A “Year Ten” fete in Glassell Park, a dance festival closer in West L.A. and another is onstage in Long Beach, classic movie musical dances recreated downtown, street sports go cirque in Elysian Park, Mary Shelley’s monster appears in Beverly Hills, and more SoCal dance this week.
5. Start the day with Samba
The infectious rhythms of Brazil performed in the theater are just the start in Viver Brasil’s Celebrating Samba. After the official show, the fun sweeps onto the outdoor plaza as dancers continue with the musicians of MôForró. This family friendly event includes a community art project and a samba lesson open to all comers. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat., Feb. 8, 11 a.m., $5. https://thebroadstage.org.
4. What about Ginger?
Recreations of several classic Fred Astaire dance numbers and a new work from American Contemporary Ballet artistic director Lincoln Jones take the stage in Astaire Dances III. Metropolis Los Angeles, 877 S. Francisco St., Upper Level, downtown; Fri., Feb. 7, 8 p.m., Sat., Feb. 8, 5 p.m., Sun., Feb. 9, 2 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Fri., Feb. 14, 8 p.m., Sat., Feb. 15, 5 & 8 p.m., Sun., Feb. 16, 2 & 5 p.m., $45-$105. https://www.acbdances.com.
3. Making a home at a home base
Launched barely a year ago, The C-Ray Project returns to its debut venue for its latest PINS! This Long Beach-based contemporary dance company reflects founders Chatiera “Cookie”Ray and LaRonica “Ronnie” Southerland’s stated commitment to developing a home and a performance platform for dancers of color. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 7-8, 8 p.m., Sun., Feb. 9, 2 p.m., $20. http://www.lbplayhouse.org.
2. Nine for the 9th
With 45 performers ready to embody works from nine choreographers, the 9th So-Cal Dance Invitational arrives. Each year, the selected festival choreographers emerge from a submission process involving an artistic review committee. This year the festival welcomes work from Chris Baltes, Nannette Brodie, Dennzyl Green, Marie Hoffman, Hyoin Jun, Josh Romero, Evan Rosenblatt, Jennie Sustaita and Jana Taylor. Festival details at http://www.socaldanceinvitational.org. Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Feb. 8, 8 p.m., $25, $20 students, DRC members and veterans. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4504017.
1. Mnuchin and Thunberg moderated by “Marks”
A bastion for live theater for four decades, over the past four years the Odyssey Theatre also has extended a welcome mat for dance with Dance at the Odyssey, presenting five weeks of LA-based, mostly contemporary dance companies. This Week 5 closes the Dance at the Odyssey Festival with respected choreographer and educator Victoria Marks unveiling her latest Pastoral. The disconnect between traditional American concepts of the wide-open frontier and contemporary concerns about the environment, violence and power has been churning in Marks’ mind. Having gathered a diverse cast of dancers, she explores ideas of manifest destiny in today’s world and how to move forward without forgetting or getting trapped in looking back. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Fri.-Sat., Feb. 7-8, 8 p.m., Sun., Feb. 9, 2 p.m., $15-$25. http://odysseytheatre.com/.
Other dance of note:
Celebrating ten years of dance focused on strong women, MashUP Contemporary Dance Company hosts an anniversary party/gala. A collaborative performance highlights the evening with appetizers, beer, wine, and a silent auction. Live Arts LA, 4210 Panamint St., Glassell Park; Sat., Feb. 8, 6 p.m., $100. https://www.mashupdance.com/.
Just in case there are not enough interpretations already, director/composer Mat Sweeney and creative producer Sebastian Peters-Lazaro bring the talents of their eclectic performance ensemble Four Larks to bear on Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. The troupe has drawn high praise and enthusiastic audiences for its ongoing partnership with the L.A. Chamber Orchestra and was last seen conducting an immersive excursion through the afterlife with the Getty Villa environs standing in for ancient underworld in Katabasis. This new project draws on choreography and set design by Sebastian Peters-Lazaro with a dozen performers who double as musicians. The text and libretto from Sweeney promises a cautionary consideration of modern technology lurking in Shelley’s classic tale. The Wallis, Lovelace Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; opens Wed., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., then Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 2:30 & 8 p.m., Sun., 2:30 & 7:30 p.m., thru March 1, $60. https://thewallis.org/Frankenstein.
In its 41st and latest endeavor Volta, Cirque Du Soleil spotlights bicycle street sports and acrobatics associated with the world of BMX including a full-blown BMX park for what is billed as a “breath-taking finale of non-stop acrobatics on wheels.” The action will fill the signature Big Top here before moving to Orange county. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Elysian Park; Tues. thru Sun., March 8, various dates, times & ticket prices at https://cirk.me/VOLTA. Also at Orange County Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa; Wed., March 18 to Sun., April 19, various dates, times & ticket prices at https://cirk.me/VOLTA.
Entertaining cirque troupes seems to be a major Canadian export. Montreal’s Cirque Fabrique arrives in sunny SoCal with Blizzard conjuring a winter circus. Smothers Theater, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Thurs., Feb. 6, 8 p.m., $22-$45, $22 age 17 & under. https://arts.pepperdine.edu.
