Ann HaskinsThis week's dance events include two neighboring flamenco shows and the latest from the innovative Rosanna Gamson.
5. Flamenco Duels
Flamenco Andalusi continues the golden anniversary celebration at Silver Lake's El Cid Restaurant 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. Toss a castenet west and it's Forever Flamenco!, L.A.'s long-running monthly flamenco series with Flamenkeando with Yaelisa y Caminos Flamencos. The dancers include Manuel Gutierrez, Yaelisa and Devon LaRussa, with guitarist Jason McGuire (El Rubio), and percussionist Joey Heredia, plus from Spain, singer-dancer Oscar Valero and singer El Grillo. Flamenco Andalusi at El Cid, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Fri., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m.; $15 show only. 323-668-0318, www.elcidla.com. Forever Flamenco at Fountain Theatre, 5100 Fountain Ave., Hlywd.; Sun., Aug. 18, 8 p.m.; $40. www.fountaintheatre.com.
See also:
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.
American Contemporary Ballet; Credit: Photo by Sam Muller
4. Da Camera Society takes up dancing
Starting a ballet company in L.A. has never been easy, but new companies keep popping up. There's much to admire about how American Contemporary Ballet has approached that task, starting with its partnership with the respected Da Camera Society, known for presenting live music in historic and architecturally interesting venues. Da Camera provides the live music for ACB's endeavors, marking an expansion of its programming beyond strictly music. After relocating from New York City, ACB artistic director Lincoln Jones and principal dancer Theresa Farrell began presenting informal lecture demonstrations, with Da Camera providing top-notch classical musicians to accompany the dancers. And earlier this summer, when the ballet company opened its studios across from LACMA, added more dancers to its roster and debuted Music+Dance, an expanded program of Jones' choreography, it was again with live music, thanks to Da Camera. The initial Music+Dance program gave both the musicians and the dancers a chance to shine — when the dancers needed time to catch their breath and change costumes, the musicians took a turn by themselves. The second and final installment of this summer's ballet company programming offers four opportunities to enjoy the music and the dance. As with most Da Camera events, a postperformance reception includes light refreshments and a chance to chat with the artists at American Contemporary Ballet Studios, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 16-17, 7 & 9 p.m.; $40. (213) 477-2929, www.americancontemporaryballet.org www.DaCamera.org.
3. Feisty festival mixes it up
SoCal certainly 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. The seventh edition opens this week with the first of five shows over four days featuring more than 70 dances and 50 choreographers. It's a tapas kind of thing, with tastes of 12 to 16 dance companies each show, with some, including host troupe Hart Pulse Dance Company, performing more than once. Dance styles range from hip-hop and ballet to tap, modern, tribal, contemporary, jazz and belly dancing. The opening lineup includes Kinetic Dance Company, Anthony Languren, Molly Mattei, Lisa D. Long, Gina Southern, LoaDanceTheater, Katie Jane Hagen, Merge Dance Theatre, Noelle Andressen, Pony Box Dance Theatre, Maha & Company and Nevada Repertory Dance Theater. Ticket and parking information at www.hartpulsedance.com. The festival is at 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, www.hartpulsedance.com.
Dancers at the MixMatch Dance Festival; Credit: Photo courtesy of MixMatch Dance Festival
2. Gamson's resilient bloom
Part performance, part fundraiser and all party, this event entitled Bloom, previews Gamson's latest, Layla Means Night, in which Gamson reconsiders Scheherazade and how she employed storytelling as a weapon to combat tyrany. Top-price ticket includes dinner from Venice's popular Hal's Restaurant. At the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sat., Aug. 17, 8:30 p.m.; $35-$65. 310-306-1854, www.electriclodge.org.
1. Red ribbons and memories
Performing Ruban Rouges (Red Ribbons), the work for which her dance company is named, Noelle Andressen and her Ruban Rouges Dance Company tackle the sensitive subject of child abuse and the fortitude to overcome adversity. Excerpts from the work have been seen, but this is the first time it has being performed in full. The evening's second half titled Memories has contributions from several choreographers, including Wendi Baity (Relentless Dance Theater), Nancy Evans Doede (Nancy Evans Dance Theatre), Amanda Hart (Hart Pulse Dance Company), Misa Kelly (ArtBark International) and Beth Megill (Megill & Company). Information and tickets at www.rubansrougesdance.com; tickets also at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/354469. The show is at ARC Pasadena, 1158 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Sat., Aug. 17, 7 p.m.; $20, brownpapertickets.com/event/354469. www.arcpasadena.org.
See also:
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.
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