An anti-lynching poem danced downtown, a take on race in Westwood, a festival preview in San Pedro, an Israeli dance troupe’s anniversary in Bel Air, World Dance in Santa Monica, and more SoCal dance this week.
5. Museum greets locavore dance
One of only two dance artists in the Hammer’s Made in L.A. 2018, taisha paggett has both an installation and a performance component. She describes her work as “durational actions” that raise issues of how institutions represent and sometimes distort matters of race and history. Paggett intends to raise those issues by moving black and brown dancers in a series of solos and duets within the museum’s galleries over four hours in this final event. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Sat., Sept. 1, noon to 4 p.m., free. 310-443-7000. https://hammer.ucla.edu.
4. Oaxacan festival
Dance, music and food (for purchase) from Mexico, specifically Oaxaca, it’s Feria del Tejate presented by El Grupo Folklorico Guish-Bac. Announced performing groups include Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera, Grupo Folklorico Princesa Donaji, Danza de la Pluma Xhan Dain, and Danza Azteca Qiaijto. Stoner Park, 1835 Stoner Ave., W.L.A.; Sun., Sept. 2, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., free. 310-462-5737, 323-891-9751.
3. A global festival
Santa Monica College’s world dance troupe Global Motion performs and offers dance lessons as part of the day-long Broad Fest. A complete line up and reservations at https://thebroadstage.formstack.com/forms/broad_fest_rsvp_2018. The Broad Stage, Plaza Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat., Sept. 2, 2 p.m.-7 p.m., free. http://theBroadStage.org.
2. Jewish culture festival
For more than three decades the contemporary dance company Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble has presented Israeli dance and folkdance emphasizing themes and stories from Jewish culture. Founding artistic director Eytan Avisar, choreographer Kobi Rozenfeld and the dancers take the stage for an evening that’s part show and part 36th anniversary celebration for this enduring ensemble. American Jewish University, Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Dr., Bel Air; Thurs., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m., $45-$100. http://teev.simpletix.com/event-list/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5201e527-b8dc-4187-81cf-db9fd274066e.
1. Anti-lynching considerations come current
The 1937 poem Strange Fruit became a metaphor for lynching, a signature song for Billie Holliday, inspired Pearl Primus’ celebrated 1945 modern dance interpretation and is the title of visual artist Haegue Yang’s installation. Part of MOCA’s permanent collection, Yang’s Strange Fruit becomes the stage for No)One Art House’s Chris Emile and three other dancers to consider the anti-lynching, anti-racism themes of of Abel Meeropol’s 80-year old poem’s sadly still relevant commentary. MOCA Grand Ave., 250 S. Grand Ave., dwntwn; Sun., Sept. 2, 3 p.m., free with museum admission, $15, $10 seniors, $8 students. https://www.moca.org.
Other dance of note:
Later in September, the full San Pedro ♥ Festival of the Arts will unfold, but organizer Louise Reichlin and her eponymous dance troupe offer this preview with several participating performers offering a taste of what is to come. First Thursday Art Walk, People’s Place, 365 W. 6th St., San Pedro; Thurs., Sept. 6, 7 p.m., free. http://www.lachoreographersanddancers.org., https://triartsp.com.
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