Pat Taylor's JazzAntiqua Takes a Breath

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This week’s dance events include L.A. Contemporary Dance Company in Atwater Village, a flamenco from San Francisco in Hancock Park, a trio of edgy dance works downtown, tango in Cerritos, Primera Generación Dance Collective in Lincoln Heights and Pat Taylor’s Jazzantiqua Dance & Music Ensemble in West Adams.
5.  50 shades of flamenco
Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco celebrates its 50th anniversary season with El Latir del Tiempo/The Beat of Time. The visit includes new and reprised repertoire works choreographed by artistic director Carola Zertuche and appearances by guest artists from Spain. Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th St., Hancock Park; Sat., Nov. 12, 8 p.m., $25-$55. http://theatreflamenco.org.

Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco Photo of Carola Zertuche Photo by Christine Fiu
Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco Photo of Carola Zertuche Photo by Christine Fiu

4.  A trio of new dances
The fall edition of REDCAT Studio includes several dance infused works including choreographer Stephanie Zaletel and her company Szalt in Marshmallow Sea (WIP) set to Jonathan Snipes’ musique concrète, dancer/choreographer Bernard Brown and his bbmoves in Box inspired by a slave who mailed himself to freedom in a box with live music by pianist/composer Steven Gordon, and dancer/choreographer DaEun Jung blending Korean dance and Merce Cunningham-inspired chance in Byoul: Dance Created by chance Procedure 2 with singer/composer Melody Shim.  REDCAT at Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Sun.-Mon., Nov. 13-14, 8:30 p.m., $15, $12 students.  213-237-2800, http://redcat.org.
Szalt, part of REDCAT Studio Photo courtesy of Szalt
Szalt, part of REDCAT Studio Photo courtesy of Szalt

3.  L.A. choreographers take to the desert
Several L.A.-based companies are among this year’s participants in Choreography Under the Stars.  Divided into solos, duets, small and large ensembles, the annual choreography festival is well worth the drive to the desert.  This year’s selected choreographers include Joshua Beamish from MOVETHECOMPANY, Mariana Oliveira from The Union Project Dance Company, Angela Dice Nguyen from The MoveMessenger(s), Laura Karlin from Invertigo Dance Theatre, Nicole Haskins from Smuin Ballet, Ting-Ting Chang from T.T.C. Dance, Seda Aybay from Kybele Dance Theater, Jamie Carbetta Hammond from Pony Box Dance Theatre, Melissa Barak from Barak Ballet and Will Johnson & Marissa Osato from Entity Contemporary Dance. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert; Sat., Nov. 12, 7 p.m., $17-$42. 760-340-2787, http://mccallumtheatre.com.
Barak Ballet, part of Choreography Under the Stars Photo by Sarah Ferguson
Barak Ballet, part of Choreography Under the Stars Photo by Sarah Ferguson

2.  Locavore dance and a NYC visitor
With the exception of NY choreographer Gregory Dolbashian, L.A. Contemporary Dance Company stays true its name in its fall repertoire concert. Under the banner Force Majeure LACDC unveils new works from locally-based choreographers Christian Denice, Micaela Taylor, and LACDC’s current artistic director Genevieve Carson. One of the city’s most respected companies, LACDC made its mark presenting a range of choreographers, not just the artistic director’s work.  After ten years, the founding artistic director stepped aside and this atypical venue selection, known for its plays not dance, may reflect some of Carson’s vision for the company as well as a chance to view her choreography. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village; Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 10-12, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 13, 6 p.m., $25, $20 students. http://forcemajeurelacdc.brownpapertickets.com.
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1.  Is it time to Breathe again? 
JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble’s longish and somewhat unwieldy name  reflects artistic director Pat Taylor’s longstanding commitment to presenting jazz influenced contemporary dance with live music, usually small jazz ensembles, rather than recordings (although she has made fine use of vintage jazz recordings in the past).  Breath pays tribute to African American struggles as a metaphor for larger issues of the hopes and struggles of humanity. In addition to Taylor’s choreography, Cynthia Gutierrez Garner is the guest choreographer. and Trevor Ware is the musical director. The concert and its theme arrives in the wake of the election with its dueling charges of voter suppression in minority communities and voter fraud reflecting the sad reality that 50 plus years after the Voters Rights Act, African American aspirations for equal rights are still engaged in basic struggles. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., West Adams; Sat., Nov. 12, 8 p.m., $20-$30. http://itsmyseat.com/events/575732.html.
Other dance of note:
Literally translated as “of color is”, (de) Color-Es showcases artists of color and second generational experience in the U.S. The program features Pavel Acevedo, Jobel Medina & Joey Navarrete, Nhu Nguyen, Yanina Orellana, Myrrhia Rodriguez, Crystal Sepúlveda, and the host company Primera Generación Dance Collective. The evening’s two events include performances and durational art exhibits. Human Resources, 410 Cottage Home, Lincoln Heights; Sat., Nov. 12, 6 & 8:30 p.m., $18. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/2676620.
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Six dances with as many different choreographers, dance styles, themes and music comprise CSULB Dance in Concert. The faculty choreographers include Rebecca Bryant, Lorin Johnson, Rebecca Lemme, Sophie Monat, and guest artists Summer Brown and Laurel Jenkins. California State University Long Beach, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Wed.-Fri., Nov. 16-18, 8 p.m., Sat., Nov. 19, 2 & 8 p.m.; $20, $16 seniors & students. 562-985-7000, http://csulb.edu/dance.
 
Rebecca Lemme, part of CSULB Dance in Concert Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lemme
Rebecca Lemme, part of CSULB Dance in Concert Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lemme

To call a tango program Desire may be redundant, but that’s the program Estampas Porteñas Tango Company brings to two local venues.  Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Dr., Cerritos; Sun., Nov. 13, 3 p.m., $35-$75. 562-467-8818, http://cerritoscenter.com. Also at Pepperdine University, Smothers Theatre, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Tues., Nov. 22, 8 p.m., $25-$50, 310-506-4522. http://arts.pepperdine.edu.
All black semi-formal attire is requested for Evolution of Dance: Part 5 with Go To Heaven Dance Company. The event funds the troupe’s scholarship program. Celebrity Center, 5930 Franklin Ave., Hollywood; Sat., Nov. 12, 6 p.m., $20. http://gotoheavendancecompany.com.

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