Ballet stars shine with protégés in Irvine; Venice Beach hosts two nights of innovative dance and performance; Korean dance celebrates that country’s liberation; adult ballet, jazz and ballroom claim center stage in Santa Monica; an al fresco finale goes disco downtown; more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
When stars align
Anyone who missed San Francisco Ballet’s Sasha de Sola and Harrison James in Balanchine’s Diamonds pas de deux at the Hollywood Bowl or American Ballet Theatre’s rising star Chloe Misseldine as Giselle at Segerstrom, good news! All three principal dancers are among the eight pros scheduled for this year’s Gala of the Stars benefiting the pre-professional company Festival Ballet. The multi-part event includes the main performance with De Sola and James from San Francisco Ballet, Misseldine plus corps dancers Michael de la Nuez, Brady Farrar, and Sylvia Squires from ABT, principal dancer Julian Mackay from Munich Germany’s Bayerisches Staatsballett, and principal dancer Violetta Keller from Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Preceding the professionals, promising pre-professionals perform in Inspired Young Protégés, and a ticketed gala dinner follows the main performance. Irvine Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Thurs., Aug. 7, 6 pm, $80-$95, dinner $175. Irvine Barclay.
Liberating
Korean artists assemble under the collective banner Mastery of Korean Performing Arts to mark the 80th Anniversary of Korean Liberation. Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Wed., July 30, 7 pm, free w/reservation at Mastery of Korean Performing Arts.
Taking it to the stage
Some are former professional dancers who still feel the pull of the stage. Others are dedicated amateurs seeking performance experience beyond their ballet classes. Both are represented among the dancers in this year’s Westside Ballet Adult Showcase Beyond the Box. Moss Theater, New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; Sat., Aug 2, 2 & 5 pm, $39.19 (w/fees). Eventbrite.
Another first
Scheduled to coincide with First Friday‘s open galleries and shops along nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd., the eclectic High Voltage series often includes dance. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., Aug. 1, 8 pm, $15 pre-sale, $20 at door. Electric Lodge.
It’s a ten
Ten performers, including dancers, each with ten minutes to win over the audience. It’s the mostly monthly, first Monday series, Max 10. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., Aug. 4, 8 pm, $15. Eventbrite.
Summer Dancing
Part performance, part participatory event, the free, al fresco summer series Dance DTLA concludes this summer’s season with disco with Andrew Vaca. A beginner/refresher lesson at 7 pm is followed by a chance to dance or just watch and enjoy until 11 pm. If this week is not your style, disco concludes the summer series next week. The Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown; Fri., Aug 1, 7 pm, free. Music Center.
A Peek at Next Week: (Aug. 7 to 13)
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet — Islands in the Sea at Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr., East LA; Sat., Aug. 16, 7 pm, $24-$63. Ticketmaster.
Chase Constantino — Priya (Dear) at Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 8-9, 8 pm, $30-$35. Highways Performance Space.