So-Cal dance events this week include tough subjects and world dance in Santa Monica, 18th century ballet style and contemporary choreographers downtown, a series reboot at a Glendale library, and an early look at new works in Lincoln Heights.
5. All over the map
Dance styles ranging from the expected (contemporary, hip hop, lyrical jazz and ballet) to the less frequently encountered (Indonesian, Samoan, West African, Nicaraguan, Spanish and salsa) reflect L.A.’s diversity in Global Motion, Santa Monica College dance department’s world dance company. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Fri., May 26, 7:30 p.m., Sat., May 27, 4 & 7:30 p.m., $20 in advance, $22 at door. http://smc.edu/eventsinfo.
4. Tough tackles
The strength of women, Black Lives Matter and queer identity are subjects choreographer James MahKween tackles in Dancing With Purpose, part of BEHOLD! Queer Arts Series. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., May 26-27, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 students & seniors. 310-453-1755, http://highwaysperformance.org.
3. Mesh-ing
Choreographers Mallory Fabian and Bryanna Brock join forces for Mesh. Brock and her troupe Deep Blue contribute Pink Flamingo. Fabian and her ensemble fabe offer Don’t Inhale it, Strictly Mouth. Preceding the performance, the audience can roam the gallery space and enjoy a drink during a live set from The Maya Spectra. Civic Center Studios, 207 S. Broadway, Suite One, downtown; Sat., May 27, 8 p.m., $20 in advance, $25 at door (no credit cards). http://mesh.brownpapertickets.com/.
2. Real time dance
Dance seldom emerges in a final form first time out, usually evolving as a choreographer actually sees the work performed through the filters of real time dancing and audience reaction. Incubation: A Choreographers’ Showcase is LA Contemporary Dance Company’s chance for choreographers and audiences to test run several new and in progress dances before their final form next season. The impressive line up of dance makers includes Nathan Makolandra, Rebecca Lemme, Nicolas Heitzeberg and former LACDC director Kate Hutter, plus original music from LA-based composer Jodie Landau of Wild Up. Diavolo Dance Space, Brewery Arts Complex, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., May 26-27, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 student or under 18. http://incubationlacdc.brownpapertickets.com/
1. Nestled against the mountains
Dance at the Brand is a long-running dance series that has been a bit of a local secret for fans who enjoy performance in a picture perfect library nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains. Recently award-winning festival producer Jamie Nichols was recruited to oversee the series and the reboot made its debut last week with the inventive Invertigo Dance Theater. This week the all female troupe Szalt transposes WaterStories from its original art gallery venue to the library’s pastoral environs. In June the series closes with the exuberant Viver Brasil. Brand Library and Art Gallery, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Fri., May 26, 7 p.m., free. http://brandlibrary.org.
Other dance of note:
Not the whole ballet, just the Prologue fairy variations from Sleeping Beauty provide the text for this iteration of Ballet School from American Contemporary Ballet. Guest Doug Fullington from Pacific Northwest Ballet shares his expertise in the 19th century ballet style in which the ballet was created. ACB Studios, 700 S. Flower St., Suite 3200, downtown; Wed., May 31, 8 p.m., $100. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2823587.
The young dancers of The Wooden Floor take the stage in their annual concert. Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Thurs.-Fri., June 1-2, 8 p.m., Sat., June 3, 2 & 8 p.m., $10-$50. 949-854-4646, http://thebarclay.org.
In Ascent, choreographer Adam Kerbel employs Taiko drumming in a dance theater exploration of masculinity. Part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Studio/Stage, 520 Western Ave., Hollywood; Thurs., June 1, 8 p.m., free; then Wed., June 14, 7:30 p.m., Thurs., June 15, 8:30 p.m., Wed., June 21, 11:30 p.m., Fri., June 23, 6 p.m., $15. http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/4483.