{"id":266814,"date":"2026-04-14T05:38:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T05:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/266814\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T05:38:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T05:38:19","slug":"diversificationing-l-a-dance-chronicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/266814\/","title":{"rendered":"Diversificationing | L.A. Dance Chronicle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dance diaspora gathers in Lincoln Heights; Argentine tango slinks into Irvine; Japanese cherry blossom dancing in Glendale; storybook ballet mystery solved in San Gabriel; choreographing musicians in Elysian Park; contemporary dance proliferates\u00a0in Hollywood, Santa Monica, Frogtown, Palm Springs, and Downtown LA, more SoCal dance this week, a peek at next week, and a message from your scribe.<\/p>\n

Live This Week (thru April 23)<\/p>\n

Gather round<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s three-day\u00a0LA Dance Festival 2026\u00a0brings a chance to sample a range of SoCal dance in one place. The sterling line up of performances is the tip of the festival that includes workshops and classes, plus the inevitable reunions, socializing, and networking bound to occur when the far-flung SoCal dance diaspora gathers together.\u00a0Day 1\u00a0opens the performance component with\u00a0Sean Greene, Maura Townsend (Maura Townsend Dance Project), Deborah Brockus BrockusRED, Jordan Harris & Scout Coneja (Place of Glances), Charlotte Katherine Smith (Charlotte Katherine & Co.), and\u00a0Savanna Scott.\u00a0Day 2\u00a0features work from choreographers\u00a0Ken Morris,\u00a0Natalya Janay Shoaf, Vanessa Hern\u00e1ndez Cruz, Corina Kinnear (Parl\u0101), Santiago Rivera, Nancy Dobbs Owen, Eliezer Rabelo, and Deborah Brockus (BrockusRED).\u00a0Day 3\u00a0closes the fest with dances from Benita Bike (Benita Bike\u2019s DanceArt), Louise Reichlin Desio (LA Choreographers & Dancers), Deborah Brockus (BrockusRED), Zoe Carter, Chakra Sokhomsan, and Ariana Chavez (Ariana Chavez & Company). At Brockus Project Studios, 618 B Moulton Ave., (free street parking), Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., April 17-18, 8 pm, Sun., April 19, 6 pm, $20, $50 festival pass. Zelle 562-412-7429 or Venmo @brockusProjectStudios or cash at door (Note your DATE when buying, tickets will be held at the door)<\/p>\n

\"Los<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dance Festival \u2013 Photo by Denise Leitner<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Perspectives on forevers<\/p>\n

The performance has become a highly anticipated annual event as choreographer Donna Sternberg unveils the alchemy that can result from pairing scientists with choreographers and members of\u00a0Donna Sternberg & Dancers\u00a0to capture and articulate in dance particular scientific concepts. This year the subject is PFAS (forever chemicals). The scientists are Laura Rabinow, Rachel Rogers, and Devavani Chatterjea. The choreographers are Nandini Kannan, Dustin Payne, and Sternberg. Two chances to see what this year\u2019s edition of\u00a0Awe and Wonder\u00a0has to show. At L\u2019espace Diavolo, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Sat., April 18, 8 pm & Sun., April 19, 3 pm, $39.19, $33.85 students.\u00a0Donna Sternberg & Dancers<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Donna<\/p>\n

Donna Sternberg & Dancers. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Premiere trios<\/p>\n

Having expanded from its Orange County base to a larger Southern California profile,\u00a0Backhausdance\u00a0brings a quartet of works reflecting where it is as it celebrates its 23rd anniversary. Choreography includes world premieres from alum Zachary Ryan Schlegal who is now with Shen Wei, and Megan Doheny with Ilya Nikurovoh who are known as \u201cOut Run the Bear,\u201d the return of\u00a0Everywhere but Here\u00a0from Tommie-Waheed Evans, and a new work from founder\/artistic director Jennifer Backhaus and long-time collaborator Amanda Kay White. At LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown Arts District; Sat., April 18, 8 pm,\u00a0Backhausdance<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Backhausdance<\/p>\n

Backhausdance \u2013 Photo by Shawna Sarnowski.<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Doing things right<\/p>\n

Choreographer\/artistic director David Parsons chose music by Milton Nascimento, Giancarlo De Trizio, and Yusuf\/Cat Stevens for the three works he choreographed on his\u00a0Parsons Dance\u00a0for this 40th anniversary tour. The company also brings dances from Courtney \u201cBalenciaga\u201d Washington, Robert Battle, and Robert Battle. Expect exceptional dancers showcased in polished performances, reasons why the company has gained praise for four decades.\u00a0At the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat. April 18, 7:30 pm, Sun., April 19, 2 pm, $52-$99.\u00a0Parsons Dance<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Parsons<\/p>\n

Parsons Dance Photo by Lois Greenfield<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Elysian fielding<\/p>\n

