Ann HaskinsThis week's dance events also include a festival that mixes things up and a celebration of the British musical invasion.
5. It's for arts presenters, but the public can come too.
The Western Arts Alliance, an association of performing arts presenters, are meeting in L.A. this week and local dance companies are showcasing their talents to encourage the WAA attendees to book them to perform. One showcase open to the public is organized by the Dance Resource Center, L.A.'s association of concert dance companies. The performances are brief and the roster is impressive, with some of L.A.'s best strutting their stuff for the WAA visitors. The lineup includes hip hop from Antics Performance and Lux Aeterna, Bollywood from blue13 dance company, Afro-Brasilian from Viver Brasil, ballet and aeriel from Luminario Ballet and contemporary companies including Invertigo Dance Theatre, LA Choreographers & Dancers/ Louise Reichlin & Dancers, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, RhetOracle Dance Company and Versa-Style Dance Company. Individual performance times, information, video previews and tickets at www.invertigodance.org/lads/info. At the Moss Theater, New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; Tues., Aug. 27, 8 p.m. www.invertigodance.org/lads/info.
4. The mix masters return
SoCal has its share of dance festivals, especially in the summer, but it's hard to think of any that presents the wide-ranging spectrum of SoCal dance as well as the annual MixMatch Dance Festival. Offering five shows over four days, it's a tapas kind of thing, with tastes of 12 to 16 dance companies per show; some, including host troupe Hart Pulse Dance Company, perform more than once. Dance styles range from hip-hop to ballet to tap, modern, tribal, contemporary, jazz and bellydance. See the full line-up, links to participating companies, ticket and parking info at www.hartpulsedance.com. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; Aug. 22-24, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 24 & 25, 2 p.m., $15. (310) 458-8634.
See also: 5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre dancers Albertossy Espinosa and Sarah D'Elia in The British Beat; Credit: Photo by Tom Pease
3. Rebranded ballet troupe celebrates the British musical invasion
For a decade, Burbank-based Media City Ballet drew attention for its loving re-creations of works made famous by Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo, as well as a popular Nutcracker. In 2012 the professional ballet company morphed into Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre. Its Ford appearance last summer marked both the name change and a shift in focus away from early-20th century Ballet Russes to a more contemporary period, incorporating ballet with popular dance styles all set to American pop music. This summer, the company turns its attention to the British music invasion with The British Beat. Choreographer/artistic director Natasha Middleton can't resist a nod back a bit to Sir Edward Elgar but also emphasizes the musical sea change that began with the Beatles and the Stones in the '60s and the legacy that flows from Elton John and David Bowie to Adele. More info on the company at www.pacificballetdancetheatre.org. At the Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hlywd.; Sat., Aug. 24, 8 p.m.; $15-$65, $12 students & children 12 & under. (323) 461-3673, www.fordtheatres.org.
2. Who would guess BODYTRAFFIC and tango dancers have Russian music in common?
BODYTRAFFIC members join tango dancers and the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony for Cultural Collaborations, a celebration and interpretation of dance and music from Russia. Tango dancers Miriam Marici and Leonardo Barrionuevo front the orchestra for the premiere of Go Tango. In Israeli Country Dances Suite, BODYTRAFFIC dancers serve up contemporary renditions of 10 Israeli popular dances, including the hora. At the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hlywd.; Sun., Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m., $30-$50, $20 students. 323-461-3673, www.fordamphitheatre.org.
Dancer Misuda Cohen in El Cid's Flamenco Andalusi; Credit: Photo courtesy of El Cid flamenco festival
1. El Cid goes for the gold
Continuing its golden anniversary celebration, El Cid, the venerable dinner theater, serves up Flamenco Andalusi featuring dancers Manuel Gutierrez and Misuda Cohen, singer Antonio de Jerez, guitarists Antonio Triana and Kai Narezo, plus special guest percussionist Samuel Flores from Spain. Food and beverages from the menu are available for purchase. At El Cid, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Fri., Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m., $15 show only. 323-668-0318, www.elcidla.com.
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