Daniel Ezralow’s Past Leads to the Future

Dancing with strings in Santa Monica, a visionary’s current vision in Beverly Hills, Beauty and the Beast redux in Pasadena, contemporary dance opens for Shakespeare at Griffith Park, the dance season ignites in the Cahuenga Pass, and more SoCal dance this week.

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5.  Stringing along

Led by Holly and Luke Rothschild, the dancers and musicians of String Theory Productions bring their compelling dance, mesmerizing music and inventive instruments to this al fresco event. Part of the Meet Me at the Reed series, this ensemble is always a must see, Christine Emerson Reed Park, 1133 7th St., Santa Monica; Sat., July 15, 5:30 p.m., free. http://smgov.net.

String Theory Productions Photo by Luke Rothschlld
String Theory Productions. Photo by Luke Rothschlld.

4. Measured Interior

Returning as a dance prelude for this free Shakespeare festival, Invertigo Dance Theatre performs excerpts from Interior Design. Laura Karlin and her contemporary dance troupe blend dance, theatre and furniture assembly (Ikea allen wrenches anyone?) in this opener for the Independent Shakespeare Festival’s Measure for Measure. Blankets and a picnic are good ideas.  Directions to the performance site and other information on the al fresco event including seating options at http://www.iscla.org/griffith-park-festival/. Griffith Park, Old Zoo; Fri-Sat., July 14-16, 6:30 p.m., Shakespeare at 7:30 p.m., free. http://www.iscla.org/griffith-park-festival/.

Invertigo Dance Theatre's Jessica Dunn and Sadie Jane Photo by George Simian Teaches
Invertigo Dance Theatre’s Jessica Dunn and Sadie Jane. Photo by George Simian Teaches.

3.  A Portuguese take on Beauty

Fresh off the boat, well, actually two boats moored at the L.A. Harbor as the venue for a dance/opera, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre moves inland for DuoFest. Boston Court’s weeklong music fest has morphed into more complex collaborative events that bring music into play with dance and other performing arts. The re-imagined festival opens with HDDT dancer Teresa Barcelo paired with original music by noted saxophonist Joe Berry and narrator Paula Rebelo in Beauty and the Beast or The Enormous Wound. Don’t expect the Disney version, these artists draw on the A bela e a fera ou A ferida grande demais, a Portuguese story about a beauty who comes to terms with her inner beast. Info on the complete Duo Fest series at http://bostoncourt.com. Boston Court Theatre, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena; Fri., July 14, 8 p.m., $30, $25 seniors, $20 students. 626-683-6883, https://ci.ovationtix.com/112/production/965614?performanceId=10123269.

Heidi Duckler Dance Theater's Teresa Barcelo Photo courtesy of HDDT
Heidi Duckler Dance Theater’s Teresa Barcelo. Photo courtesy of HDDT.

2.  Universally personal

Known for his imaginative choreography for the film Across the Universe and work that ranges from the grandeur of opera to the spectacle of the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony to intimate dances for the modern troupe Momix and others, Daniel Ezralow is a major player in national and international circles. Ezralow and his eponymous Ezralow Dance get personal in Primo Passo. Inspired by watching his child learn to walk, Ezralow promises to combine a retrospective of past work and a preview of where his considerable inventiveness will go next. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, Thurs.-Fri., July 13-14, 8 p.m.; $39-$99. 310-246-3800.http://thewallis.org.

Savion Glover Photo courtesy of the artist
Savion Glover. Photo courtesy of the artist.

5.  Tapped to launch a new series

Expect percussive sounds to fill Cahuenga Pass as the reigning tap master takes the stage in Savion Glover in Concert and opens this summer venue’s season. Backed by the band Dance Candy, Glover is joined by accomplished tappers Marshall Davis Jr., Robyn Watson and Karissa Royster for this gala opening. The event also launches a new series Ignite @ The Ford that promises to bring performers to this al fresco venue with local heavy weight presenters including the Music Center, L.A. Opera, Skirball Cultural Center, and the Fountain Theater along with New York City’s Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center Festival. Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood; Sat., July 15, 8 p.m., $55-$500. 323-461-3673. http://fordtheatres.org.

Other dance of note:

Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Singuenza, the trio best known as the rabble-rousing Culture Clash, are joined by Pacifico Dance Company for OG Summer Desmadre. The Mexican folkloric troupe will contribute to what translates to “wild, chaotic rave” along with Latin R&B band Tierra, punk rocker Alice Bag and her band, trio La Victoria and several stand up comedians. Another event in the new Ignite @ Ford series. Ford Theatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sun., July 16. 7:30 p.m., $35-$80. 323-461-3673. http://fordtheatres.org.

Cultivate that inner dance critic at American Contemporary Ballet’s Dancing School. Watch ACB’s talented dancers take turns essaying the same solo followed by an on the spot critique. ACB Studios, 700 S. Flower St., 32nd floor, downtown; Sun., July 16, 4 p.m., $100. 800-838-3006, http://acbdances.com.

American Contemporary Ballet Photo courtesy of ACB
American Contemporary Ballet. Photo courtesy of ACB.

Works from the repertoire highlight Vicious Circle’s concert. The all-male contemporary troupe from Orange County is led by Valerie Cabag. El Camino College, Marsee Auditorium, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance; Sat., July 15, $21. 800-832-2787.

Watch or join in the fun as this JAM Session offers hip hop dance. Ford Theatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Mon., July 17, 7 p.m., free. http://fordtheatres.org.

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