Movie star bio ballet in Santa Barbara; contemporary dance in Glendale, Pasadena, and Downtown LA; when artistic genius met modern dance genius in Beverly Hills; gong dancing in Sierra Madre; Mom Day fun in Topanga Canyon; intriguing escapism in Lincoln Heights; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at next week.

Live This Week (thru May 14)

Ménage à trois

 
The commanding choreography of Trisha Brown and Merce Cunningham found amplification in their collaborations with artist Robert Rauschenberg who provided sets and costumes. The chance to see two such danceworks–one from Cunningham and one from Brown–makes Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown and Cunningham Onstage an art and dance event of historical significance. The program stops off on a year long tour with the Trisha Brown Dance Company and the Merce Cunningham Trust bringing two celebrated Rauschenberg collaborations–Trisha Brown’s Set Reset (1983) and Cunningham’s Travelogue (1977). At the Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Thurs.-Fri., May 7-8, 7:30 pm, Sat., May 9, 2 & 7:30 pm, $42.90-$119.90. Dancing With Bob.

With a mountain view

 
Thoughtfully curated by Jamie Nichols and set with a pastoral view of the San Gabriel Mountains, the annual Brand Library Dance Series is a welcome sign of Spring’s arrival in SoCal dance. This week, Deborah Rosen and Dancers bring two contemporary works–GAIA, a solo excerpt from the full-length POLLEN, and their latest, ATZMI (the essence of myself), a reflection on identity and the courage in claiming and committing to one’s inner voice. At Brand Library & Art Gallery, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., May 9, 6 pm, free. Brand Library.

Four for the feet

 
Four world premieres come to the stage as Nancy Evans Dance Theatre presents Works 2026: WANTED. Jenn Logan and Nancy Evans Doede collaborated on the satiric For Me (Infamy), Ashleigh Doede goes for adventure In Pursuit, Jackie Pierce explores AI and humans in CAPTCHA, and Sophia Bernardo brings Charlatan. At ARC (A Room to Create), 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Sat., May 9, 8 pm, Sat., May 16, 7 pm (gala), Sun., May 10 & 17, 4 pm, $30 – $100, $25 students/seniors. Nancy Evans Dance Theatre.

For a certain kind of Mom

 
For an entertaining, halcyon alternative to crowded restaurants on Mother’s Day, consider MOMentum Place. Taking over a stage that hosts summer Shakespeare under the oak trees, this mostly annual event offers an array of dancers, acrobats, aerialists, and other entertainers curated by Lexi Pearl. Bring a picnic or opt for the spring-themed brunch (additional $45 charge). With access restored from both Pacific Coast Highway and the San Fernando Valley side, this year there are two routes to the fun. At Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Canyon; Sun., May 10, 2 pm, $50, $40 seniors, $30 students, $20 children, (optional brunch $45 at noon) MOMentum Place.

Bio–ballet

 
Silent film star, consummate comedian, songwriter, and controversial political figure, Charlie Chaplin’s life and work are the subject of the bio-ballet Chaplin from State Street Ballet’s Choreographed by Kevin Jenkins, William Soleau, and Edgar Zendejas, the ballet returns for two performances. Ahna Lipchik who created the central role in 2018 returns to again embody the iconic figure. At the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Fri., May 8, 7:30 pm, Sat., May 9, 2 pm, $39-$127, $20 student. State Street Ballet,

Early signs

 
In Emergent Forms, recognized choreographers James Gregg, T. Akuchu, and Dimitri Chamblas are joined by CalArts alum Caitlin Javech (MFA 2022), craft new dance for students of CalArts Dance. At REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., DowntownLA; Wed.-Thurs., May 13-14, 8 pm, also streamed Thurs., May 14, 8 pm, $22, $18 students, stream-$18, $15 students. CalArts Dance.

Island dance

 
Dancers and musicians committed to preserving the culture of the Southern Philippines, bring their artistry as the LA-based Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble performs. Kulintang in the name refers to a row of tuned, knobbed gongs and the enthralling music they produce and dance to. At the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Sat., May 9, 11 am, $20. Pakaraguian Kulintang.

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.

A Peek at Next Week (May 15-21)

 
Global Motion World Dance Company at the BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat.-Sun., May 16-17, 7:30 pm, $24, $21 students. Global Motion.

Mixed eMotion Theatrix — So Now You Know at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri., May 15, 8 pm, $30.75 (w/fee). Mixed eMotion Theatrix.

Music Center 38th Annual Spotlight — Grand Finale at the Music Center, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., DowntownLA; Sat., May 16, 8 pm, free w/reservation at Spotlight Grand Finale.

LA Swing Dance Posse (LASDP) at Brand Library & Art Gallery, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., May 16, 6 pm, free. Brand Library.

Shu Kinouchi and Hiroshi Kaneko — Wall-Body at 2245, LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Sat., May 16, 8 pm, Sun., May 17, 7 pm, $35. LA Dance Project.

Riverdance 30 — The Next Generation at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Fri., May 15, 7:30 pm, Sat., May 16, 2 & 7:30 pm., Sun., May 17, 1 & 6:30 pm, $44-$149. Riverdance.

Milka Djordjevich — Dance and Crafts at the Stompling Ground, 5453 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; Fri., May 15, 7 pm. Milka Djordjevich.