This week’s dance shows include the homecomings for a contemporary choreographer and a local urban Latin troupe along with the last look at Seattle visitors and Los Angeles Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty.
 
5. Stepping it up

The free JAM Sessions mixing movement and music are among the Ford Amphitheater’s most popular summer events, but the theater's reconstruction made the usual venue unavailable.  Instead, JAM Sessions moves into public sites in six county regions—Newhall, San Fernando, Watts, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and Pomona, each area hosting eight events from now until November. Scheduled sessions range from swing dance, hip hop, Bollywood, Aztec dance, tap, African dance, Mexican folk dance with more yet to be announced. Learn some new moves or just watch and enjoy. This week it’s Chicago Style Stepping with LA Steppers Connection. Visit FordJAMSessions.org for an up-to-date-listing of all the venues and events. Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC), Phoenix Hall, 10950 S. Central Avenue, Watts; Fri., March 27, 6:30 p.m.; free. 323-461-3673, FordJAMSessions.org.

JAMS Sessions' L.A. Steppers Connection; Credit: Photo by Gennia Cui
4. Bringing the party home

Choreographer Ana Maria Alvarez, composer Cesar Alvarez and their urban Latin dance troupe Contra Tiempo took its tenth anniversary celebration on the road. After performances in Iowa, Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina, New York City, they wrap up the celebratory tour with a performance of Full Still Hungry here at home. USC Bovard Auditorium, University Park Campus, 3551 Trousdale Pkwy. dwntwn.; March 27, 7 p.m.; free, but reservations are required at usc.edu. 213-740-4211, contra-tiempo.org.

Contra Tiempo; Credit: Photo courtesy of Contra Tiempo
3. Multimedia dance

The Seattle-based duo zoe/juniper (choreographer Zoe Scofield and visual artist Juniper Shuey) combine contemporary dance with video projects and multi-colored paper sculptures in Begin Again. REDCAT, 631 West 2nd St., dwntwn.; Thurs.-Sat., March 26-28, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., March 29, 7 p.m.; $20-$25. 213-237-2800, redcat.org.

zoe/juniper in <i>Begin Again</i>; Credit: Photo courtesy of zoe/juniper 
2. She’s back!

Holly Johnston and her intriguingly titled dance troupe Ledges and Bones have been a force on the local dance scene for more than a decade with a distinctive take on contemporary choreography that is intense, primal and at the same time thoughtful and vulnerable. Johnston also instigated shared concerts showcasing emerging choreographers who have now come into their own. Johnston has been absent while gaining a masters degree out of state, but her newest Unbecoming Woman promises to prove she is back with exclamation points. The concert reunites Johnston with a long-time collaborator Sarri Sanchez and with her favored venue. Diavolo at the Brewery. 616 Moulton St., El Sereno; Fri.-Sat. March 27-28, 8 p.m.; donations at door. ledgesandbones.org.

Holly Johnston in <i>Unbecoming Woman</i>; Credit: Photo by Taso Papadakis
1. She sleeps her last

Tchaikovsky only wrote music specifically for three ballets—the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. For its 2014-2015 season, Los Angeles Ballet took on the challenge of presenting all three. With Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty under its belt, LAB continues with its last performances of  its new production of Sleeping Beauty, with choreography from co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary after Marius Petipa. UCLA Royce Hall, 340 Royce Dr., Wstwd.; Sat., March 28, 7:30 p.m., Sun., March 29, 2 p.m.; $35.50-$103.50; $29-$83 seniors, students & children. 310-998-7782, losangelesballet.org.

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