{"id":414769,"date":"2026-07-28T04:08:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T04:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/414769\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T04:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T04:08:18","slug":"situational-inspiration-l-a-dance-chronicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/414769\/","title":{"rendered":"Situational Inspiration | L.A. Dance Chronicle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Europeans in pointe shoes pirouette in Costa Mesa and Downtown LA; Chinese dance meets Street dance in Laguna Beach; adventurous contemporary in Lincoln Heights, Frogtown, and Downtown LA Arts District; puppets go rogue in Hollywood; dance film pop-up in Downtown LA Arts District; plus more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at next week.<\/p>\n

Live Performance This Week (ending August 6)<\/p>\n

Hugo who?<\/p>\n

Whether on a fashion runway, magazine photoshoot, or his main job as an \u00c9toile (principal dancer) onstage at the Paris Opera Ballet, Hugo Marchand draws attention. While his fame extends beyond ballet in France, Marchand starts to raise his ballet profile here with Ballet Now, an assemblage of European ballet dancers performing under the banner Superstars of Paris. The dancers arrive after performing in New York with reviews mostly rapturous with a few quibbling at particular items on the mixed bill being more \u201cpast\u201d, than \u201cnow.\u201d Still, the dancers represent the cream of this generation. Also, the dance card here lists mostly different works from New York\u2013gala staples like The Dying Swan and Roland Petit\u2019s Carmen Pas de Deux, as well as 20th century ballets like George Balanchine\u2019s Sonatine (1975), Hans van Manen\u2019s Trois Gnossiennes (1982), and the lip-lock kiss pas de deux from Angelin Preljocaj\u2019s Le Parc (1994). A full list of likely repertoire is at the website along with video clips of splendid dancers LA seldom sees live. The Music Center, Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Fri., July 31, 7:30 pm, Sat., Aug. 1, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Aug. 1-2, 2 pm, $36-$163. Ballet Now: Superstars of Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Hugo<\/a><\/p>\n

Hugo Marchand & Hannah O\u2019Neill \u2013 Photo by Steve Pisano.<\/p>\n

International reach<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s MovementFest LA present its Performance Lab Showcase pairing LA-based Jobel Medina with the duo Rebecca Laufer (American) and Mats Van Rossum (Netherlands) who work in Europe. The event reflects the process and results from the programs\u2019 three week residency. Info on this and other upcoming events\/performances at the website. At LA Dance Project Studios, 3325 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Fri.-Sun., July 31 \u2013 August 2, 8 pm, $40-$75. Performance Lab<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Jobel<\/a><\/p>\n

Jobel Medina \u2013 Photo by Sal Ceja Garcia.<\/p>\n

Making connections<\/p>\n

Choreographers\/dancers Marissa Mahoney and Rachel Turner unite for Implied Lines. The dancemakers\u2019 movements evokes connections and storylines in two evenings of dance. At Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., July 31-Aug. 1, 8 pm, $25, $20 students\/seniors. Highways<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Marissa<\/a><\/p>\n

Marissa Mahoney & Rachel Turner \u2013 Photo by Sofia Lareau.<\/p>\n

Festival launch<\/p>\n

Festival #1<\/p>\n

SoCal\u2019s Versa Style Street Dance Company takes street dance to the sand, opening this summer\u2019s Laguna Dance Festival. Full details on this and other festival performances, workshops, conversations, and more at the website. At Main Beach Cobblestone, Laguna Canyon Rd & Beach St., Laguna Beach; Thurs., Aug. 6, 5 pm, free. Versa Style Street Dance Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Festival #2<\/p>\n

The first day of the Laguna Dance Festival continues as Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance brings its artistry inside the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach; Thurs., Aug. 6, 7 pm, free. Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style Street Dance Company \u2013 Photo courtesy of the artists.<\/p>\n

Working on it<\/p>\n

Presented by MashUP Contemporary Dance, the quarterly showcase, Choreography Open Mic Night, returns. The evening usually selects ten choreographers offering work in progress or new work with a chance to mingle with the artists after the performances. At the Pickle Factory, 2828 Gilroy St., Frogtown; Sat., Aug. 1, 8 pm, $15. Choreography Open Mic Night<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"MashUp<\/a><\/p>\n

