A vibrant New York visitor brings Latinx to Beverly Hills, one Cuban company cancels but another dances into Northridge, casual contemporary in Brentwood, faculty teach and “do” in Long Beach, spooky ballet downtown and in La Canada Flintridge, more SoCal dance, and a peek at next week.

Live This Week

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 month is it?

Just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, New York’s celebrated Ballet Hispánico returns. The popular LatinX ensemble is here so often, it\’s almost bi-coastal. This visit marks the troupe\’s debut at a new venue. The calling card, Noche de Oro promises the polished contemporary choreography and dance that has been the company\’s hallmark for 50 years. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri, Oct. 7, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 8, 2 & 7:30pm, $39-$125. The Wallis.

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.

MEN-toring

Among the line up of 16 performance, musical, and visual artists announced by LA Freewaves for X-aMEN-ing Masculinities, look for LA-based choreographer d. Sabela Grimes, Cassils taking time before its REDCAT opening, and the L.A. Parmelettes Drumline. The participating artists present installations and performances “X-aMEN-ing” masculinity from different perspectives. The website has details on all of the participants and the full range of scheduled events, including  the finale, a House Ball for male-identifying performers. LA State Historical Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown; Thurs., Oct. 6, 7:30 to 10:30pm, free w/registration at LA Freewaves.

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 Soraya.

Spooky ballet No. 1

Pairing Halloween and Burly Q, American Contemporary Ballet opens four 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. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 & 28, 8pm, $60-$140. American Contemporary Ballet.

Spooky ballet No. 2

A streamed film version is promised closer to Halloween, but this weekend Leigh Purtill Ballet Company offers two live performances of its seasonal themed Sweet Sorrow, a Zombie Ballet. Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Ave., La Canada-Flintridge; Sat., Oct. 8, 7pm, Sun., Oct. 9, 4pm, $20-$45. Leigh Purtill Ballet Company.

Casual contemporary

Performing in wearable artworks by visual artists Victoria Fu and Matt Rich, Milka Djordjevich and her dancers offer a sunset and a midday performance dubbed Ever Present. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; Sat., Oct. 8, 5pm & Sun., Oct. 9, noon. Free with timed admission at Getty.

Backyard benefit

Making good use of SoCal’s warm autumn, Lineage Dance celebrates with an outdoor benefit event filled with dance, food and drink. Private residence, address provided with ticket purchase. Sat., Oct. 8, 4pm, $150. Lineage Dance.

Last dance at the opera

In addition to having helmed her own company and multiple dance films, choreographer Kitty McNamee is a frequent name at the LA Opera and is back, providing choreography to the new production of Lucia di Lammermoor. McNamee has done a prior Lucia, one of almost a dozen LA Opera shows she’s contributed to. In this version, the director also includes a considerable video presence of the title character that involved McNamee’s movement skills. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sun., Oct. 9, 2pm. $20-$330. LA Opera.

Cancelled

Led by international ballet star Carlos Acosta, the highly anticipated local debut of Cuban contemporary company Acosta Danza at the Ford Theater has been cancelled. Whether tied to visa problems or Hurricane Ian’s impact on Cuba, the performances first had a date change, then the announced cancellation. Maybe next time.

A Peek at Next Week

Ballet Pacifico at The Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Oct. 15, 8pm, $35-$65. The Ford Theater.

Mark Morris Dance Group — The Look of Love at The BroadStage, 1310 11^th St., Santa Monica; Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 20-21, 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 22, 2 & 7:30pm, $60-$120. BroadStage.

Luminario Ballet at Avalon Hollywood, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood; Sun., Oct. 16, 8pm, $40-$125, pre-show dinner gala at 5:30pm, $350-$550. Eventbrite.

Oguri & Roxanne Steinberg — Dare 2 Dance in Public Film Festival at Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center, Vista del Mar Child & Family Services, 3200 Motor Ave., Cheviot Hills; Sat., Oct. 15, $15-$45. 5:45pm, performance. Also 2pm (International films), 4pm (Films from China), 7pm (official winners and honorable mentions). Eventbrite.

MashUp Contemporary Dance Company — Open Mic Night at Mashup Studios, 2934 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Oct. 15, 7pm, free w/reservations at MashUp Contemporary Dance Company.

Magnolia Yang Sao & Lydia Li: Casual at Mission Road Studio, 300 S. Mission Rd., downtown; Tues., Oct. 18, 8pm, $10. Los Angeles Performance Practice.

Voices Carry: Through the Eyes of My Feet at Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, 1210 4^th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sun., Oct. 14-16, 8pm, free with registration at Voices Carry.

Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company: Come Alive at Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Wed., Oct. 19, 7pm, $15-$25. OvationTix.