Remembering What Military Veterans Cannot Forget

Japanese drumming meets dance from India in Hollywood, dance about knowing and unknowing in Santa Monica, a Greek classic moves in West L.A., veterans’ memories under consideration in Hollywood, a dance-drenched revival in Westwood, several fundraisers to help dancers tour, and more SoCal dance this week. 

5.  When they just say no

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., $32-$37, $ seniors & students. $25 seniors, $22 under 30, $17 students. http://www.odysseytheatre.com. 

Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble in "Lysistrata Unbound". Photo by Enci Box.
Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble in “Lysistrata Unbound”. Photo by Enci Box.

4. A reprise for Reprise

Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, Reprise 2.0 reboots the popular showcase for classic Broadway musicals with the dance drenched Sweet Charity.  After more than a decade, the series closed due to hard financial times after the original founder Marcia Seligson left. After two years laying groundwork and developing a board, Seligson returned to helm this reboot, announcing a new season with three shows and attracting Tony award winning choreographer-director Kathleen Marshall to stage Sweet Charity as the opener. Having staged last summer’s Mamma Mia at the Hollywood Bowl, Marshall knows how to maneuver a full onstage orchestra, professional performers, and minimal sets (don’t expect helicopters to fly in) that let the book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Field, and yes, the dancing choreographed by Marshall to be the focus. Next up, another dance-fill musical Victor/Victoria in September with Grand Hotel–the Musical in October. UCLA’s Freud Playhouse, Macgowan Hall, 245 Charles E. Young Drive East, Westwood; Wed., June 20, then Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 2 & 8 p.m., Sun., 2 & 7 p.m., thru Sun., July 1, $75-$110, $30 students. www.reprise2.org. 

Reprise 2.0's "Sweet Charity" cast members (L-R) Barrett Foa, Laura Bell Bundy, Jon Jon Briones. Photo by Tom Drucker.
Reprise 2.0’s “Sweet Charity” cast members (L-R) Barrett Foa, Laura Bell Bundy, Jon Jon Briones. Photo by Tom Drucker.

3.  When drums meet  ankle bells

Known for their distinctive SoCal take on South Asian dance styles including Bollywood, Bhangra, Kathak along with ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance, choreographer Achinta S. McDaniel and her Blue13 Dance Company join the joyously percussive TAIKO PROJECT. The shared concert opens the summer seasons Rhythmic Relations 2018. Ford Theatres, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., June 23, 8 p.m., $25-$50. 323-461-3673. https://fordtheatres.org.

Blue13 Dance Company. Photo by Anne Slattery.
Blue13 Dance Company. Photo by Anne Slattery.

2.  So much to know

Awareness and knowing are related, but different. The former implying an openness or receptivity, the latter suggesting a more conclusory point of view. Choreographer Mallory Fabian’s new full-length work Unknow explores the concepts of getting to know and unknow. A CalArts alum, Fabian has performed with Rosanna Gamson’s WorldWide and Szalt, but here her own ensemble fabe takes on the exploration. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., June 22-23, 8:30 p.m., $25, $20 students & seniors. https://www.highwaysperformance.org.

fabe. Photo by Marissa Mooney.
fabe. Photo by Marissa Mooney.

1.  Remember not to forget

For almost three years, choreographer Arianne MacBean and her troupe The Big Show have conducted more than a dozen workshops with U.S. veterans exploring veterans’ memories and issues of remembrance and forgetting as a starting point to develop what has become the scripts for Collective Memory Project. Employing her signature use of dance, theater, text, music and visual imagery, MacBean promises an intimate event.   In an effort to bridge the space between civilians and the military, the audience is seated onstage with the performers. Working with the L.A.-based non-profit Veterans in Media and Entertainment, MacBean’s efforts with veterans already have been evident in powerful set of performances earlier this year involving vets and locally-based Diavolo Architecture in Motion. Ford Theatre, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Thurs.-Fri., June 28-29, 8:30 p.m., $25. 323-461-3673. https://fordtheatres.org. 

            Other dance of note:

Flamenco dancers Yolanda Arroyo and Angel Muñoz are joined by singers and musicians in Herencia Flamenca. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, E.L.A.; Sat., June 23, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 2:30 p.m. $30-$65. 323-343-6600. http://www.luckmanarts.org.

Summer nights mean time for Dance Downtown with dance lessons and open dancing to live music alternating Friday nights with DJ Nights. The dance component opens this week with the samba. Free lessons are followed by a chance to dance or watch and enjoy until 11 p.m.. With the Music Center Plaza closed off for renovation, the action moves to Grand Park. A full line up of dance styles and the DJ curators at http://musiccenter.org. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., June 22, 7 p.m., free. http://musiccenter.org.  

A combination of fun and fundraising, the proceeds of this event go toward Deborah Rosen & Dancers‘ upcoming travel to Korea and participation in the ING Dance Festival next month. The afternoon includes the modern dance troupe conducting dance lessons in ballroom, salsa, voguing and some company repertoire, plus live music from Steven Woodruff, refreshments with a Korean theme and a silent auction. Private residence, 627 W. California Blvd., Pasadena; Sun., June 24, noon, $30, $50 for two, $20 students. https://www.gofundme.com/DriftingInKorea.

Deborah Rosen & Dancers. Photo by Denise Leitner.
Deborah Rosen & Dancers. Photo by Denise Leitner.

A sneak peek at the new installation work by artistic director Genevieve Carlson and company member Drea Sobke highlights the annual LA Contemporary Dance Company gala. Chef Duke Gervais from Baldoria and live music from composer Robert Amjary are other attractions. Held at a distillery, all attendees must be over 21. The event benefits LACDC’S upcoming tours to New Zealand and Alaska. Scheduled performers include Christian Beasley, Hyosun Choi, Kate Coleman, Jamila Glass, Tess Hewlett, JM Rodriguez, Ryan Ruiz, Tiffany Sweat, and Angel Tyson . Greenbar Distillery, 2459 E. 8th St., downtown; Sun., June 24, 7 p.m., $75. https://www.artful.ly/store/events/15087.

LA Contemporary Dance Company. Photo by Taso Papadakis.
LA Contemporary Dance Company. Photo by Taso Papadakis.

Drawing on her Korean heritage, dancer Juli Kim is part of this benefit for the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival. Details and a complete line up of performers at http://www.lawtf.org. Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City; Sun., June 24, 8 p.m., $20 in advance, $25 at door, $18 seniors & students. 818-760-0408. http://www.lawtf.org.

Viver Brasil. Photo by Susan Goines.
Viver Brasil. Photo by Susan Goines.

Live Brazilian music and dance highlight this Viver Brasil fundraiser. Performance by the company dancers, refreshments and music by Glenn Red of Afro Funké & La Junta  complete the event. Private residence, 3014 Cavendish Dr., Cheviot Hills; Sat., June 23, 5 p.m. $150 suggested donation. http://viverbrasil.com/support. 

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