The Acquired Taste of Reality

Bountiful ballet in Long Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine; an assembly of LA women choreographers in West Hollywood; seasonal instruments dance in Venice; Canadian cirque downtown; contemporary authenticities in El Sereno; border exploitation at USC; more SoCal dance this week, plus a peek at next week.

Live This Week

Far flung females

Deborah Brockus is known as a choreographer and leader of her contemporary troupe BrockusRED, yet perhaps her greatest impact on the SoCal dance community is her work as a producer of dance events and festivals. Launching the fall season, Brockus Presents Women in Concrete celebrating women choreographers who create and survive in the far-flung LA dance scene. The matinee showcases Charlotte Katherine, Celeste Launza, Alondra Perez, and Sarah Stanley. The two evenings offer work from Andrea Burr, Mallory Fabin, Maura Townsend, Janelle Burgess and Brockus. Plummer Park, Fiesta Hall, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; Fri., Sept. 13, 7:30 pm, Sat., Sept. 14, 2:30 & 7:30 pm, $15 cash at door or Venmo: @brockusprojectstudios (note day and time you are attending).

A man and woman lounge on concrete blocks
BrockusRED. Photo by Deborah Brockus

Toe fest

Two performances and an outdoor fair with live music, food truck, ballet photography exhibits, and ballroom demonstrations offer a full day of activities for 2024 Ballet Festival spotlighting SoCal’s rich trove of ballet dancers and choreographers. Announced participants include former NY City Ballet soloist Kathryn Morgan and Sacramento Ballet alum Mate Szentes in George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Hollywood Ballet’s principal dancers and co-artistic directors Petra Conti and Eris Nezha in Swan Lake White Swan Pas de Deux, NYCB’s Rachel Hutsell is joined by Eduard Sargsyan and Alexander Romanchikov in SoCal Ballet Scene’s setting of Don Quixote, Act I. Participating contemporary ballet companies and choreographers include Chasen Greenwood’s The Realm Company, Anaheim Ballet, Claire Buehler, Jeff Raschiatore, Sadie Black, and Masha Cherezova. Carpenter Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Sept. 14, 2 & 7 pm, $46.50-$66.50 Socal Ballet Scene.

A dancer in white is held by her partner
Petra Conti in “White Swan Pas de Deux.” Photo by Reed Hutchinson

Faces to meet faces we meet

The latest from Entity Contemporary Dance, in honor of all the times I wasn’t myself, ponders the puzzle of  what is one’s authentic self amid forces to alter that for the outside world and others. Choreographed by co-artistic directors Will Johnston and Marissa Osato, the work marks the company’s 15th anniversary. The dancers are Karen Chuang, Emily Crouch, Aika Doone, Shiori Kamijo, Grayson McGuire, Vickie Roan, and Diana Schoenfield. Stomping Ground LA, 5453 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; Fri-Sat., Sept. 13-14, 8 pm. $30. Entity Temporary Dance.

Dancers draped around each other
Entity Contemporary Dance. Photo by Mike Esperanza

Lucky 7

The Canadian force of nature known in English (and French) as The 7 Fingers (Les 7 doights de la main) blends dance with acrobatics, along with lots of humor. Visits in recent years solidly established the troupe’s appeal and distinctive identity, far more impressive than its usual comparison to the bigger tent Cirque du Soleil. Yes, there is cirque, but so much more, especially more dance. The troupe brings all their powers to Duel Reality opening for a two week run on a Music Center main stage. Ahmanson Theatre, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Thurs.-Fri., Sept. 12-13 & 19-20, 8 pm, Sat., Sept. 14 & 21, 2 & 8, pm, Sun., Sept. 15, 1 & 6:30 pm, Sun., Sept. 22, 1 pm, $25-$125, Center Theatre Group.

Cirque performer in the air
7 Fingers (Les 7 Doigts de la Main). Photo courtesy of the artists

Consider the possibilities

Explore the possibilities of two dancers with different blends of live music in Hatsu-kaze (First Autumn Breeze), this season’s installment from Bodyweather Laboratory. For the second of two weekends titled Sparrows on the Road Join the Flock, dancer/hosts Oguri and Roxanne Steinberg are joined on Friday by saxophonist Patrick Shiroshi and percussionist Breeze Smith, on Saturday by Alicia Byer on clarinet and Kozue Matsumoto on koto, and on Sunday with Vinny Golia on woodwinds and Paul Chavez on digital and original instruments. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri.-Sat., Sept. 13-14, 8 pm, Sun., Sept. 15, 3 pm, free w/reservation at Eventbrite.

