Ann HaskinsThis week's events also include a holiday show that is not the Nutcracker, a flamenco finale, the return of Stomp and more Nutcracker.
5. A Ho! Ho! Ho! “Holiday Celebration”
The six dance ensembles selected to perform as part of this year's L.A. County Holiday Celebration give a tantalizing taste of the wide range of styles flourishing on the vibrant local dance scene. Making their debut are Ate9 dANCE cOMPANY, led by former BNatsheva dancer Danielle Agami, and Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project, tapping to live holiday music. Returning are Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet, JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble, Invertigo Dance Theatre and Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy. It's the 54th edition of this annual event, presented by the County Board of Supervisors and the County Arts Commission to showcase dance, music and choral groups selected from all over L.A. County. Admission and parking are free. KCET again will broadcast the show live, with a repeat from 8 to 11 p.m. A complete lineup and estimated performance time at www.holidaycelebration.org. At the Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Tues., Dec. 24, 3-6 p.m., free, (213) 972-3099, www.holidaycelebration.org.
Angelita at El Cid; Credit: Photo courtesy of El Cid flamenco festival
4. Last flamenco before Christmas
Noche en Triana led by Antonio Triana on Fridays alternates with El Cid's Angelita Concierto Flamenco on Saturdays as the featured flamenco show at this landmark Silverlake restaurant. Food & drink available for purchase, including a $30, three-course prix fixe dinner. After this weekend, the shows go on hiatus until New Year's Eve. At El Cid, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Silverlake; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 20-21, 7:30 p.m. Thru Dec. 21, $15 show only. 323-668-0318, www.elcidla.com.
See also: 5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
3. Partying like it's 1913
The most polished and professional Nutcracker belongs to Los Angeles Ballet. Set in 1913 Los Angeles, this Nutcracker is an L.A. original, choreographed by company co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, with set design by L.A. artist Catherine Kanner. The company dancers are a home team to root for, splendid performers who make the challenging choreography look effortless. Next week the show concludes at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. This week see the dancing at UCLA Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 1 & 5 p.m., $30-$95, $24-$76 seniors, students & children 12 & under, 310-998-7782, www.losangelesballet.org.
See also: Our Latest Theater Reviews
Alex Castillo and Julia Cinquemani in the Los Angeles Ballet's Nutcracker; Credit: Photo by Reed Hutchinson
2. Stompin' at the Saban
They may have started as street performers, but the intoxicating percussive movement that is Stomp has captured the world's imagination. The current generation of Stomp performers is in town for three weeks of shows. At Saban Theatre, 8440 W. Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 & 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Mondays, Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thru Jan. 3. 323-655-0111, www.sabantheatre.org.
California Contempoary Ballet's Snow Queen (no, that's not the Snow Queen); Credit: Photo by Tien Truong
1. A Snow Queen that isn't Disney Frozen
Long before Disney's animated film Frozen became a hit, California Contemporary Ballet offered a ballet version derived from Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen, also Frozen's source material. Info and preview video at www.snowqueenballet.com. At Glendale Community College, 1500 N. Verdugo, Glendale; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 p.m., $25-$50, $20-$25 seniors and children, 818-583-7406, brownpapertickets.com/event/496201. www.glendale.edu.
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