MashUp Open Mic \u2013 Photo courtesy of the artists.<\/p>\n

When puppets improv<\/p>\n

The son of Muppets creator Jim Henson, takes his dad\u2019s puppet concepts into a cast of rebellious puppets, crosses them with The Groundlings-style improv, adds a large dose of uncensored Avenue Q sensibility, then puts the brew into the hands of masterful Henson Company puppeteers. The result is Brian Henson Presents \u2013 Puppet Up! Each distinctive show includes improv driven by audience suggestions along with recreated classic Henson sketches, some not seen in decades. Recommended for age 16 and older (actually those under age 16 are not admitted because of where the improv may veer). At the Montalb\u00e1n Theatre, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood; Fri., July 31 & Aug. 7, 8 pm, Sat., Aug. 1 & 8, 3 & 7 pm, Sun., Aug. 2 & 9, 5 pm, $71.70-$87.10. Puppet Up!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brian<\/a><\/p>\n

Brian Henson Presents \u2013 Puppet Up! Uncensored \u2013 Photo courtesy of Center Theatre Group.<\/p>\n

Trading camera for stage<\/p>\n

Commercial choreographers are usually in service to others and having their moves be sliced and diced by editors for music videos, advertisements, television, and film. Choreographer\u2019s Carnival allows uninterrupted stage time for choreographers to show their creative side and maybe audition for their next commercial gig. At the Vermont Hollywood, 1020 N. Vermont Ave., East Hollywood; Thurs.- Sun., July 30-Aug. 2, 9:30 pm, $31.86-$43.87 (includes fees). Choreographer\u2019s Carnival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Getting together<\/p>\n

Dance as seen by SoCal filmmakers, curated by the savvy eyes at LA POP UPS, Dance Camera West, and MVMT Fest LA, are presented in this one night only event. The screening includes a \u2018talk back\u2019 session with the filmmakers. At LA Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Wed., July 29, 8 pm, $22.50 \u2013 $38.50. LA Pops Up<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Great Clown Bank Show \u2013 Photo by John Dlugolecki.<\/p>\n

Send in the last clowns<\/p>\n

Created and directed by Hank Jacobs, who also acts as the \u201cringmaster,\u201d The Great Clown Bank Show is described as a \u201cburlesque on income inequality in 15 circus acts.\u201d Promising a blend of dance and circus, including a clown pas de deux, the show will include a weekly guest circus act. At the Open Fist Theater Company @ the Atwater Village Theater, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village; Fri., 9 pm, Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 7 pm, thru Sat., Aug. 1, $35.25, $31.25 seniors, $22.25 students. The Great Clown Bank Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Mexodus<\/a><\/p>\n

Mexodus \u2013 Photo by Thomas Mundell.<\/p>\n

Southbound escape<\/p>\n

Choreographer Tony Thomas provides the moves as the award-winning hip-hop musical Mexodus unearths the story of a southbound Underground Railroad that led 4,000 to 10,000 enslaved people to seek freedom in Mexico. The two-person show began at Berkeley Repertory Theater which also nurtured Ain\u2019t Too Proud, the hit Motown musical about The Temptations. Mexodus moved east after highly successful runs, including off-Broadway where it picked up impressive attention. Thomas is the choreography part of the artistic team led by creators\/performers Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson and director David Mendiz\u00e1bal. At the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Thurs.-Fri., 8 pm, Sat., 2 & 8 pm, Sun. 2 pm, thru Sun., Aug. 2, $40-$127. Mexodus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A two-fer<\/p>\n

This annual gala for the respected training company, Festival Ballet Theatre, has a professional performance preceded by a performance by promising pre-professionals. The professionals announced for the 17th annual Gala of the Stars include Constantine Allen (Dutch National Ballet), Braylong Browner, Alessandro Frola (Vienna State Opera), Nikolas Gaifullin (Louisville Ballet), Peter Hull (Stuttgart Ballet), Maria Khoreva (Mariinsky Ballet), Paloma Livellara (Vienna State Opera), Kloe Walker (New York City Ballet), Madison Young (Vienna State Opera), and Andres Zuniga (New York City Ballet). The earlier performance features ten pre-professional prot\u00e9g\u00e9s. At Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs., Aug. 6, Inspired Young Proteges-6 pm, Gala of the Stars\u2013 7 pm, $101.50-$169.50. Festival Ballet Theatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Gala<\/a><\/p>\n

