The fall dance season starts up with contemporary dance in the Arts District, Thousand Oaks, Laguna Beach, and Lincoln Heights; flamenco in Orange; ballet in Dominguez Hills, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks, plus more SoCal dance, and a peek at next week (9/15 to 9/21)
Live This Week
On their toes
Led by the host company Kenneth Walker Dance Project, Balletfest celebrates the range of ballet arts from classical to contemporary. The program includes KWDP performing choreography by Salvatore Aiello, Contempo Ballet in work by Jose Costas, a ballet by Jana Taylor for CalliOpus Contemporary, plus dance from Elizabeth Lee, Samuel Young, Emma Giselle Mertens, Kelsey Morgaine, Jeff Raschiatore, and Kenneth Walker. University Theater, Cal State University Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria, Dominguez Hills; Sat., Sept. 9, 7:30 pm, $30. Tix.
Birds of a feather
Known for its physical choreography and binary approach to partnering, the contemporary troupe Flock offers an early peek at this year’s Laguna Dance Festival. Two free performances are part of this month’s Laguna Artwalk. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach; Thurs., Sept. 7, 6:30 & 7 pm, free. Laguna Dance Festival.
Taking the tablao
This flamenco show from Naranjita Flamenco features dancer Lakshmi Basile “La Chimi,” guitarist Antonio Moya, and singers Mari Peña and Manuela Moya. Naranita Flamenco, 301 E. Katella Ave., Orange; Fri. Sept. 8, 7 p.m. $35-$45 advance purchase, $50 at door. Naranjita Flamenco.
In residence
With visceral choreography reflecting their background with Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company, Bobbi Jene Smith + Or Schreiber continue their choreographic residence with their latest for LA Dance Project, the evening length Missing Mountain. Catch a preview at LA Dance Project. The dancing is at LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Arts District; Thurs-Sat., Sept. 14-16, & 28-30, $45, $35 seniors & under 35, $25 students. LA Dance Project Tickets.
Playing around
The former head of Fabe, Mallory Fabian, tries out some new moves she is developing for plans soon to be announced. Playlist at Brockus Project Space, 618B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Mon., Sept. 11, 7 pm, RSVP to malloryfabe@gmail.com.
Going classical
This music concert from New West Symphony includes Pacific Festival Ballet performing Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, choreographed by Kim Maselli. Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Sat., Sept. 9, 7:30 pm, $35-$120. Also at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, 4235 Mar Vista Dr., Camarillo; Sun., Sept. 10, 3 pm, $30-$120. New West Symphony.
On tour
Choreographer Dwight Rhoden and dancer Desmond Richardson, co-founders of Complexions Contemporary Ballet are back again after successful Music Center performances this past June. They return to two SoCal venues with a different program: Choke (2006), Elegy (2020), Untitled (2023), Snatched Back from the Edges (2021), The ENDGAME/LOVE ONE (2022) and an excerpt from Hissy Fits (2006). Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Wed., Sept. 13, 7 pm, $35-$104. Bank of America Performing Arts Center Also at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Sept. 16, 7:30 pm, $29-$99. SCFTA.
A Peek at Next Week (September 15-21)
7NMs| Marjani Forté-Saunders + Everett Saunders — Prophet: The Order of the Lyricist at REDCAT at Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Thurs.-Fri., Sept. 21-22, 8:30 pm, Sat., Sept. 23, 1 pm, $30, $24 students. REDCAT.
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company with Mariachi Herencia de México at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr., E.LA; Sat., Sept. 16, 7:30 pm, $20-$50. Ticketmaster.
National Dance Day at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Sat., Sept. 16, 1 pm, free w/reservation at SCFTA.