Lights, Camera, Music, Chorus, Dancers…Action!

Argentinean tango in Northridge, contemporary choreography in Long Beach, World dance in Santa Monica, a dance film fest in Hollywood, a preview of the Merce Cunningham’s centennial in Hancock Park, and more SoCal dance this week.

5.  Show and tell

Combining her South African heritage and degrees in African dance from the University of Cape Town and in choreography from UCLA, Chantal Cherry curates this edition of Dance ‘N Show, showcasing works in progress. Scheduled choreographers include Jade Charon, Ghislain Grellier, Pearl Marill, Paola Escobar, Gabriel Jimenez, and Cherry. Pieter, 420 W. Avenue 33, Lincoln Heights; Sat., Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m., admission is a snack contribution to the post performance reception. https://pieterpasd.com.

Jade Charon Company. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Jade Charon Company. Photo courtesy of the artists.

4.  Taking the chair 

 He is the inaugural appointment to the Alma Hawkins Memorial Chair with the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures, but at this event choreographer Salia Sanou will offer a solo dance piece plus short videos of his work followed by a Q&A about contemporary dance in Africa and his work as director of a choreographic development center in Burkino Faso. We Live In Space, 2520 W. Jefferson Blvd., Jefferson Park; Sat., Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Admisson is snack, food or drinks for the post performance potluck. RSVP requested to wsouly@gmail.com.

Salia Sonou. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Salia Sonou. Photo courtesy of the artist.

3.  A quick World tour

 Reflecting the range of World Dance offered by the dance department, Santa Monica College’s Global Motion takes the stage with works by faculty choreographers Laura Canellias, Keali’i Ceballos, Jennifer Jesswein, Angela Jordan, and Sri Susilowati. Guest choreographers DaEun Jung, Peter DeGuzman, and Alondra Ramirez also contribute works along with student choreographers Michael Hale and Milo Poon Fear. Dance from West Africa, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico and Philippines are scheduled along with jazz, hip hop and waltz. The Broad Stage, SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Fri., Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Nov. 17, 4 & 7:30 p.m., $20 in advance, $23 at door. www.smc.edu/eventsinfo.

Global Motion. Photo courtesy of the artist. `
Global Motion. Photo courtesy of the artist. `

2.  A quick tour to Argentina

Led by third generation tango dancer and choreographer Natalia Hills, Tangueros del Sur arrives from Argentina. An alum of Forever Tango, Hills applied those lessons to her own background. The sensuous, fleet-footed dancers are accompanied by live music. The Soraya at Cal State University Northrdige, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Sat., Nov. 17, 8 p.m., $34-$79. https://www.thesoraya.org/calendar/details/tangueros-del-sur.

Tangueros del Sur. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Tangueros del Sur. Photo courtesy of the artists.

1.  Bringing it all together

Premieres from faculty choreographers plus guest choreographer Mark Morris’ Gloria highlight this dance concert, a major collaboration of dance with live music and chorus under the banner FusionThe dancers from CSULB’s respected dance department are joined by the Bob Cole Conservatory Symphony led by conductor Johannes Müller Stosch and the CSULB Chamber Choir led by Jonathan Talberg. Faculty choreographers making contributions include Rebecca Bryant, Rebecca Lemme, Julio Medina and Andrew Vaca. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 16-17, 8 p.m., $25, $20 seniors & students. https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/997077.

CSULB's "Fusion". Photo by Gregory R.R. Crosby.
CSULB’s “Fusion”. Photo by Gregory R.R. Crosby.

            Other dance of note:

Cultures of the Middle East are explored through dance by Qabila Folkdance Company. Artist reception and refreshments follow the performance. Studio A Dance, 2306 Hyperion Ave., Silverlake; Sat., Nov. 17, 4:30 & 8 p.m., $20 in advance, $25 at door. https://nightsofarabe.eventbrite.com.

A harbinger of upcoming centennial activities celebrating the life and legend of the late modern dance choreographer Merce Cunningham, the exhibit Clouds and Screens, includes two large works by Andy Warhol and Charles Atlas, both artists associated with Cunningham’s company. The installation also includes two early videos of Cunningham’s work with more to come during the exhibition’s run including performances. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; Thurs.-Tues., thru March 31, $25, $21 students & seniors (museum admission). http://www.lacma.org/event/memprev_merce2.

Merce Cunningham exhibit. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Merce Cunningham exhibit. Photo courtesy of the artist.

At the end of the month Miami City Ballet returns with its Nutcracker which uses local children, many drawn from the Trudi Zipper Dance Institute. This Nutcracker Prelude offers a preview with the children from Youth Ballet and Dance Academy students. Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Sat., Nov. 17, 2 p.m. $125, $25-$50 children. https://www.colburnschool.edu/calendar/2018-11-17.

For its second year, the Divulge Dancers’ Film Festival has lined up 28 features, shorts and videos focused on dance and dancers. Topics include character dancers in the Royal Danish Ballet to the underground transgender “ball” scene. Details on the full array of films festival and related events at the website. Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood; Sat., Nov. 17, 2-11:30 p.m., day screenings $9, evening screening $18, all event pass $32. https://www.divulgedancersfilmfestival.com.

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