The Broad Stage has announced that it will be presenting Dance Camera West Drive-In – Best of the Festival, “a unique drive-in experience showcasing the very best dance films from around the world” Saturday, two showings a day on January 30, 2021 and Sunday, January 31, 2021. The drive-in will be located outdoors at the Santa Monica College Bundy Campus – East Parking Lot with a different program each night . Each film will be making its World, United States and/or Los Angeles premiere.
As LADC announced in its December 14th article, the Dance Camera West 2021 Festival will also include online screenings at the Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz International Dance: Los Angeles with three programs on January 7, 8, and 9, 2021.
Dance Camera West (DCW) was co-founded in 2001 by dancer, choreographer, dance filmmaker, and Director Kelly Hargraves and Dance Media Producer, Consultant, and Director Lynette Kessler. After taking a hiatus from the organization, Hargraves returned to become the Executive Director and Artistic Director of DCW in 2018. The 2020 festival was held at REDCAT January 9 through 11, 2020 with screenings of 50+ short, experimental and documentary films and drew an audience of approximately 1000 people.
This year, of course, has been like no other for everyone around the world, and DCW was weighing its options. Everything took a turn for the better when The Broad Stage approached them with the idea of presenting a drive-in dance film screening which Hargraves has always wanted to do.
The Circadian Cycle – Image courtesy of Dance Camera West
“The only down side to that is that we had to show less films,” Hargraves said. It would involve only a one hour screening top 10, award winning dance films for one night. Then Director of Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, Pierre Leloup contacted DCW stating that he wanted to do three nights of screenings. “The Board later said that if they were going to build a drive-in from scratch which is expensive, then they would like to extend the festival to two nights.
It is wonderful that DCW first thought that they would only be able to screen 10 films, but now with the partnerships with The Broad Stage and Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, DCW will be screening a total of 40 films.
Sedimented Here – Image courtesy of Dance Camera West
Hargraves said that DCW received more than 250 international entries from 35 countries from which 16 finalists were chosen. Award-winners will be announced at the event! . Only the best are chosen to be screened on most dance film festivals. “The highest produced, the most notable choreographers, the cream of the crop,” as Hargraves described them. “But one of the things we like in our festival are not just those,” she said; The DCW festivals also includes “the quirky independent artists who are making them in their kitchen.”0.
Earth Odyssey – Image courtesy of Dance Camera West
The DCW festival was first designed to have screenings on weekends spanning one month. In Los Angeles, particularly, it is often difficult to get people to attend more than on event a week. Although DCW 2020 festival took place in one venue, REDCAT, out of necessity it has returned to its original design of presenting at multiple venues.
DCW has implemented the Finishing Fund Grant for Underrepresented Artists (BIPOC artists) in Los Angeles who shot films throughout the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter marches that they feel could use mentoring and production assistance. DCW has awarded Los Angeles based artists Austyn Rich and Marquesa Gardner (Miss Prissy) a finishing grant award of $1,000 to re-conceptualize, reshoot or re-edit their recent films made during BLM/COVID quarantines. The filmmakers will also be partnered with a BIPOC mentor through their process.
The films include (partial list):
D = Director, C = Choreographer
Program A
Sat, Jan. 30, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
Sun, Jan. 31, 2021 at 8 p.m.
Sedimented Here (D/C: Rachel Barker, United States)
Traces (D/C: Alex Murrull, Spain)
4 (D: Mariana Palacios, C: Adrián del Arroyo, Sweden)
Earth Odyssey (D: Adi Halfin, C: Dancers, Germany
Beast (D: Henrique Pina, C: Victor Hugo Pontes, Portugal)
Liminality (D: Jennifer Akalina Petuch, D/C: Annali Rose, United States)
Where The Spiders Live (D: Holger Mohaupt, C: Felix Watts, United Kingdom)
Escape (D/C: Heidi Duckler, also lists Filmmaker: Felipe Díaz Galarce, United States)
Program B
Sat, Jan. 30, 2021 at 8 p.m.
Sun, Jan. 31, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
Dusk (D: Henrique Pina, C: Olga Roriz, Portugal)
ID (D/C: Cass Mortimer Eipper, Australia)
Forest Floor (D/C: Robbie Synge, United Kingdom)
Second Seed (D/C: Baye & Asa, United States)
Lost Horse (D: Adi Halfin, C: Bobbi Jene Smith, Or Schraiber, Germany
The King (D/C: Jonathan Redavid, United States)
Being (D: Pablo Destito and Agustina Videla, C: Agustina Videla, Argentina)
The Circadian Cycle (D/C: Garry Stewart, Australia)
4 – Image courtesy of Dance Camera West
“The films range from dance in wide open landscapes to those sheltering in place at home, all reflecting the times we are experiencing with COVID-19. It is a way to experience the outdoors in new ways and from different vantage points. It is a welcome to see inside the artist’s experience of confinement.” Davidson & Choy Press Release, 12/17/20
Hargraves stressed that the drive-in only accommodates a certain number of cars and wants readers not to wait to purchase their tickets on the day of the screening, but to reserve their spaces now. Because it is a drive-in, this is a Covid safe event and drive-ins tend to sell out really quickly. The price of tickets are $45 or for another $20 dollars one can also have access to the DCW online version of the festival streaming for a full month on OVID-TV.
Also, part of 2021 Dance Camera West Festival:
Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz – International Dance: Los Angeles includes virtual screenings of 19 films on three programs streaming Jan. 7, 8, and 9 at 8 p.m. with primarily French language artists and Q&A’s in French. The three-night presentation explores groundbreaking international talent and visits a variety of styles, scenery, music, stories and storytelling techniques. Single program tickets are $10; three program pass is $25. Visit Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz for information and tickets. To learn more about the Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz – International Dance: Los Angeles, click HERE.
The tickets are NOW on sale for The Broad Stage’s presentation of Dance Camera West Drive-In – Best of the Festival.
Dance Camera West recommends these programs for ages 10 and up.
What: Dance Camera West Drive-In – Best of the Festival
Dates: Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 – Program A at 5:30 p.m. and Program B at 8:00 p.m
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 – Program B at 5:30 p.m. and Program A at 8:00 p.m.
The gates open one hour prior to the start of each program, and there will be no late entry or parking after the program has begun.
Admission:
- Single screening tickets are priced at $45 per car (no passenger limit)
- An $80 PREMIUM PASS includes both programs for a single car (option of both programs in one night or over two nights) plus the 2021 DCW Digital Festival Collection featuring 40+ films, sent by email to ticket holders in February.
- There will be a limited number of $10 student tickets with appropriate identification.
- Processing and venue fees apply.
Tickets: thebroadstage.org/dancecamerawest
Information: Patron Services 310.434.3200 or patronservices@thebroadstage.org
For a complete set of FAQ’s visit thebroadstage.org/dcwfaq
Where: Santa Monica College Bundy Campus – East Parking Lot, 3171 S Bundy Dr at Airport (between Ocean Park Blvd. and Palms) Los Angeles, CA 90066 Parking location is available on a first come, first served basis and upon completion of the program, cars must exit the lot immediately
COVID Protocol: All guests will have required safety COVID-19 protocols (including masks and distancing). Each program is expected to have a 65-minute runtime.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Lost Horse – Image courtesy of Dance Camera West
