A Broadway legend twirls into Costa Mesa, contemporary dance premieres in Santa Monica, folkloric dance for the season in East LA and Northridge, more Nutcrackers all over, local dance news, a peek at next week, and more SoCal dance.

Live This Week

New dance digs

The announced program has shifted a bit, but as Jacob Jonas/The Company settles into performance mode in their new space, there will be a premiere. The media release lists two new works, In a Rush to Do Nothing and Mind Cry while the website lists Three Acts of Randomness. Whatever the program, it offers an opportunity for the accomplished, athletic dancers to display their mastery of Jonas’ distinctive blend of contemporary and street dance. The Water Garden, 1601 Cloverfield Blvd., Suite 1000N, Santa Monica; Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 8-10, 7:30 pm, $75, $35 35years & under, $15 artists/students. Jacob Jonas/The Company.

’Tis the season #1

Artistic director Gema Sandoval and her Danza Floricanto/USA return with Navidad en el Barrio, their high-spirited, family-friendly celebration of Mexican traditions of the Christmas season. After 18 years, the program is highly polished fun and flourish, displaying the variety of dances inspired by Mexico’s many regions. Floricanto Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Calle Pedro Infante, E.LA, Sat., Dec. 10, 7:30 pm, $15 in advance, $20 at door. Danza Floricanto/USA.

’Tis the season #2

Dance, music and song celebrating the season return as Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles joins with Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar in Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico. Performances at two local venues. The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Sat., Dec. 10, 8 pm, Sun., Dec. 11, 3 pm, $44-$99. The Soraya. Also at Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange; Wed.-Thurs., Dec. 21-22, 7:30 pm, $21.50-$83. Musco Center for the Arts.

A showstopper

West Side Story’s original Anita, Chicago’s original Velma, not to mention her show-stealing turns in Bye, Bye, Birdie, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Sweet Charity, Chita Rivera brings her show Chita, The Rhythm of My Life for one performance. Backed by her long-time trio and with some yet-to-be-identified special guests, Rivera reflects on her long career and recreates notable moments. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sun., Dec. 11, 2 pm, $39-$99. SCFTA.

SoCal Dance Notes

Remix, a documentary short from LA choreographer Karen Goodman streams free as an Official Selection in the East Europe International Film Festival. Mon.-Sat., Dec. 12-17. Info at Fusion Film Festivals and Yiddish Dances.

Two LA dance artists received well-deserved national attention when Dance/USA named Danza Floricanto/USA artistic director Gema Sandoval and Gabriel “MoFundamentals” Gutiérrez 2022 Artist Fellows. Each honoree receives an unrestricted $30,000 fellowship grant supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Dance/USA.

After so much sad news of studios closing during the pandemic, including Pieter Performance Space, it’s a hopeful sign that Pieter has announced it has a new space in Lincoln Heights. Expect more details soon. Pieter Performance Space.

The LA-based Afro-Brazilian dance company Viver Brasil announced the elevation of Associate Artistic Director Vera Passos to co-Artistic Director. Interim Executive Director Natalie Marrero is now Executive Director. Viver Brasil.

LA Dance Project is spending much of December in Qatar with three other dance companies and two filmmakers participating in Festival in Motion. The arts festival from Dec. 5 to 20 was organized by museums in Qatar, timed to coincide with the ongoing FIFA soccer tournament, and is curated by LA Dance Project co-founders Benjamin Millepied and Nico Muhly. LA Dance Project, Compagnie O, Mazelfreten, and Mythili Prakash are performing in multiple museums and world heritage sites. Info at Marhaba.

A Peek at Next Week

Palm Springs Dance Project & InMovement Dance Company–The Pied Piper At Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Barista Rd., Palm Springs; Sat., Dec. 17, 5:30 pm, $15-$25. Eventbrite.

Diavolo/Architecture in Motion One time streaming of SOS: Signs of Strength. Dec. 22, 5 pm, $20-$30 Diavolo.

And This Week’s Professional Nutcrackers

(See full 2022 Nutcracker round-up at Nuts and More Nuts!)

Los Angeles Ballet — At Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach; Sat., Dec. 10, noon & 5 pm, Sun., Dec. 11, noon. Also at UCLA Royce Hall, Westwood; Fri., Dec. 16, 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 17-18, noon & 5 pm. Also at Dolby Theatre, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs., Dec. 22, 2 pm, Fri., Dec. 23, 2 & 8 pm, Sat., Dec. 24, noon, Mon., Dec. 26, 2 pm, $44-$144, discounts for seniors, students, children under 12 years, & military. Los Angeles Ballet.

American Ballet Theatre — At Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Fri., Dec. 9, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 10 & 17, 2 pm & 7 pm, Sun., Dec 11 & 18, 12:30 & 5:30 pm, Wed.-Thurs., Dec. 14-15, 7 pm, $29-$250. 714-556-2787, SCFTA.

Inland Pacific Ballet — At Lewis Family Playhouse, Victory Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga; Sat., Dec. 10, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 11, 2 pm., $70-$86 Also at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; Sat., Dec. 17, 2 pm & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 18, 2 pm $24-$84, discounts for seniors, students, groups & children 12 & under. Info & tickets at Inland Pacific Ballet.

American Contemporary Ballet – The Nutcracker Suite at ACB Studios, ACB Studios, Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., 28th Floor, downtown; Thur. & Fri., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 & 5 pm, thru Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 22-23, 8 pm, then Sat. Dec. 24, 1 pm $65-$140. American Contemporary Ballet.

Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre — Nutcracker excerpts in Joys of the Season. At Pepperdine University, Smothers Theater, Sat., Dec. 10, 8 pm, Sun., Dec. 11, 2:30 pm, $25-$65. Pepperdine University.