Choreographer Dimitri Chamblas donned director and choreographer duties, moving musicians instead of dancers around a park for a rare performance of John Luther Adam\u2019s\u00a0Crossing Open Ground.\u00a0Christopher Rountree was announced to conduct musicians from the LA Phil, Liquid Music, and USC Thornton School of Music in the Adams\u2019 work composed for musicians who move during the piece to alter where the music comes from and how it is heard. As of press time, the ticket website announced both scheduled performances have been cancelled. No reason posted. At Elysian Park, 835 Academy Rd., Elysian Park; Sat.-Sun., April 18-19, 6 pm, $20.\u00a0Crossing Open Ground<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Elysian<\/p>\n

Elysian Park in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of the park<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Dancing with AI<\/p>\n

The possibilities when movement meets Artificial Intelligence are explored by\u00a0Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener\u00a0in\u00a0Open Machine.\u00a0Shifting from live speech to speech-to-text, the choreographers are aided by electronic musician Mas Ysa, lighting designer Davison Scandrett, vocal artist Charmaine Lee, and a machine. At\u00a0\u00a0REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., Downtown LA; Fri., April 17, 8 pm, Sat., April 18, 2 & 8 pm, $27.\u00a0Rashun Mitchell + Silas Riener<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Rashaun<\/p>\n

Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Playing around<\/p>\n

Choreographer Andrew Pearson and his collaborators at\u00a0Bodies in Play\u00a0return with\u00a0Dance Is Pleasure.\u00a0Participating in the performance, as they did in the work\u2019s creation, are Celine Sauquillo Davis, Totu, Mare, William Miller Jr, MUDA, Divo Ordman, Sam Perna, and Pearson. At the Renberg Theater, LA LGBT Center, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Hollywood; Fri., April 17, 7:30 pm, $35-$72.\u00a0Bodies in Play<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bodies<\/p>\n

Bodies in Play. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Who dunnit?<\/p>\n

A classic Nancy Drew mystery involving a small town, the reading of a will, and the intrepid heroine\u2019s curiosity becomes dance as\u00a0New Classics Ballet Theatre\u00a0presents\u00a0The Secret of the Clock.\u00a0At Liya Art Center, 216 W. Las Tunas Canyon, San Gabriel; Fri., April 17, 7:30 pm, Sat., April 18, 2 & 7:30 pm, as of press time sold out except $8 standing room Sat. nite)\u00a0New Classics Ballet<\/a><\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New Classics Ballet Theatre. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
About justice<\/p>\n

A performance concludes a week-long residency with workshops and conversations facilitated by\u00a0Dancing Through Prison Walls.\u00a0Under the banner\u00a0Dancing Abolition, Community, Care, Justice,\u00a0choreographers\/dancers Bernard Brown and Terry Sakamoto, Jr. embody dances written inside Puerto Rico\u2019s Boyamon Prison. Translation of the Spanish text will be provided. Full line-up of the week and weekend events at\u00a0DTPW-Freedom Time<\/a>. Performance at The Hearth,18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica; Sun., April 19, 2 \u2013 5 pm, free w\/reservation at\u00a0Dancing Through Prison Walls<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DATA<\/p>\n

Dancing Through Prison Walls. Photo by Ciro Hurtado<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Embracing the broken<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s broke, flaunt it, might be the ethos of\u00a0kinsugi,\u00a0the Japanese art of regluing a broken object and topping the glue with golden dust, leaving an eye-grabbing gold line marking the repair and honoring what has been broken. That ethos is explored in\u00a0Innerstice\u00a0as\u00a0movement and music meld in a performance by\u00a0movers Mia Snape, Jalen Scriven, Kyson Kai, and Ellery Donlon, with composer\/pianist Takumi Kakimoto and cellist Danny O\u2019Connell.\u00a0Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Sat., April 18, 8 pm, $25, $20 students\/seniors.\u00a0Innerstice<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Diavolo\/Architecture<\/p>\n

Diavolo\/Architecture in Motion \u2013 Photo by George Simian<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Mesmerizing<\/p>\n

From flashy appearances in the Emmy and the Grammy awards, and\u00a0America\u2019s Got Talent,\u00a0to years of world wide tours, the jaw-dropping, split second choreography of artistic director Jacques Heim and his LA-based\u00a0Diavolo\/Architecture in Motion\u00a0has earned popular and informed acclimation. The company is home, reprising\u00a0Escape\u00a0that finds the dancers and gymnasts in a visceral exploration of individuals trying to break free. The tv appearances may have spread the word, but can\u2019t begin to capture the interplay of the movers and crescendo of powerful movement in a live Diavolo performance. This chance for the live experience of\u00a0Diavolo\u00a0should not be missed. At L\u2019Espace Diavolo, 616 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 6 pm, thru Sun., June 14, $39.\u00a0Diavolo-Veterans Project<\/a><\/p>\n

