Dancing Through Black Friday

Flamenco in Burbank, ten minute dance in Venice Beach, folkloric in East L.A., contemporary dance in Coachella Valley, plus the first Nutcrackers of the season, and more SoCal dance this week.

5.  Gimme ten

The monthly, uncurated Max 10 offers an evening drawn from dance, music, film, spoken-word, slideshow, visual art and/or performance art, each no longer than ten minutes. Coordinated by Michelle Clay and hosted by Joel Shapiro, the long-running Monday night series is always full of surprises. Electric Lodge, Scott Kelman Theatre, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., $10. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/max10-december-2019-tickets-55395713069

Max 10. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Max 10. Photo courtesy of the artists.

4.  Festive folklorico

Often a supportive onstage presence with events showcasing Mexican mariachi musical groups, here Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet takes center stage on its own. With Diciembre Mexicano, the troupe returns to what is something of a home venue with a program that includes the first work the ensemble presented here. Geared to the holiday, the Christmas celebration includes support from guests Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando and Cencamatl Choir. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Dr., E.L.A.; Sat., Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., $30-$50. https://www1.ticketmaster.com/grandeza-mexicana-folk-ballet-company/event/0B005717D7AD1CAB.

Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists.

3.  A contemporary hat

Known for his leadership of the International Dance Festival in Palm Springs, Michael Nickerson-Rossi puts on his other hat as a choreographer, presenting five dance works including his latest, a solo named Heartbeat. Coachella Valley Repertory Theater, 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City; Sun., Dec. 2, 2 & 7 p.m., $40. https://cvrep.vbotickets.com/events.

Nickerson Rossi Dance. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Nickerson Rossi Dance. Photo courtesy of the artist.

2.  Third time’s the charm

Yolanda is the dancer. Paco is the guitarist. Together they are Paco and Yolanda Arroyo and their Flamenco Flamenco takes the stage for the last of three weekends. The pair are joined by some of their promising students. LA Connection Theater, 3435 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank; Sun., Nov. 30, noon, $25. 818-974-3208 or 818-507-4426, flamencoarroyo@gmail.com.

Paco and Yolanda Arroyo. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Paco and Yolanda Arroyo. Photo courtesy of the artists.

1.  Here come the nuts

Thanksgiving weekend isn’t just the official launch of holiday shopping, it also marks the start of the Nutcracker ballet season. For a round up of SoCal Nutcrackers over the next four weeks, see Wrangling Nutcrackers elsewhere at Cultural Weekly this week. Here are four productions that are first out of the gate this weekend:

Set in 1912, the Los Angeles Ballet’s Nutcracker is an L.A. original, choreographed by company co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, with set design by L.A. artist Catherine Kanner. Now in its 14th season, L.A.’s own professional classical ballet company continues to demonstrate how well it understands this city. This year the company performs in Cerritos, Glendale, Westwood, Redondo Beach, and Hollywood (with a live orchestra), bringing ballet to the audience rather than expecting folks to overcome hours of gridlocked traffic. The superb company dancers have proven themselves a home team to root for. In full disclosure, your scribe volunteered to watch the goings on from a chimney. Info and tickets at https://www.LosAngelesBallet.org. Cerritos Performing Arts Center, 18000 Park Plaza Dr., Cerritos; Sat., Nov. 30, 5 p.m., Sun., Dec. 1, 1 p.m., $34-$109, 10% discount for children, students, seniors & military. Also at the Alex Theater, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sat., Dec. 7, 6 p.m., Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m., $34-$109, 10% discount for children, students, seniors & military. Also at UCLA Royce Hall, Westwood; Fri., Dec. 13, 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, noon & 5 p.m., $34-$109, 10% discount for children, students, seniors & military.  Also at Dolby Theatre, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., Dec. 20, 8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 21, 5 p.m., Sun., Dec. 22, noon, Tues., Dec. 24, 3 p.m., $45-$131. Also at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach; Sat., Dec. 28, noon & 5 p.m., Sun., Dec. 29, noon, $34-$109, 10% discount for children, students, seniors & military. 310-998-7782, https://www.LosAngelesBallet.org.  

Los Angeles Ballet. Photo by Reed Hutchinson.
Los Angeles Ballet. Photo by Reed Hutchinson.

Choreographer Laurence Blake and artistic director Victoria Koenig created Inland Pacific Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker that has become an Inland Empire tradition. IPB’s professional dancers are joined by students from IPB’s respected ballet academy. Three Friday performances on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 are devoted to its popular Nutty Nutcracker. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga; Fri., Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. (Nutty Nut), Sat., Nov. 30 & Dec. 7, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec 1 & 8, 2 p.m.,  Also at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. (Nutty Nut), Sat., Dec. 14, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Also at Bridges Auditorium, 450 N. College Way, Claremont; Fri., Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. (Nutty Nut), Sat., Dec. 21, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 22, 2 p.m., $29-$69, discounts for seniors & children 12 & under. 951-779-9800, http://www.IPBallet.org.

Inland Pacific Ballet. Photo by E.Y. Yanagi.
Inland Pacific Ballet. Photo by E.Y. Yanagi.

Two years ago, American Contemporary Ballet debuted The Nutcracker Suite, a one hour, immersive experience. ACB returns at a new venue with even more shows. Metropolis Los Angeles, 877 S. Francisco St., Upper Level, downtown; Fri., Nov. 29 & Dec. 6, 13, & 20, 8 p.m., Sat., Nov. 30 & Dec 7, 14 & 21, 2 p.m. & 5 p.m., Sun. Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2 p.m. & 5 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 5, 12, & 19, 8 p.m., Mon., Dec. 23, 8 p.m.,Tues., Dec 24, 1 p.m. $55-$137. https://www.acbdances.com.

American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Victor Demarchelier.
American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Victor Demarchelier.

Westside Ballet – Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire, the late founders of this admired training company created a Victorian Christmas card version of the Nutcracker. Professional guests share the stage with student dancers and the Santa Monica College Symphony provides live music. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat.-Sun., Nov. 30-Dec. 1 & Dec. 7-8, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m., Fri., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., $45.  https://westsideballet.tix.com.  

Westside Ballet. Photo by Todd Lechtick..
Westside Ballet. Photo by Todd Lechtick..

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