This week's dance shows include a tribute to a local flamenco legend, home invasion dance at the Brewery and the shift-key challenged Ate9 dANCE cOMPANY at the all-caps REDCAT.

]

5.  Flamboyant Flamenco

Long to get away to sunny Spain with balmy nights and fiery flamenco dancers? For the next best thing, bring some tapas, grab a bottle of riojo and enjoy the world of Spanish dance with Forever Flamenco al fresco. For most of the year, this long running, mostly monthly show presents a rotating cast of six to eight local and international flamenco artists in its 40-seat home venue at the Fountain Theater. Once each summer, Fountain Theater producer and flamenco fan Deborah Lawlor assembles a larger cast of dancers, musicians, and singers to take advantage of the Ford's two-tiered outdoor stage. This edition pays tribute Roberto Amaral and his nearly five decades as a dancer, teacher and local flamenco pioneer. At 14, Amaral saw the legendary Carmen Amaya dance and was hooked. At 15, he began flamenco lessons and after high school, traveled to Spain where, at 17, Amaral began a professional career that included the famed Jose Greco's company. Fortunately for L.A., Amaral settled here, continued to perform while establishing a company and a school.

With his elegant bearing and silver gray hair and beard, Amaral looks more diplomat than pioneer, but his passion, performance and mentoring are credited for much of L.A.'s vibrant flamenco scene. Announced performers include bailaores/as (dancers) Fanny Ara, Manuel Gutiérrez, Pamela Lourant, Timo Nuñez, Mizuho Sato, Yaelisa, Ryan Zermeño and Amaral; cantaores (singers) Antonio de Jerez and Jesus Montoya; guitarristas (guitarists) Adam del Monte, Jason McGuire “El Rubio,” José Tanaka and Antonio Triana; and percusionista (percussionist) Joey Heredia. At John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Aug. 9, 8:30 p.m.; $50-$100. 323-461-3673, www.FordTheatres.org.  

Home/LA at The Brewery; Credit: Photo by Andrew Mandinach

Home/LA at The Brewery; Credit: Photo by Andrew Mandinach

4.  Brewing up dance at the Brewery

The inventive site-specific, home-invasion dance event Home/LA occupies an artist’s studio at the Brewery. The artist opened the studio to a cadre of dancers and choreographers to develop the event. This weekend there are two more chances to see the result.  Address provided with reservation at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/719698. Sun. Aug. 10 & 17, 6 p.m., $15 advance purchase, $20 at door.

3.  Last chance (for NOW)

Best known as the NOW Festival, the 11th annual New Original Works Festival celebrates new original dance and other performing arts. This third weekend concludes this year's NOW with a new theatrical work by John Fleck and new dance by Ate9 dANCE cOMPANY. At REDCAT: Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, 631 W. Second St., dwntwn.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. Thru Aug. 9, $40 festival pass, $20, $16 students. 213-237-2800, www.redcat.org.

2.  Double down Mexican folk dance

Two different Mexican folk dance companies take over the Cahuenga Pass this weekend. On Friday, Resurrección Mexican Folk presents Cuentos y Leyendas de México, using dance to retell popular folk tales, bedtime stories and legends from eight different states and regions of México. For its debut event on Sunday, Unidos Por la Danza (United for Dance) presents folklorico dance and music from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Peru. At John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hlywd.; Resurrección Mexican Folk on Fri., Aug. 8, 8:30 p.m., $30. Unidos Por La Danza Sun., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., $25. 323-461-3673, www.fordamphitheatre.org.

Rubans Rouges' Summer Showcase 2; Credit: Photo by Tim Agler

Rubans Rouges' Summer Showcase 2; Credit: Photo by Tim Agler


1.  Red Ribbons’ round-up

Artistic director Noelle Andressen and her Rubans Rouges (Red Ribbons) Dance Company recruited several high-grade contemporary companies for this Summer Showcase 2: Secrets & the Silent Rose. Announced participants include Brockus: RED, Dorn Dance Company, Speak Hill Dance Company, Hart Pulse Dance Company, Art Bark, a film by Wendi Bait, special guest Albertossy Espinoza and the host company. Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/734648. At ARC Pasadena, 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Sat., Aug. 9, 8 p.m., $22, $18 students & seniors. www.arcpasadena.org.

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.