Working on it<\/p>\n

The quarterly showcase,\u00a0Choreography Open Mic Night,\u00a0returns with choreographers Melissa Valenzuela, Alexandea O\u2019Neal, Mara Hancock, Amanda Keller, Tetiana Skylarova, Lyss Salvador, Leslie Burn, Aston Titus, Isaac Knutson, and Katie Colvalt. Presented by\u00a0MashUP Contemporary Dance,\u00a0ten choreographers selected on a first-come\/first serve basis\u00a0offer work in progress or new work with a chance to mingle with the artists after the performances. At the Pickle Factory, 2926 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., April 18, 8 pm, $15.\u00a0Choreography Open Mic Night<\/a><\/p>\n

\"MashUp<\/p>\n

MashUp Contemporary Dance Company. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Argentine influencers<\/p>\n

Led by\u00a0Forever Tango\u00a0alums Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo,\u00a0Majestic Tango\u00a0brings eight dancers and six musicians with the moves and sounds of Buenos Ares. Dancers include\u00a0Noelia Guerrero with Martin Cardoso, Guillermina Quiroga with Mariano Logiudice, and Giovanna Dan & Guillermo De Fazio. At\u00a0Irvine Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, Sat., April 18, 8 pm, $34-$120.\u00a0Get Seats!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Majestic<\/p>\n

Majestic Tango. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Extending a platform<\/p>\n

Three works selected from the informal showcase series\u00a0The Dance Platform\u00a0receive fully staged performances as\u00a0Nickerson-Rossi Dance\u00a0presents\u00a0The Dance Platform Gala.\u00a0At the Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 N. Museum Dr., Palm Springs; Sat., April 18, 2 pm, $25.\u00a0Nickerson-Rossi Dance<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nickerson<\/p>\n

Nickerson Rossi Dance. Photo courtesy of the artist.<\/p>\n

\u00a0
\u2018Tis the season<\/p>\n

Enjoy the blossoming cherry trees and entertainment including Japanese dance, music, and song at the\u00a0Cherry Blossom Festival.\u00a0At Shoseian \u2018Whispering Pine\u2019 Teahouse, Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale; Sun., April 19, 10 am \u2013 3 pm, free (tea service $25 with reservation, call 310-849-5432).\u00a0Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

A Peek at Next Week (April 24-30)<\/p>\n

BlakTinx Dance Festival #14\u00a0\u2013\u00a0UNMUTED: Power to the People in Motion\u00a0at Crenshaw Yoga & Dance, 5426 Crenshaw Blvd., Crenshaw; Sun., April 26, 6:30 pm, $25.\u00a0BlakTinx Dance Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

Benita Bike\u2019s DanceArt Company\u00a0\u2013 Celebrating 45 Years of Dance at Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena; Sat., April 25, 8 pm, Sun,. April 26, 3 pm, $25-$45.\u00a0Benita Bike\u2019s DanceArt<\/a><\/p>\n

Inland Pacific Ballet\u00a0\u2013\u00a0A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream\u00a0at Lewis Family Playhouse, Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga; Sat., April 25, 4 pm, Sun., April 26, 2 pm, $43-$85.\u00a0Inland Pacific Ballet<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Los<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Ballet. Photo courtesy of the artists<\/p>\n

\u00a0
Los Angeles Ballet\u00a0\u2013 Giselle at the Music Center, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Thurs.-Sat., April 30-May 2, 7:30 pm, Sun., May 3, 2 pm, $50.60-$157.55.\u00a0Los Angeles Ballet \u2013 Giselle<\/a><\/p>\n

\u200b\u200bUSC Kaufman School of Dance\u00a0\u00a0\u2013\u00a0BFA Showcase\u00a0at USC Bing Theatre, 3400 Watt Way, University Park; Thurs., April 30, 7:30 pm, Fri., May 1, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sat., May 2, 2 pm, free with reservation at\u00a0BFA Showcase<\/a><\/p>\n

Boroka Nagy \u2013\u00a0A Tale of Two Tables: Un\/Covered\u00a0at United Methodist Church of Santa Ana, Fri., April 25, 6 pm, $25-$100.\u00a0Re:born Dance<\/a><\/p>\n

A note from your scribe:<\/p>\n

This Week in Dance is provided as a free service to raise the visibility of upcoming live dance performances and to provide a comprehensive weekly guide for audiences to find dance throughout SoCal. If TWID or the reviews or the previews or the interviews in LA Dance Chronicle have helped bring new audiences to your company or provided quotes for your grant proposals or have helped you as a dance fan discover new companies, please, if you are able, consider helping LADC during this Spring Fundraising effort.\u00a0 LADC is free, but the reviewing contributors are not.\u00a0 Thank you for supporting LADC, and keep sending info about your upcoming dance performances.\u00a0 Thank you for helping to keep dancers dancing! \u00a0 Info on contributing at this link<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Ann<\/p>\n

Featured image:\u00a0 Benita Bike\u2019s DanceArt at LA Dance Festival \u2013 photo by Dean Walraff<\/p>\n

Ann Haskins\u2019 Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dance diaspora gathers in Lincoln Heights; Argentine tango slinks into Irvine; Japanese cherry blossom dancing in Glendale; storybook…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":266815,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[131,133,132],"class_list":["post-266814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=266814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266814\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/266815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=266814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=266814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=266814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}