Blue13's Bollywood Dreams

Bollywood, that colorful and exuberant fusion of classical Indian dance and the Hollywood musical, has definitely gained a following outside of India. And its arrival as a mainstream dance form in the U.S. was cemented by a rousing example in this season’s So You Think You Can Dance? Surfing the rising tide of Bollywood’s popularity, choreographer Achinta S. McDaniel and her locally based troupe offer up a full evening with a slumber-party theme. The evening’s title, “Khel!,” translates from the Hindi as “play,” and promises to explore a world of games and bedtime stories. In keeping with the slumber-party theme, audience members are invited to come in sleepwear (with prizes for the best costumes). And a pre-show festival starting at 6 p.m. promises a Bollywood world of musicians, vendors, games and artisans preceding the performance. The action doesn’t stop when the dancing ends. Audience members over 21 can bring their show tickets to Sunset Strip’s Roxy for substantially discounted admission to the after-party. To see video clips of blue12 dance company on Dance Channel TV, go to www.laweekly.com/stage and click on the dance pick. John Anson Ford Amphitheater, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hlywd.; Sat., Aug. 23, 8 p.m.; $28-$35, $5 students & children. (323) 461-3673 or www.fordtheatres.org.