Gypsy flamenco artists sound off downtown and in Santa Barbara, contemporary dancers seek bridges in Brentwood, Frida Kahlo resurrected downtown, the first Nutcracker ballets sprout across town, more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at next week.
Let there be mending
The contemporary company BODYTRAFFIC brings a program seeking to find community amid the cultural and political forces that divide. The trio of works showcase the taut technique and vibrant artistry of this LA-based ensemble. In The One to Stay With, choreographers Baye & Asa took their inspiration from Empire of Pain, Patrick Radden Keefe’s chronicle of the toxic greed underlying the opioid crisis and plea for community. A love story set against the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Bloquea’o is the new work from dancemaker Joan Rodriguez. Choreographer Matthew Neenan’s A Million Voices set to iconic Peggy Lee vocals adroitly considers the duality of an individual being alone and as part of a group. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood; Tues., Nov. 28, $40, $20 students & seniors BODYTRAFFIC.
Gypsy tapas
Flamenco artists from Spain and the U.S. answered the call from artistic director María Bermúdez to take the floor for Flamenco! Sonidos Gitanos (Gypsy Sounds), a one-night only program of traditional and present-day gypsy flamenco dance and music. The performers include dancers Bermúdez and José Maya backed by multi-threat musicians and singers who include Diego Amador, Diego Carrasco, Pelé de Los Reyes, Ana de Los Reyes, Carmen Grilo, Curro Carrasco, Manuel Valencia, Ané Carrasco, and Coral de Los Reyes. After the program here, the ensemble moves to Santa Barbara for an encore. Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Sat., Nov. 25, 8 pm, $46-$129. LA Phil. Also at Lobero Theater, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Sun., Nov. 26, 7:30 pm, $45-$80. Lobero Theater.
Frida returns
Mexico City-based choreographer Ruby Tagle collaborated with the creators of El último sueño de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego), a new opera that considers what would happen if Frida Kahlo returned from the dead and confronted Diego Rivera. This production brings to the LA Opera main stage composer Gabriela Lena Frank and librettist Nilo Cruz. The duo created the mesmerizing Las cinco lunas de Lorca (The Five Moons of Lorca) that debuted LA Opera’s Digital Shorts initiative during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sun., Nov. 26 & Dec. 3, 2 pm, Thurs., Nov. 30, 7:30 pm, Wed., Dec. 6, 7:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30 pm, $16-$274. LA Opera.
(The Last Dream of Frida and Diego). Photo by Cory Weaver
And the First Nutcrackers Out of the Gate: Westside Ballet. World Ballet Series, Anaheim Ballet: American Contemporary Ballet, Degas Dance Studio (for complete details on these and more, see the 2023 Nutcracker Round Up).
A Peek at Next Week
Cal Arts Winter Dance at REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 1-2, 8:30 pm, $20. REDCAT.
BrockusRED: Extractions at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; Thurs., Dec. 7, 8 pm, $25, $15 students/seniors. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz.
High Voltage at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Fri., Dec. 1, 8 pm, $10. Electric Lodge.
Max 10. Electric Lodge, Scott Kelman Theater, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Mon., Dec. 4, 7:30 pm, $10. Electric Lodge.
And more Nutcrackers (no surprise).