A dancer and a trumpeter
Oguri. Photo courtesy of the artist

No tutu for U2

The dancers are superbly trained, able to shift seamlessly from the demands of pointe shoes to gritty contemporary moves, and director Dwight Rhoden’s choreography demands such shifts for his Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Last season, the company brought a solo set to music by U2, and since then, Rhoden expanded the work. Set on 16 dancers, the new, longer version, For Crying Out Loud, is the calling card for this 30th anniversary season tour. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Sept. 14, 7:30 pm, $44.07-$134.47. SCFTA.

A group of dancers look stage right
Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Bill Herbert

Seen a ghost?

In Ghostly Labor, choreographer Vanessa Sanchez and La Mezcla tackle the history of labor in the U.S./Mexico borderlands. Sanchez and her dance and music ensemble draws on tap dance, Mexican zapateado, son jarocho, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms to explore the exploitation of the vulnerable who just want to work. This marks the LA premiere after its December 2023 debut in San Francisco. Bovard Auditorium, USC, 3551 Trousdale Pkwy., University Park; Thurs., Sept. 19, 7 pm, free w/reservation at Eventbrite.

Women with broom raise their hand
La Mezcla. Photo courtesy of the artists

Summerfest

Whether known as the San Pedro ♥ Festival of the Arts or by its original name TriArt Festival, for 18 years the original producer Joe Caccavalla< and for more than ten years choreographer/producer Louise Reichlin gathered representative performers across SoCal’s dance spectrum for this late summer fest. This year, Reichlin and her team have 18 professional and pre-professional companies lined up to perform including Degas Dance Studio Performance Team, Dhoon Dance, Encore Dance Company, Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, Jose Costas Contempo Ballet, Kairos Dance Company, Kindra Windish, Alice Lousen, Passion Flamenca Los Angeles, Re:borN Dance Interactive/Reborn Arts, Sahlala Dancers, SINDHOOR & NATYAVEDA – Navarasa, Southern California Dance Academy, The Mcculla Movement, Southern California Dance Theatre, Louise Reichlin & Dancers/Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers, Rajasthani Caravan, and Yusuf Nasir. Peck Park, upper lawn next to the Community Center, 560 N Western Ave, San Pedro; Sat., Sept 21, 1-4:15 pm, free. TriArt Festival.

Dancers in South Asian costumes
San Pedro ♥ Festival of the Arts. Photo courtesy of the artists

Dancing with Greeks

This summer’s Getty Villa theater offering is a world premiere considering possibly the least known hero of the Trojan War. Tiffany Rea-Fisher provides the choreography for Classical Theater of Harlem’s Memnon, written by Will Power and directed by Carl Cofield. And no, Memnon is not a nickname for Agamemnon, a much better known and completely different fellow. These excellent late summer theatrical excursions provide a special experience, live and in an outdoor amphitheater, just as the Greeks intended. Getty Villa outdoor theater, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Thurs.-Sat., thru Sept. 28, 8 pm, $45 (Thurs.), $50 (Fri.), $55 (Sat.), $40 students & seniors (Thurs. only). Getty.

dancer in front of scaffolding
The cast of Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “Memnon.” Photo by Craig Schwartz Photography

Having a party

In ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera, the dancers of Ballet Folklorico Ollin join with the singers and musicians of Mariachi Angeles de Pepe Martinez Jr., Julian Torres, Los Del Momento and Las Colibrí to mark Las Colibri’s 15th anniversary, hence, a quinceañera. Come early for the DJ and cocktail hour at 6:30 pm, followed by the program loosely tracking the religious and celebratory dancing aspects that mark the occasion. The Ford Theater, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Sept. 14, 8 pm, $53-$100. The Ford.

Four female Mexican folkloric dancers swirl multi-colored skirts
Ballet Folklorico Ollin. Photo courtesy of the artists.

Dances with guitars

The flamboyant Spanish guitarist Benise is the main attraction, but his shows always bring a bounty of dancers adept at moves beyond the main calling card of flamenco. This tour dubbed Fiesta! stops at three local venues. Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside; Fri., Sept. 14, 7:30 pm, $35-$96. Tickets. Also at Fred Kvli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Fri., Sept. 20, 7:30 pm, $36-$115. Tickets. Also at Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Sat., Sept. 21, 7:30 pm, $48.50-$101.50. Tickets.

