A seasonal Butoh solo in Venice, Dutch dancers celebrate Frida Kahlo downtown, a summer dance fest in West LA, Brazilian dance in Hollywood, flower arranging meets contemporary dance in Little Tokyo, more SoCal dance this week (July 14-22) and a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Dance binging
Bringing an approach dubbed a “mini-fest,” Dance at the Odyssey curated by Barbara Mueller–Wittmann concentrates nine world premieres in a brief two weeks. For Friday’s opening and Saturday’s matinee choreographer Corina Kinnear and Hannah Millar share the stage. Kinnear’s premiere considers Lost Time. Millar’s new works include a solo, Everything Up To Now, and Boxed about feeling trapped, plus an excerpt from her full-length touring work Let Us Bleed, Then Heal. On Saturday, choreographer Alejandro Perez‘s premiere, Side by Side, explores how movers from diverse backgrounds can hone their different experiences into a collective identity. A full line up for the festival is at the website. Odyssey Theatre, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Kinnear & Millar on Fri., July 14, 8 pm & Sat., July 15, 2 pm, Alejandro Perez on Sat., July 15, 8 pm & Sun., July 16, 5 pm, the festival continues Fri.-Sat., July 21-22, 8 pm, & Sun., July 23, 5 pm, $25 or $60 pass for 3 shows. Odyssey Theatre.
Bio-ballet and some films
The finale for this year’s Gloria Kaufman Presents Dance series brings a bio-ballet plus a mini-film festival. The dance portion spotlights Europe’s impressive and adventurous Dutch National Ballet, making its Music Center debut in Frida, choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s exploration of the life of Mexican artist and icon Frida Kahlo. As part of the Dutch National Ballet’s visit, the Music Center partnered with Dance Camera West to sponsor a dance film festival, Dance in Focus: REFLECTIONS. Finalist films from more than 300 entries were selected by the judges and will screen outside in the plaza in conjunction with the performances and inside the theater for ticket holders. Dutch National Ballet in Frida at the Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri.-Sat., July 14-15, 7:30 pm, Sun., July 16, 2 pm, $34-$138. Music Center. The Music Center’s Dance in Focus Film Festival: REFLECTIONS, in association with Dance Camera West, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 n. Grand Ave., downtown; screenings at Music Center.
Together again
Continuing their three decade collaboration, Butoh proponent Oguri rejoins with composer Paul Chavez for this edition of Flower of the Season 2023 titled dance comes out of time. Like a haiku, these events are spare, thought provoking, seasonally-influenced reflections. Oguri is the solo dancer and Chavez provides the live sound score. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. Fri.-Sat., July 16-17, 8 pm, Sun., July 18, 3 pm, free with reservation at Eventbrite.
Finding fertile ground
In its new work seed, contemporary movement from Entity Contemporary Dance collides and collaborates with work from Haruko Takeichi, a master of Segetsu Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging). Seed is described as an exploration of the ephemerality of beauty and rebirth within nature and society. JACCC James Irvine Japanese Garden & George J. Doizaki Gallery, 244 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo; Thurs.-Fri., July 20-21, 8 pm, $28-$45. JACCC.
In the works
Like the soft opening of a restaurant, some choreographers like to put works in progress before small audiences to gauge what reads and what need clarification. Even when the work is not quite finished, choreographer Rosanna Gamson’s deserves attention for her insightful, often literature-influenced creations. Catch a peek at Gamson’s newest. Pieter Performance Space, 2701 N. Broadway, Lincoln Heights; Sun., July 16, 8 pm, free with reservation via email.
Brazil Night at the Bowl
Classical technique blends with popular Brazilian dance as Grupo Corpo take the stage in a program conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. The dancing is broadcast on giant video screens so even the nose bleed seats seem front row. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood; Tues., July 18, 8 pm, $6-$134. Hollywood Bowl.
A passionate mix
Welcoming visitors from Argentina and Spain, artistic director/performer Corina del Sol returns with España Flamenco, bringing both flamenco and tango to the stage. Announced guests include flamenco dancer/singer Yolanda Arroyo with her husband, guitarist Paco Arroyo. Tango guest Jordi Caballero performs with Ekaterina Fedosova. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sun., July 16, 3 pm, $27-$30. Electric Lodge.
Street dance in the park
Laying claim to the title of longest-running annual Hip-Hop event in the US, BBoy/BGirl Summit celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a variety of ‘battles,’ workshops, and panel discussions. Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sun., July 16, noon to 8 pm, free. Grand Park.
Next dance, next chance
Part participatory, part performance, the free, al fresco summer series Dance DTLA continues, this week showcasing Reggaeton. With roots in Caribbean and Latin American music with a dose of hip hop and dancehall, Reggaeton is a new addition to the line up. A (beginner or refresher) lesson at 7 pm is followed by a chance to dance or just watch and enjoy until 11 pm. If this week is not your style, the full line up of upcoming dance options is at the website. Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., July 14, 7 pm, free. Music Center.
On the line
Riffing on the musical A Chorus Line, Lineage Dance brings multiple generations of alums, teens to grandparents, for a storytelling, song, and dance event under the banner A Chorus Lineage. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena; Sat., July 15, 6 pm, $15. Lineage Performing Arts Center.
Sold out
Concluding the Orange County Tap Fest, the closing concert A Night in Time was sold out last week, even for standing room tickets. Shorebreak Resort, 500 E. Pacific Coast Hwy; Sun., July 16, 8 pm, sold out.
A Peek at Next Week
Dance at the Odyssey Fest at Odyssey Theatre, 2955 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., July 21-22, 8 pm, & Sun., July 23, 5 pm, $25 or $60 pass for 3 shows. Odyssey Theatre.
DanceDTLA: Country Line Dancing at the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., July 21, 7 pm, free. Music Center.