In New York City, the Joyce Theater is a premier venue for contemporary dance, and its Joyce Theater Foundation has found a fun way to fund new choreography through its popular A.W.A.R.D. (Artists With Audiences Responding to Dance) Show! , which debuts an L.A. edition this week. Over three nights, a dozen high-profile local choreographers will show a dance work followed by a facilitated conversation with the audience and selection of one from the evening's quartet to move to the finals. On Sunday, the three finalists encore their work, with the winning choreographer nabbing a $10,000 prize. The contenders are Rachael Lincoln & Leslie Seiters, Arianne MacBean, Barak Marshall and Christine Suarez (Thurs.), Maria Gillespie, Pam Gonzales, Holly Johnston and Bradley Michaud (Fri.), and Rande Dorn, Victoria Marks, Meg Wolfe and Karen Schaffman with Liam Clancy, Eric Geiger & Leslie Seiters (Sat.). REDCAT, 2nd & Hope sts., dwntwn.; Thurs.-Sat., Jan. 13-15, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 16 (finals), 7 p.m.; $18. (213) 237-2800,

Jan. 13-15, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 16, 7 p.m., 2011

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