This week's dance events include dance in an art museum, cirque in the sand, Ugandan children and a sister's tribute to a beloved brother

5. Soulful Dance 
Subtitled A Tribute to the life of Albert Djanbazian, this repeat performance of Priceless Soul is both a tribute to choreographer Anna Djanbazian's late brother and a benefit for research into cancer to help others still battling the disease. Dancers include Albertossy Espinoza, Alex Crawford, Rubina Vartanians, Alina Ananian, Biayna Ayvazian, Tenie Avanessian, Maneh Farhadnejad, and Valerie Haapaniemi. More info at www.Djanbaziandance.com. The show is at Glendale Community College Auditorium, 1500 N. Verdugo, Glendale; Sun., Jan. 26, 6 p.m., $35-$45, 818-240-1000-5618, www.glendale.edu/theatre.]

Djanbazian Dance Company in Priceless Soul; Credit: Photo by Armen Aghaian

Djanbazian Dance Company in Priceless Soul; Credit: Photo by Armen Aghaian

4. For dancing Out Loud!
The edition of the ongoing performance series Fowler Out Loud features choreographers Meena Murugesan, Laurel Tentindo, and Chankethya Chey with an in-gallery performance titled Art in Motion. The event is offered in conjunction with the exhibition From X to Why: A Museum Takes Shape that focuses on the museum's earliest collections. Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunset & Westwood blvds., Westwood; Thu., Jan. 30, 6 p.m., free. 310-825-4361, www.fowler.ucla.edu.

See also: 5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week

Chankethya Chey in Art in Motion; Credit: Photo by Youvanratha Thou

Chankethya Chey in Art in Motion; Credit: Photo by Youvanratha Thou

3. Don't cry for me Uganda
Billed as part of a project to empower children, Spirit of Uganda showcases cheerful children dancing and singing. Pepperdine University, Smothers Theatre, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; Wed., Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m., $15-$35. 310-506-4522, www.arts.pepperdine.edu.

2. Cirque of the sun by the sand
Each edition of Cirque du Soleil has a theme, and this time Totem looks at founding myths and Darwinian links from the first amphibians crawling ashore to creatures taking flight. Expect the mix of acrobatics, gymnastics, dance, music and spectacle that has taken Cirque du Soleil on its own evolution from Canadian street performances to international phenomenon. The visit offers a range of tickets from mere admission to V.I.P to just short of joining the cast. Go to this site for a complete listing of performance dates and times for the two month run and preview videos as the distinctive Blue circus tent takes up residence in the pier parking lot. At the Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; Tues.-Sun., continues through March 16. 310-458-8900, www.santamonicapier.org

See also: Our Latest Theater Reviews

1. Does this guy ever sleep?
Often described in his native Great Britain as a modern Renaissance man for his blending of choreography with computer technology, science and architecture, choreographer Wayne McGregor is seriously in demand. In his now-viral TED talk, McGregor discussed dancemaking as cognitive research, then joined two members of his company in improvising a dance aptly inspired by the “T” in TED. In 2012, he enlisted hundreds of dancers and nondancers for a semi-choreographed Olympic Festival event in Trafalgar Square. His choreography is performed by major international ballet companies and appears in music videos. And if he weren't busy enough, since 2006 McGregor has juggled being resident choreographer for England's Royal Ballet with continuing to helm Random Dance, the contemporary dance company he founded in 1992, at age 22. As a dancer, McGregor is loose and lanky – think the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Random Dance's calling card for this visit is FAR, which features 10 dancers, a score from Brian Eno collaborator Ben Frost and 3,200 pinpoint LED lights with their own choreography. At UCLA, Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Wstwd.; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 24-25, 8 p.m.; $30-$50, $20 student rush 1 hour before show. (310) 825-2101, www.cap.ucla.edu.

Public Spectacle, L.A. Weekly's arts & culture blog, on Facebook and Twitter:

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.