Five Dance Shows to See in L.A. This Week, Including Dances Erupting in Coffee Shops

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This week's dance events include tap and tango from Diane Davisson Dancers, aerial and ballet from Luminario Ballet and an homage to the mid-century coffeehouse

5. Up in the sky…It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Luminario Ballet

Blending contemporary ballet, aerial and circus elements, Luminario Ballet's repertoire program is highlighted by the premiere of Firebird Rising, a multimedia event that promises a mash-up of Stravinsky and electronica, with choreography by Luminario artistic director Judith FLEX Helle and Obie Award winner Stephen Hues. The show includes a new aerial dance from Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown and selections from Luminario's repertoire. At El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., May 31-June 1, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 2, 3 p.m., $30-$40, $15 students. www.web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/92176. 818-508-4200, www.elportaltheatre.com.

4. Dance with your latte

It's a few folks short of a flash mob, but in much the same spirit, Coffeehouse Dances are choreographer Keith Glassman's roving dance events that are part spontaneous, part planned hour-long performances that erupt in independent coffeehouses. The target coffeehouse sites are announced, but as with flash mobs, most of the delighted audience just happens to be sipping their lattes when the dancing begins. Glassman's past efforts include solos and duets that dancers can perform in the often limited space. This time, the series pays homage to the original mid-century coffeehouse scene with post modern dancer Klyda Mahoney and Glassman backed by musician Charles Sharp. At each of the three venues, they are joined by a poet–Santa Perversa (Fri. 5/31), Gloria Enedina Alvarez (Sat., June 1), and Douglas Kearney (Fri., June 7) to explore the possibilities when A Poet, A Musician, and a Dancer Walk into a Coffeehouse… The coffee costs, but the shows are free thanks to funding from the L.A. City Department of Cultural Affairs and the L.A. County Arts Commission. Info at www.keithglassman.org. At Kaldi Coffee & Tea, 3147 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; Fri., May 31, 6 p.m., free. 323-660-6005, kaldiatwater.com. Also at Sabor y Cultura, 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Sat., June 1, 8 p.m. free. 323-466-0481, saborycultura.com. Also at Bourbon Street Café, 698 S. Vermont, Koreatown; Fri., June 7, 8 p.m.; free. Info at www.keithglassman.org.

Klyda Mahoney in Coffeehouse Dances; Credit: Photo by Rollence Patugan

3. And exactly what is a Golgeler?

Choreographer Seda Aybay and her contemporary company promise answers as they offer Golgeler with dancers Joshua Bergeron, Junji Dezaki, Daniele Della Gala, Sy Gaskin, Sarah Nordquist, Jeanna Riscigno, Heather Zimmerman and Aybay. Info and tickets at www.kybeledance.com. At the Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Hllywd.; Sat., June 1, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., June 2, 3 p.m., $20 advance purchase, $25 at door; $15 students in advance, $20 students at door. 310-213-6955.

2. Paying tribute to choreographer Hanya Holm

The Pasadena-based contemporary dance company Nancy Evans Dance Theatre presents Works 2013 over two weekends. NEDT is joined each night by a guest company. On Saturday, Rebecca R. Levy brings her Jacksonville Dance Theatre. On Sunday, Beth Megill and her eponymous Megill & Company share the stage. Next Saturday and Sunday, the guest is SoleVita Dance Company, led by Joelle Martinec. The program includes a restaging of Vigil and the return of Nancy Evans Doede to the stage in the premiere of a solo that pays tribute to her mentor, Hanya Holm. Tickets and more info at www.nancyevansdancetheatre.com. At Porticos Art Space, St. James Methodist Church, 2033 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena; Sat., June 1 & 8, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 2 & 9, 4 p.m. $20; $15 students & senior, discounts on multiple shows. www.porticosartspace.org.

1. Tap and tango

The popular tap troupe Diane Davisson and Dancers returns with tap and tango in Stop Time. Guest stars include Jordi Caballero from Dancing With the Stars, Zita Gonzalez from Forever Tango and Giovanna Dan from Turn Up the Heat. At the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; Sat., June 1, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 2, 2 p.m., $20, 310-474-1639, www.brownpapertickets.com.

Luminario Ballet; Credit: Photo by Paul Antico

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