Dancing in the Dark

Bollywood in Hollywood, dancing after dark around Disney Hall, A Greek classic redux in West L.A., short stories that move downtown, and more SoCal dance this week.    

5.  Nice shoes!

The latest edition of the ongoing choreography showcase New Shoes 18 features work from Caitlin M. Heflin, Colleen Hendricks, Vannia Ibarguen Dance Arts, Ovation09_and Artists/Katherine Mcculla, Chasity Ramsey, and Katelyn Sanchez. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., July 20-21, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 students & seniors. https://highwaysperformance.org.

New Shoes #18. Photos courtesy of the artists.
New Shoes #18. Photos courtesy of the artists.

4.  When enough is enough

The latest 21st century exploration of classical plays involving movement mavens Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble considers another Greek classic in Lysistrata Unbound. Considered a comedy, Aristophanes’ original considers what would occur if Greek women withheld sex to protest the ongoing war with Sparta. Choreographer John Farmanesh is also directing with assistant choreographers Alina Bolshakova, Jones Welsh Talmage and the Not Man Apart company. See website for additional stray performances, special wine nights and other events. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Fri.-Sat., 8, p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., thru Sat., Aug. 4, $32-$37, $25 seniors, $22 under 30, $17 students. http://www.odysseytheatre.com.

Not Man Apart Physical Ensemble in Lysistrata. Photo by Enci Box.
Not Man Apart Physical Ensemble in Lysistrata. Photo by Enci Box.

3.  Moving about a short story

A bit of Brazil and a touch of Chile where choreographer Heidi Duckler discovered Clarice Lispector’s short stories inspired the choreographer’s latest site specific event, A Bela e a Fera A Salon: An evening of 3 Clarice Lispector short stories in dance. As with many Heidi Duckler Dance performances, each story unfolds in a different space with the audience moving about. (Comfortable shoes are recommended.)  Original music is by M83’s Joe Berry, with narration by Paula Rebelo. The evening includes a post-performance supper, drinks and discussion. The Bendix Building, 1206 Maple Ave., Ste. 1100B, downtown; Sun., July 22 & 29, 7 p.m., 7 p.m., $50. https://abelaeafera.eventbrite.com.    

New Original Works (NOW) Festival 2018's Jmy James Kidd. Photo courtesy of the artist.
New Original Works (NOW) Festival 2018’s Jmy James Kidd. Photo courtesy of the artist.

2.  It’s so Now

Each summer, the magical potential of a black box theater is explored by emerging artists in dance, music, theatre and that ever-elusive category multi-media during the three week New Original Works (NOW) Festival. The 15th annual NOW Fest is perhaps the most dance-drenched in recent years with dance the focus or major component of seven of the nine artists being presented and opening week’s three artists all also employ live music. Peter Deguzman and his Malaya Filipino-American Dance Arts contribute Pangalay shadow dance as Jasmine Orpilla combines a soprano arrangement with kulintang gongs in a work inspired by poet Carlos Bulosan. Animator/performer Miwa Matreyek and sound artist Morgan Sorne join forces for Eat Your Young. Choreography from Jmy James Kidd launches 22 dancers in solid, like a rock backed by composer/instrumentalist Tara Jane O’Neil. Week 2 includes KyungHwa Lee considering the “ideal” body with the six dancers costumed in “body parts” from 3-D printers, Sebastian Hernandez considers sisterhood in Hypanthium, named for the rose part that holds nectar, and marching music accompanies Milka Djordjevich’s all female ensemble in Corps.  Week 3 has Butoh from Oguri set against Rachel Mason’s song cycle and a video environment, choreography by Genna Moroni for dancers and 30-foot tall figures observed through 3-D glasses conceived by light artist Christine Marie, while Carlon who recently set a large group work at the ocean in Santa Monica, this time sets dancers against a malleable cardboard landscape in fold, unford, refold.  Program details at https://www.redcat.org. REDCAT 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Thurs.-Sat., July 19-21, July 26-28, and Aug. 2-3, 8:30 p.m., $20, $40 for festival, $16 students.  https://www.redcat.org.

Clairobscur Dance. Photo by Tracy Kumono.
Clairobscur Dance. Photo by Tracy Kumono.

1.  Moving in the dark

Dance erupts after dark as the soaring exteriors of Disney Hall provide the stage for three L.A.-based contemporary companies selected for the third edition of Moves After Dark. Known as the choreographer as well as a musician with String Theory, Holly Rothschild leaves String Theory’s giant harps at home and emphasizes choreography with her company Strange and Elegant Dance. Her Under/Current has a sound score from Luke Rothschild that incorporates street sounds. Laurie Selfton’s Clairobscur Dance brings Concert Walls, backed by a scored by Bryan Curt Kostors. performed live. A 1920’s garden party is re-envisioned in Gatsby Redux from Mixed eMotion Theatrix led by Janet Rosten. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Tues.-Wed., July 24-25 & July 31-Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m., $30. https://www.musiccenter.org/moves.

Other dance of note: 

Variations from the upcoming Candide Overture are performed then repeated by other American Contemporary Ballet dancers. ACB artistic director/choreographer Lincoln Jones then critiques each dancer’s performance before an audience in Dancing School.  ACB Studios, 700 S. Flower St., downtown; Sun., July 22, 4 p.m., $40-$80.  https://acbdances.com.

American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.
American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Anastasia Petukhova.

Choreographer Achinta S. McDaniel and the dancers of Blue13 Dance Company bring Bollywood dance to the JAM Sessions.  The free lesson draws on jazz, hip hop, modern plus classical and contemporary South Asian dance. All skill levels are welcome to participate in the free class or to watch and enjoy the music and movement. Ford Theaters, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Mon., July 23, 7 p.m., free. https://fordtheatres.org

Blue 13 Dance Company. Photo by Anne Slattery.
Blue 13 Dance Company. Photo by Anne Slattery.

Warm summer nights mean it is time to dance under the stars with Dance DTLA. From now until September, the series, actually two different series, affords different ways to move on alternating Friday nights. Dance Downtown offers free beginner dance lessons at 7 p.m. followed by a chance to dance or to just watch and enjoy until 11 p.m. Alternate Fridays take on a more contemporary flavor with DJ Nights starting at 9 p.m. This Friday Dance Downtown spotlights salsa with future weeks devoted to disco, Bollywood and the eclectic 90’s Night. With the Music Center Plaza closed off for renovation, the action moves to nearby Grand Park. Specific locations each week and a complete schedule of dance styles for Dance Downtown and DJs curating DJ Nights at http://www.musiccenter.org/dancedtla. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., July 20, 7 p.m., free. http://www.musiccenter.org/dancedtla.

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