May is a time to spring into dance and LA’s dance scene is popping with performances. Here’s a round up of five dance shows to see in LA this weekend.
The Oldie but Goodie: “Parts & Labor” by Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre: Just like an antique car, Heidi Duckler’s "Parts & Labor" is an LA classic. Originally choreographed in 1993, this production is a re-imagining of Duckler’s dance set on a 1970s Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Dancers not only perform in and around the car, but percussionists play it like an instrument, banging on its hood and hub caps. Even decades later, the work’s exploration of Angelenos’ love/hate relationship with cars endures. (Santa Palm Car Wash, 8787 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, Saturday, May 7, 8pm. $17.35-$46.25.)
Spinning Sustainability: “Water Stories” with szalt: Drought, water conservation and recyclables are themes in this multimedia performance by the site-specific dance group szalt in collaboration with fiber artist Amabelle Aguiluz and composer Louis Lopez. Found sounds, community interviews, motorized music boxes and recycled artwork by Clare Graham are the backdrop for szalt’s performance, while Aquiluz's fiber installations and wearable sculptures intertwine with the dancers movement. (MorYork Gallery, 4959 York Blvd, Highland Park, Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 and 14 at 8:30pm. $20-$25.)
Dance by Design: “Dance + Design I: Shaping the Dancer” with American Contemporary Ballet: Just don’t get ballet? Never fear—American Contemporary Ballet’s Lincoln Jones knows how to break down the dance to its basics without dumbing down the art form. At Dance + Design I, Jones walks the viewer through a company class, followed by ACB dancers performing the opening pas de deux of George Balanchine’s "La Source." (The Bloc, 700 S Flower St, Friday, May 6, 8pm and Saturday, May 7, 4pm and 6 pm, Sunday, May 8 at 2pm and 4pm. $30-$50.)
British Invasion: “Romeo and Juliet” with Los Angeles Ballet: Los Angeles Ballet not only brings Shakespeare’s tragic love story to life, but it is also the first American company to mount the ballet version by English choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton. Kind of a big deal, considering that Ashton was sort of like the George Balanchine of Great Britain in his day and few ballet companies get the honor of performing his work. (Alex Theatre, 216 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, Saturday, May 7 at 7:30pm. $31-$99.)
Mommy and Me: Mother’s Day at the Ballet with The Colburn School: Remember all those times that mom twirled your hair into a bun or shuttled you to and from dance classes, recitals and competitions? Now’s your chance to take her out to the ballet. To cap off their year of pre-professional training, the dance students of the Colburn Academy present Mother’s Day at the Ballet, featuring choreography by dance greats like George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Kelly Ann Sloan. (Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, 450 N Grand Ave, Sunday, May 8, 6pm. $10.)