New Yorkers dance Burt Bacharach songbook in Santa Monica, Cuban contemporary dance debuts in Northridge, folkloric celebrates in Hollywood, a dance film fest screens winners in Cheviot Hills, spooky ballets in Hollywood and downtown, more SoCal dance in a busy week, and a peek at another busy next week.

Live This Week

Cuban contemporary

The contemporary Cuban ensemble, Malpaso Dance Company makes its debut at this venue with a three-part program of dance and live music. Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble perform 24 Hours and a Dog  created by company artistic director Osnel Delgado. The two other works are from internationally recognized choreographers Mats Ek and Azsure Barton. The Soroya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Thurs., Oct. 13, 8pm, $39-$94. The Soroya.

What’s the gift for this anniversary?

Celebrating its 30^th anniversary, Pacífico Dance Company takes to the al fresco stage for Desde México. With its signature blend of traditional and contemporary folkloric dance, the company brings two dance suites considering the Mexico’s colonial history intertwining Mexican Amerindian, African, and European cultural traditions. The Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Oct. 15, 8pm, $35-$65. The Ford Theater.

His Burt Bacharach moves

With costumes by Isaac Mizrahi and the music of Burt Bacharach arranged by frequent musical collaborator Ethan Iverson, choreographer Mark Morris and his Mark Morris Dance Group return with The Look of Love. The familiar Bacharach songbook won’t have the inimitable voice of Dionne Warwick, but singer/actress Marcy Harriell will lend her considerable skills to the iconic tunes, perhaps tempting an audience sing-along? The BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 20-21, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 22, 2 & 7:30pm, $60-$120. The BroadStage.

Spooky ballet #1

With its signature blend of ballet and aerial, expect Luminario Ballet’s ghostly vampire ballet to have spooks that fly through the nightclub that hosts this performance. Artistic director/choreographer Judith FLEX Helle has attracted highly skilled aerial artists plus some of the best freelance SoCal ballet dancers including members of Los Angeles Ballet who have some free time until Nutcracker season.  The event includes a general audience show and also has a pre-show dinner gala benefit to fund the company’s 2023 performances at Beverly Hills Annenberg Theater. This performance is at Avalon Hollywood, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood; Sun., Oct. 16, 8pm, $40-$125, pre-show dinner gala at 5:30pm, $350-$550. Eventbrite.

Spooky ballet #2

Pairing Halloween and Burly Q, American Contemporary Ballet continues three weekends of performances. Now in a new home, the company sends its accomplished dancers into creepy-time with Inferno and into the tease with Burlesque, and promising a surprise coda. ACB Studios, Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2850, downtown; Fri.-Sat., Oct. 14-15, 21-22 & 28, 8pm, $60-$140. American Contemporary Ballet.

The 5th edition

Based on the simple premise that dance belongs everywhere and to everyone, Elgart and Cultural Weekly (now Cultural Daily) launched Dare 2 Dance in Public in 2015. The online magazine invited submissions of short dance films responding to the challenge to dance in public places. The response was tremendous and a festival was born. Now in its 5th edition, a day-long event includes three programs of dance films screened at a new 300-seat venue plus a live Butoh-infused performance by Roxanne Steinberg and Oguri. Screenings begin at 2pm with International dance films, then a 4pm program with films selected from more than 60 submitted from China. Steinberg and Oguri\’s performance at 5:45pm precedes the 7pm finale with official winning films and honorable mentions. Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center, Vista del Mar Child & Family Services, 3200 Motor Ave., Cheviot Hills; Sat., Oct. 15, $15-$45. Eventbrite.

And still they persist

Deliberately staged in the murky, low level red light of a photography darkroom, the contemporary dance company Cassils brings Human Measure to the stage. The work uses photography as well as dance to tackle questions of how to exist and self-actualize in a society that persists with efforts to extinguish targeted groups. Choreographer Jasmine Albuquerque collaborated with composer Kadet Kuhne, lighting designer Christopher Kuhl, and a five trans- and non-binary performers. REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 13-15, 8:30pm, $25. REDCAT.

What did the feet see?

Promising a tale of crushed pomegranates and invisible cloaks in Through the Eyes of My Feet, Voices Carry brings its brand of contemporary dance to this free performance. The event marks the farewell performance of artistic director/choreogreapher Madeline Leavitt. Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, 1210 4th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sun., Oct. 14-16, 8pm, free with registration at Voices Carry.

