Dance With Intriguing Admissions Options

Horror dance in Highland Park, alumni paying homage in Santa Monica, Fringe Festival tap dance in Hollywood, a First Friday dance break in Venice, helm change in Lincoln Heights, and more SoCal dance this week.

5.  Varying variations

The Russian classical ballet Raymonda and George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations are compared and contrasted in this event from American Contemporary Ballet. An artist reception follows each performance. Fashion Theater, 110 E. 9th St., downtown; Thurs.-Sat., June 7-9, 13-15, 8 p.m., Sun., June 9 & 16, 2 & 5 p.m. $45-$105. https://www.acbdances.com/balanchine.

American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Will Davidson.
American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Will Davidson.

4.   One tapped into the cuckoo’s nest

A blend of tap dance, autobiographical theater, and comedy show, Lynne Jassem’s Tapping My Way to the Nuthouse arrives as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. She was a child tap star, appearing on Perry Como and other TV shows. Yes, she is that old. 70 in fact and she still can dance, winning a Best in Festival award at the San Francisco Fringe Festival and getting delightful reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A bonus event is a tap workshop with Jassem on June 14. Lounge Theatre 2, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Sat., June 8, 8 p.m., Sun., June 16, 2 p.m., Sat., June 22, noon. $20. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6099?tab=tickets.

Lynne Jassem. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Lynne Jassem. Photo courtesy of the artist.

3.  Past and present

This weekend, the respected Westside Ballet Academy will look back on the centennial of its founder, the late Yvonne Mounsey, with a performance featuring several alumni now dancing professionally, and then take a look ahead with students performing in its annual spring performances. The Saturday night gala includes alumni performances by Andrew Veyette (now with New York City Ballet), Joy Womack (most recently with Korea’s Universal Ballet), Lucia Connelly (now with Joffrey Ballet), Lyrica Woodruff (most recently on Broadway in Anastasia), Nicole Haskins (now with Smuin Ballet), and other guest artists. Sunday’s showcase spotlights current students in repertoire that includes George Balanchine’s Serenade staged by former NYCB ballerina Pat Neary. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Gala: Sat., June 8, 5 p.m., $85-$120 pre-show reception and performance only, $195 also includes post-performance dinner. Spring Performance: Sun., June 9, 1 & 5 p.m., $35. https://westsideballet.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=4547.

Westside Ballet alum Nicole Haskins. Photo by Chris Hardy.
Westside Ballet alum Nicole Haskins. Photo by Chris Hardy.

2.  Flamenco, tapas and paella

Marking its 10th anniversary, Cumbre Flamenca brings two rising Spanish flamenco stars Adrián Santana and Águeda Saavedra, with guitarist Francisco Vinuesa. The evening also includes Santana and Saavedra plus dancers Manuel Gutiérrez, Lakshmi Basile “La Chimi,” and Daniela Zermeño Sanchez, and singers Francisco Orozco “El Yiyi,” José Cortés Fernández, guitarist José Manuel Alconchel Ortega, and percussionist Diego Álvarez “El Negro.” Top ticket includes pre-show tapas and paella, other ticket holders may purchase for $30 and a no-host bar is open to all. The Edye at The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Fri., June 7, 8 p.m., $48-$80.  http://www.itsmyseat.com/Vida10.

Cumbre Flamenca. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Cumbre Flamenca. Photo courtesy of the artists.

1.  A changing of the guard

In a short decade, Pieter Performance Space has become noteworthy as a supportive space for dance as well as for its distinctive ticketing system for performances. Admission is a non-monetary contribution to the free bar and/or boutique. Among its innovative and experimental efforts, the series Hi Solos presents ten choreographers, each with a three minute solo. The series provides a first look at what often has evolved into larger group and evening-length works. Over 70 choreographers have been presented during four years Alex Shilling and Devika Wickremesignhe helmed the series. This edition marks the passing of the torch to Miles Brenninkmeijer and Alexsa Durrans, both Hi, Solo alumni. Pieter Performance Space, 420 W. Avenue 33, #10, Lincoln Heights; Sat., June 8, 8:30 & 10 p.m., admission is a non-monetary contribution to the free bar and/or boutique. https://pieterpasd.com.

Hi Solo. Photo by Alexx Shilling.
Hi Solo. Photo by Alexx Shilling.

          Other dance of note:

The recurring series High Voltage is timed to the monthly First Friday events along nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd. Located just off AKB, these shows provide some artistic relief from the food trucks, galleries and stores staying open alongside the array of pop-up kiosks selling things. The showcase has a lot of dance/choreographers but also performance, theatre and spoken word artists. The line up generally offers six to eight performers presenting short tastes of their work. This edition featuring Gema Galiana, Ann Carlson, Mateo Daniel, Mil Grus, David Javelosa & Cheryl Fidelman, and Barry Brannum with Gracie Winston. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri. June 7, 9 p.m., $10. http://www.electriclodge.org/.

Suarez Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Suarez Dance. Photo courtesy of the artists.

Christine Suarez and her Suarez Dance reprise Mother.Father. Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena; Sun.,June 9, 10 a.m. free. http://www.suarezdance.org/upcoming-events/.

Always bringing a bit of Stephen King style horror to the dance world, choreographer Alex Floyd and OdDancity offers Unihiekka…sleep sand considering the horrors embedded in lullabiesA small audience will be guided through this distinctive perspective on motherhood. PAM, 5810-1/2 N. Figueroa, Highland Park; Tues., thru June 25, 8:30 p.m., $50. Contact through their facebook page or PayPal.

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