Ann Haskins
This week's dance shows include modern dance in Signal Hill and ballet dancers doin' it for each other.
5. Ballet dancers bustin' out
Dancers spend enormous amounts of time together – in class, in rehearsal and in performance. They know each other's strengths and weakness, and sometimes can see untapped potential. When dancers choreograph on other dancers they know, there is an enviable opportunity to tap that potential. In Dances by Dancers, this year's Los Angeles Ballet's choreographic workshop, artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary present new works choreographed by LAB dancers for LAB dancers. The last choreographic workshop quickly sold out, and with 110 seats per show, that is likely to recur. At Los Angeles Ballet Center, 11755 Exposition Blvd., W.L.A.; Fri.-Sat., April 18-19, 7 p.m., $20. 310-998-7782, www.losangelesballet.org.]
4. Cozying up to modern dance
The respected modern-dance choreographer and her eponymous Have Kyung Lee & Dancers take over Luckman's Caroline's LOFT for an intimate performance. At Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles; Sun., April 20, 7:30 p.m., $15, $10 students & seniors. 323-371-3265. www.luckmanarts.org.
Nickerson-Rossi Dance; Credit: Photo by Joe Lambie
3. New choreography and a champagne fountain
Guest choreographers Peter Kalivas, who directs the PGK Project, and Erin Landry from Cypress College contribute works to this concert by Nickerson-Rossi Dance, which also features artistic director Michael Nickerson-Rossi's uNdeRstanD Program, and two excerpts from Phoenix, with score by Nicholas White. An additional $25 gets attendees into a 6 p.m. reception with food, dessert and a champagne fountain. At Elevation Studios, 1900 E. 27th St., Signal Hill; Fri.-Sat., April 18-19, 7:30 p.m., $25, $50 includes reception. tickets at Michael@NickersonRossiDance.com.
2. Float like a butterfly, sting like a boxer
Boxers often are described as dancing around their opponent. Choreographers Emio Greco and Pieter Scholten make that literal in ROCCO, performed in a stylized boxing ring and inspired by Luchino Visconti's film Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Rocco and His Brothers). At REDCAT: Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, 631 W. Second St., dwntn.; thru April 19, 8:30 p.m., $20-$25, $16-$20 students. 213-237-2800, www.redcat.org.
Mongolian dance company Khukh Tenger; Credit: Photo courtesy of World City
1. How they dance in Ulan Bator
The Mongolian dance troupe Khukh Tenger's name translates to “Blue Sky” and references the deep relationship of the nomadic indigenous people to nature and the country's harsh climate, sweeping plains and stark mountain ranges. The troupe performs with Huun-Huur-Tu, who practice khoomei or “throat singing,” where a single vocalist can simultaneously produce two distinct pitches and sing the chord in harmony. This edition of the family-friendly World City series is at Keck Children's Amphitheatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Sat., April 19, 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., free with ticket. www.musiccenter.org
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