Ann HaskinsThis week's dance events include the last of the summer dance festivals.
5. Diavolo does the Hollywood Bowl
Even the cheapest seats should have a clear view of the fiberglass quarter-sphere that is the latest plaything to occupy Jacques Heim and the dancers, gymnasts and acrobats his Diavolo Dance Theater. Backed by the L.A. Philharmonic led by Bramwell Tovey, Diavolo performers explore the possibilities of the structure's Fluid Infinities as a vehicle for Philip Glass' Symphony No. 3. This is Diavolo's third and final commission from the L.A. Phil, and the company has been fine-tuning the event in a series of previews. Heim, who prefers the designation “architect of motion” to choreographer, has drawn international attention both for his work leading Diavolo and for choreographing (or designing the motion) for Cirque du Soleil. How will the orchestra and live music match up with the movement for this finale? Get a preview and maybe even contribute at www.diavolo.org. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; Thurs., Sept. 5, 8 p.m., $11.50-$114. 323-850-2000, www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre; Credit: Photo courtesy of 2013 SoCal Dance Festival
4. The penultimate summer dance festival
School may have started and the tourists headed home, but the dance festivals continue. It's five for the price of one as the South Coast Dance Arts Alliance gathers a quintet of SoCal companies for the 2013 So-Cal Dance Invitational. The lineup includes Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, Luminario Ballet, Andy Vaca's Jazzworks, Regina Klenjoski Dance Company and L.A. Contemporary Dance. The styles vary from modern and postmodern to jazz and contemporary ballet at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hlywd.; Sat., Aug. 31, 8 p.m., $30-$50, $20 students, $12 12 & under. 323-461-3673, www.fordamphitheater.org.
3. A young girl in the holocaust, but not Anne Frank
Livia Bitton-Jackson as a young girl survived the Holocaust, and her memoir inspired I Have Lived a Thousand Years, an original dance-theater piece, created by artistic director Lyndell Higgins. Catch a preview at www.stretchdanceco.com. Order tickets at www.ihavelivedathousandyears.eventbrite.com. At Studio A Dance, 2306 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; Sun., Sept. 1, 3 & 7 p.m., $15, $10 students 12 & older, free for Holocaust survivors. 323-661-8311.
2. But is it her good side?
The always interesting Esther Baker-Tarpaga and Hind Benali join forces in Her Other Side. At Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 30-31, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 students & seniors. 310-315-1459, www.highwaysperformance.org.
Parsons Dance Company in Round My World; Credit: Photo by Andrea Mohin
1. The last of the summer dance festivals or maybe the first of the fall
Since its founding, Laguna Dance Festival's artistic director Jodie Gates has annually recruited an impressive list of contemporary and ballet companies to perform and give master classes. She continues that streak, opening this year's fest with Parsons Dance Company. Led by David Parsons, a former Paul Taylor Dance Company star who has become a big-name choreographer in his own right, this fest is a chance to see his splendid company in an intimate venue. More info on this as well as other performances and festival events plus tickets at www.lagunadancefestival.org. At Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; Thurs.-Fri., Sept. 5-6, 7:30 p.m., $60, $35 students. 949-497-2787.
See also:
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.
Follow us on Twitter at @LAWeeklyArts and like us on Facebook.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.