Ann Haskins

Pastorality

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Garden dancing in Santa Monica; “escape” artists persist in Lincoln Heights; South Asian dance in Santa Monica; contemporary dance in West LA and Van Nuys; dance films in Downtown LA; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at next week.

Live This Week (thru April 9)

 

Mesmerizing

 
From flashy appearances in the Emmy and the Grammy awards, and America’s Got Talent, to years of world wide tours, the jaw-dropping, split second choreography of artistic director Jacques Heim and his LA-based Diavolo/Architecture in Motion has earned popular and informed acclimation. The company is home, reprising Escape that finds the dancers and gymnasts in a visceral exploration of individuals trying to break free. The tv appearances may have spread the word, but can’t begin to capture the interplay of the movers and crescendo of powerful movement in a live Diavolo performance. This chance for the live experience of Diavolo should not be missed. At L’Espace Diavolo, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 6 pm, thru Sun., June 14, $39. Diavolo-Veterans Project.

Two dancers hold a third
Diavolo/Architecture in Motion. Photo by George Simian

Catching up with the Brits

 
The daughter of much admired Bharatanatyam teacher/choreographer Viji Prakash and a long-time LA presence in her own right, Mythili Prakash leads an all-female ensemble in She’s Auspicious. The full-length dance and live music performance explores the lines between goddess and woman, along with the often starkly contrasting treatment afforded to each. Among the most respected contemporary Bharatanatyam artists, Prakash knows how to tell a story with detail, perception, and wit, plus that live music. Prior London performances of She’s Auspicious garnered one of the four nominations for best new dance performance from Britain’s Olivier Awards. The awards are set for April 12, this performance is at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica: Sat., April 4, 7 pm, $40-$75. She’s Auspicious

A dancer in green
Mythili Prakash. Photo courtesy of the artist

All in a golden afternoon

 
Enjoy a walk through this new garden designed by Jill Jacobson-Bennett as Donna Sternberg & Dancers dance In the Garden. After moving among the pathways and foliage of this recently unveiled space, the dancers and audience can chat with the landscape designer. At Miles Memorial Playhouse exterior, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; Sat., April 4, 3 pm, $17.85. Donna Sternberg & Dancers.

Dancers under a slatted arbor
Donna Sternberg & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists

When a body meets a body…

 
As part of its international cultural exchange with the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, this venue hosts contemporary artist Silvia Gribaudi’s R.OSA – 10 Exercises for New Virtuosities performed by Claudia A. Marsicano. Already presented internationally, the solo work strikingly challenges perceptions of beauty, performance, and the female body. At Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; Thurs., April 9, 8 pm, free with RSVP at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz.

A woman in a blue swimsuit and long hair
Claudia Marsicano in “R.OSA – 10 Exercises for New Virtuosities.” Photo courtesy of the artist

Something old, something new

 
For the finale of its residency with students of CHAMPS (Charter High School of the Arts), Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers joins CHAMPS student dancers for an afternoon of contemporary dance. The program includes Heart, the newest work from artistic director/choreographer Louise Reichlin, and selections from Tennis Dances, Reichlin’s first work for her company in 1979. At CHAMPS Blackbox Theater, 6842 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; Thurs., April 9, 3:30 pm, free, reservation optional at CHAMPS Charter High School.

Dancers in white with tennis rackets and balls
LA Choreographers & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists

Dance on film

 
Following up the recent showing of student works, Heidi Duckler Dance’s rooftop dance cinema series, 4D Dance Films, showcases independent dance film makers. At the Bendix Building Rooftop, 12065 Maple Ave., Suite 1101B, Downtown LA Arts District; Fri., April 3, 7 pm, $10. 4D Dance Films.

A Peek at Next Week (April 10-16)

 
Adie San Diego — Terms of Agreement at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., April 10-11, 8 pm, $28, $20 students/seniors. Adie San Diego.

Versa Style Street Dance Company — Origins of Street Dance at the Ebell Theater, 4401 8th Street, Hancock Park; Sun. April 12, 4:30 pm, free with reservation at Versa Style Street Dance Company

American Ballet Theatre — Sylvia at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs.-Fri., April 9-10, 7:30 pm, Sat., April 11, 2 & 7:30 pm., Sun., April 12, 1 pm, $59-$169. American Ballet Theatre – Sylvia

Dancer with bow and arrow pointed at man on ground
American Ballet Theatre’s “Sylvia.” Photo courtesy of the artists

Masha Cherezova — Mutate at LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., LA Downtown Arts District; Sat., April 11, 8 pm, $30-$500. Masha Cherezova.

Los Angeles Ballet — 20th Anniversary Gala at Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Sat., April 11, 5:30 pm cocktails, 6:30 dinner & performance, $1,000-$2,500. Los Angeles Ballet gala

Ann Haskins

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Ann Haskins has written about dance for L.A. Weekly since shortly after it began publishing. She also has written about local and national dance for Pointe Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. View, Coast Magazine, the Daily News, and the Herald Examiner. Among her broadcast projects, Ann hosted Inside Theater on KCRW-FM and contributed dance and theater features to both KLON-FM and KUSC-FM. She has received two Horton Awards from the Los Angeles Dance Resource Center for her coverage of dance in Los Angeles.

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