A guitarist and a flamenco dancer
Benise and dancer. Photo courtesy of the artists

Feathers will fly

The touring ensemble World Ballet Company, flies into SoCal, alighting at four venues in the next week with a full-length Swan Lake. Irvine Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Thurs.-Fri., Sept. 19-20, 7 pm, $64-$110. Irvine Barclay; also at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Ave., Glendale; Sat., Sept. 21, 7 pm, $58-$123. Ticketmaster. Also at Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Sun., Sept. 22, 7 pm, $57-$132. Granada Theatre. Also at Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Sun., Sept. 25, 7 pm, $58-$143. Ticketmaster

A dancer in black leaps before dancers in white and black tutus
World Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists

How they see themselves

A series of multi-media vignettes under the umbrella Cartography of Hope: A Journey of Change is the debut performance by Invertigo Dance’s much admired program, Dancing Through Parkinson’s. Under the direction of Rachel Whiting, the show Cartography of Hope, explores dancers’ hopes and self-portraits. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Sat., Sept. 14, 7:30 pm, Sun., Sept. 15, 2 pm, $28.52, Highways Performance.

South Asian dancers in blue and red
Kathak Kala Kendra Academy. Photo courtesy of the artists

South Asian fest

The Soorya Foundation for Performing Arts hosts professional and pre-professional ensembles in the 2024 Indian Dance Festival celebrating South Asian dance. Guests from India include Namita Bodaji from Mumbai and Hari and Chetana from Bangalore. Other guests and local ensembles include Laya Naadham School of Music, Kathak Kala Kendra Academy, Soorya Ensemble, Nataraja Arts Academy, SciArtsRUs,  ShivaShakthi Natyalaya, and Ramya Ranganathan.  TAXCO Theater, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park; Sat.-Sun., Sept. 14-15, 3:30 pm, free w/reservation at Eventbrite.

LatinX fest

This family-friendly celebration of LatinX Heritage Month includes Bolivian dance from Diablada Espectacular Zulemar de Bolivia. A full line up of the afternoon events are at the website. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Sept., 14, 3 pm, free. SCFTA.

A dancer in a blue kimono
Azuma Sumako II. Photo courtesy of the artist

Tribute to a teacher

Venerated performer, choreographer and teacher Azuma Sumako II died in July 2020, a pandemic time that did not permit a respectful gathering. Her students and members of her school Azuma Kotobuki Kai postponed a tribute to their sensei until now. Sumako’s choreography performed by her students, live taiko from Tōgen Daiko, and messages from leaders in Japan will be part of this Memorial Tribute to Sensei Azura Sumako II. Some tickets are available to the public. James Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance; Sun., Sept. 15, 1 pm, limited ticket availability at kikusue.azuma@gmail.com.

A Peek at Next Week (September 20-26)

Classic Tap! Rhythm and Style — Celebrating Hollywood Legends at Moss Theatre, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; Sun., Sept. 22, 2 pm, $35, $17.50 youth. Eventbrite.

Gregory Maqoma — Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro at UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Westwood; Sat., Sept. 21, 8 pm, $42.08 – $63.37. CAP UCLA

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago at Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman College, 415 N. Glassell, Orange; Fri., Sept. 20, 7:30 pm, $41.25-$78. Musco Center for the Arts.

Dancers in blue reaching
BODYTRAFFIC. Photo courtesy of the artists.

BODYTRAFFIC — This Picture Reminds Me of You at Audrey Irmas Pavilion, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3643 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; Thurs., Sept. 26, 7:30 pm, $60. BODYTRAFFIC.

Heidi Duckler Dance 39th anniversary celebration — Dance in the Light of the Harvest Moon at Loyola Law School, 919 Albany St., downtown; Sat., Sept. 21, 5 pm. $300 and up, Heidi Duckler.

National Dance Day at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Sept, 21, 1 pm, free. SCFTA.

Lineage Dance — Lineage Live at Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena; Fri.-Sat., Sept. 20-21, 7 pm, Sun., Sept., 22, 5 pm, $40, $30 seniors/students. Lineage Performing Arts Center.

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