Ready to dance again

Returning to live performance in its home theater after two years of pandemic closure, CSULB Dance Concert brings Variance with choreography by faculty member Keith Johnson and alum Dolly Sfeir. The program also includes works from BFA candidates Kendall Chatham, Tori Cone, Eliza Loran, and Julia Russell. Martha B Knoebel Dance Theater, Cal State University Long Beach, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, Live: Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 13-14, 8pm, Sat., Oct. 15, 2 & 8 pm, $25, Livestream: Thurs., Oct. 13, 8pm, $25. Tix.

What the audience knows

Through its quarterly, free Open Mic Night, MashUP Contemporary Dance Company offers several choreographers a platform to present a preview of their works.  The evening includes light refreshments plus a chance for the audience to ask questions and provide valuable feedback to the choreographers.  Mashup Studios, 2934 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Oct. 15, 7pm, free w/reservations at MashUP Contemporary Dance Company.

Like planes off LAX

Presented by Los Angeles Performance Practice, LAX Festival (Live Arts Exchange Festival) offers a week of dance and performance downtown at MOCA Grand Avenue and in the Little Tokyo warehouse known as Frankie. Duet with Paul Outlaw and Joe Seely opens the fest at MOCA (Mon., Oct. 17, 7:30pm). Casual offers Magnolia Yang Sao and Lydia Li at Frankie (Tues., Oct. 18, 8pm) then Chelsea Zeffiro (Wed., Oct. 19, 8pm). Back to MOCA for Jasmine Orpilla, Mark Golamco, and Jobel Medina (Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:30pm). Return to Frankie for the rest of the fest Mireya Lucio (Fri., Oct. 21, 8pm)., Ajani Brannum, Vanessa Hernandez Cruz, and Jennifer Jonassen (Sat., Oct. 22, 1pm), Tova Katz and Diana Wynn (Sat., Oct. 22, 8pm), and the finale with Cassia Streb (Sun., Oct. 23, 8pm). Frankie, Mission Road Studio, 300 S. Mission Rd., downtown; Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Info and ticket prices at Los Angeles Performance Practice.

Waltzing into town

Lively couples cover the floor with the spectrum of ballroom dance as the Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company offers Come Alive.  Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Wed., Oct. 19, 7pm, $15-$25. OvationTix.

A Peek at Next Week

Ananya Dance Theatre in Dastak: I Wish You Me at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood; Fri., Oct. 21, 8pm, $25, $15 students. Skirball Cultural Center.

BODYTRAFFIC at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri., Oct. 21, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 22, 2 & 7:30pm, $29-$99. The Wallis.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Wed., Oct. 26, 7:30pm, $39-$109. SCFTA.

600 Highwaymen – A Thousand Ways (Part Three): An Assembly at UCLA Royce Hall Rehearsal Room, Royce Hall, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 22-23, Also 2023, Feb. 4-5 & 11-12, noon, 1:30, 3pm, 4:30, 6 & 7:30pm. CAP UCLA.

Fanny Ara Trio — Flamenco at Corazón Performing Arts, 125 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga; Sun., Oct. 23, 8:30pm, $25-$40. Eventbrite.

bodies in play – work in progress at Diavalo Studios, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri., Oct. 21, happy hour at 7pm, performance at 8pm, free with reservation at bodies in play.

Jay Carlon, Micaela Tobin, and Carlo Maghirang at FilAm Arts Teatro, 2220 Beverly Blvd, Historic Filipinotown; Sun., Oct. 23, 2pm, $15. jaycarlon.com.

Heidi Duckler Dance – The Body of People at Founder\’s Church of Religious Science, 3281 W 6th St, Koreatown; Sat., Oct. 22, 5pm, $250. Eventbrite.

Versa-Style Next Generation Presents:Live True Dance Free at Inner City Arts, 720 Kohler St., downtown; Sat., Oct. 22, 2 & 8pm, $15.

Tokie Wong–Because you’re worth it at Sharon Disney Lund Theater, CalArts, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia; Sat.-Sun., Oct. 22-23, 8pm,  CalArts.

Gisèle Vienne\’s CROWD at LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Wed.-Thurs., Oct. 26-27, $45, $35 age 35 & under, $25 students. LA Dance Project, OvationTix. (note: may be sold out, contact venue re wait list)