A post-show reception gives a chance to chat with the artists. Electric Lodge, Scott Kelman Theater, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., June 5, 7:30 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/max-10/
Bernard BrownBBMoves – Edgar Aguirre in Cravings – Photo by Beth Megill
Bringing them together
Choreographer Bernard Brown curated this gathering of six regional dance performances considering identity and community. The new works are from Du’Ron Fisher (Defacto X), Edgar Aguirre, Mawiyah Dowd, Marcella Lewis, Tashara Gavin-Moorehead, and Tsiambwom “T” Akuchu. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., June 2-3, 8:30 pm, suggested donation $20. https://www.highwaysperformance.org/events/rooted-rhythmic-futures-2023-06-02-20-30
All electric
Timed to coincide with First Friday events on nearby Abott Kinney Boulevard, High Voltage offers an eclectic, ever-changing line-up of performers, often including dance and movement performers. This edition includes Shivadeva, Veronica Sofia Burt & Shaye Swanson, Owen Hamlin, and Electric Improv. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., June 2, 8 pm, $10. https://www.electriclodge.org/high-voltage/
Dance and dinner
What began as an afterschool program for at-risk youth that included a dance component evolved into The Wooden Floor, a respected dancer training program with an annual concert that draws top notch professional choreographers and designers to showcase the young dancers. This year’s event, the 40th annual, is entitled Limitless with choreography from Keely Garfield, John Heginbotham, and artistic director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil. Opening night includes a complimentary reception with desserts and a sparkling cider toast. Friday offers a black tie-optional pre-show dinner (additional charge). Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Thurs.-Fri., June 1-2, 8 pm, Sat., June 3, 2:30 & 8 pm, $20-$50. https://www.thebarclay.org/buy-tickets/2022-2023-events/6-1-23-the-wooden-floor.html
A Peek at Next Week
Los Angeles Ballet in Memoryhouse at the Broad Stage,1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Thurs.-Sat., June 15-17, 7:30 pm, $50-$75. https://broadstage.org/
Oguri at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri.-Sat., June 16-17, 8 pm, Sun., June 18, 3 pm, free. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/638765202917
American Contemporary Ballet at American Contemporary Ballet studios, Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., suite 2850, downtown; Thurs.-Sat., June 15-17 & 22-24, 8 pm, Sun., June 18 & 25, 2 pm, $40-$110. https://www.acbdances.com/season-xi-concerto-barocco
Alonzo King LINES Ballet – Dancer: Adji Cissoko – Photo © RJ-Muna
Alonso King/LINES Ballet at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri.-Sat., June 9-10, 7:30 pm, $39-$125. https://thewallis.org/show-details/alonzo-king-lines-ballet-deep-river
Flamencodanza at Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., June 9 & 16, and Sat., June 10, 6 pm, Sat., June 17, 8:30 pm, $18. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/browse
Claudia de La Cruz Flamenco Institute at St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, 2718 Saint George St., Los Feliz; Sat., June 10, 4:30 pm, $60 advance purchase only. https://www.elrocio.net/events.html
Featured Image: BC Ballet – photo by Michael Slobivian
Ann Haskins Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