Gala of the Stars \u2013 Photo courtesy of Festival Ballet.<\/p>\n

Sign of summer<\/p>\n

Watch or join in as the Friday night summer series Dance DTLA celebrates cumbia this week. Instruction precedes the open dancing. All free. A complete list of upcoming dance genres at the website. At the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Fri., July 31, also Aug. 7 (Afro Beats) & 14 (Bollywood), 7-11 pm, free. Dance DTLA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Dance<\/a><\/p>\n

Dance DTLA \u2013 Photo courtesy of the Music Center.<\/p>\n

Another sign of summer<\/p>\n

Part public performance, part participatory dance party, and free! The outdoor Tuesday Night Dance series hosts the first of two Tuesdays devoted to hip hop dance. See the website for dance styles coming up on Tuesdays thru Aug. 25. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Tues., Aug. 4, 6:30 pm. free. Tuesday Night Dance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Peek at Next Week (August 7-13)<\/p>\n

BrockusRED \u2013 Every Scrap of Grace at BPStudios, Brewery Arts District, 618 B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 7-8, 7:30 pm, Sun., Aug. 9, 6:30 pm, $20. Zelle 562-412-7429\u00a0 Venmo@Brockusprojectstudios<\/p>\n

LA Dance Project \u2013 Performance Lab Culmination Show at LA Dance Project Studios, 3325 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown LA Arts District; Fri.-Sat. Aug. 7-8, Sun., Aug. 9, 5 pm, $40-$75. LA Dance Project \u2013 Performance Lab Culmination Show<\/a><\/p>\n

Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater \u2013 Nuttin\u2019 But a Word at Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 7-8, 7 pm, $78, $25 (+fees) Rennie Harris<\/a><\/p>\n

Jodie Gates\/Peter Chu \u2013 Voices Unbound at Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach; Sun., Aug. 9, 7 pm, $78, $25 student (+fees). Jodie Gates\/Peter Chu<\/a><\/p>\n

Lula Washington Dance Theatre \u2013 Angels on Crenshaw\u00a0\u00a0at Lula Washington Dance Theatre Studios, 3773 Crenshaw Blvd., Crenshaw; Sun., Aug. 9, 2-5 pm, $33.85-$108.55. LWDT-Angels on Crenshaw<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Lula<\/a><\/p>\n

Lula Washington Dance Theatre \u2013 photo by Kevin Parry.<\/p>\n

Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company at Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara; Fri., Aug. 7, 7:30 pm, $52-$152. \u00a0Siudy Garrido Flamenco\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Tablao Zano Flamenco at the New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara; Sun., Aug. 9, 7:30 pm, $49-$65, $30 student. Tablao Zano Flamenco<\/a><\/p>\n

Bob Baker Marionette Theater at The Ford, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sun., Aug. 9, 11:30 am, $13 (+$2 fee).\u00a0\u00a0Bob Baker Marionette Theater<\/a><\/p>\n

Dance DTLA \u2014 Afro Beats at the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Fri., Aug. 7 & 14 (Bollywood), 7-11pm, free. Dance DTLA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tuesday Night Dance \u2014 hip hop at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Tues., Aug 11, 6:30 pm. free. Tuesday Night Dance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Featured image: Hugo Marchand \u2013 Photo by Steve Pisano.<\/p>\n

Ann Haskins\u2019 Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Europeans in pointe shoes pirouette in Costa Mesa and Downtown LA; Chinese dance meets Street dance in Laguna…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":414770,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[48,52,51,47,50,49],"class_list":["post-414769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles","tag-la","tag-la-headlines","tag-la-news","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-headlines","tag-los-angeles-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414769","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=414769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/414770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=414769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=414769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=414769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}