Celebrate Dance 2007

Once again, producer Jamie Nichols has skimmed the cream of the local dance scene, assembling seven resident troupes and one out-of-town guest company for this celebratory festival. This year’s participants offer contemporary dance (Backhausdance and TRIP Dance Theatre), nuevo flamenco (FUSION Dance Theater), Afro-American jazz (JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble), updated traditional dance (Viver Brasil Dance Company and Djanbazian Dance Company) and ballet (San Pedro City Ballet). From San Francisco, former Eifman Ballet dancer Viktor Kabaniaev brings his eponymous company. Among the ensembles are a clutch of Horton Award winners offering some of the most intriguing choreography and crowd-pleasing dancing to be gathered under one roof. For the participating companies, it’s a chance to dance in a major venue, something few local companies can afford alone. For audiences, it’s an enviable chance to sample some of L.A.’s best while only having to park once. Alex Theater, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sat., March 3, 8 p.m.; $16.50-$31.50. (818) 243-2539 or www.alextheater.org.