Steps: October 9, 2008
By Ramie Becker
Embrace Fusion
Since this whole “globalization” thing doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, a wildly enthusiastic embrace of cultural fusion is undoubtedly the thing to do. On that note, Sufi dance innovator Banafsheh combines Sufi ritual, Persian dance, Flamenco, and Tai Chi in Mirror, an evocative reflection on the commonalities of human experience. Bringing together Banafsheh’s company, Namah, and the world-renowned Persian/Middle Eastern percussion ensemble Zarbang, Mirror is an evening of ecstatic whirling, dynamic drumming, and fusion, sweet fusion. Mirror is one night only, this Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell. 4401 W. 8th St., L.A., (818) 887-7878. www.namah.net.
Read My Hips
A veritable pantheon of Middle Eastern Dance companies and artists raise the polemics of cultural appropriation, gender performance, sexuality, and stereotype in An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance, which promises controversy and warns of nudity (and other content not suitable for children). Now in its ninth season, EEMED gives Middle Eastern and belly dance practitioners a stage to present works not suitable for the “restaurant/exotic entertainment” venues to which they are often limited. Watch what happens when these artists get to speak, er, move their minds, and don’t have to compete with the baba ghanoush course. At the Electric Lodge for two weekends only, Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m. 1416 Electric Ave., Venice, (310) 306-1854. www.eemed.com.
Experience Group Psychodynamics
L.A. Contemporary Dance Company debuts Peephole/People, an “exploration of the interior” choreographed by Kate Hutter and Kevin Williamson. Using improvisational techniques, floor-based movement, and nuanced gesture, Peephole dives into the chaotic logic (or logical chaos) of the human psyche to reveal (and aestheticize) its frailty and strength. On the heels of last year’s pinkyswear, Hutter and Williamson have earned mad cred in dancerly circles, and LACDC has emerged as a shimmering beacon of corporeal vitality, shuddering-honest movement, and blisteringly strong talent. Performances are at the Diavolo Performance Space, Oct 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. 616 Moulton Ave., L.A., (323) 623-9003. ladanceco.org.
StarCopulate with Big Business Ballet
A grand synthesis of everything that is so right/wrong with the Dance Establishment, Miami City Ballet performs the West Coast premiere of Nightspot, an unlikely collaboration between Twyla Tharp and Elvis Costello, featuring costumes designed by Isaac Mizrahi. That potential monstrosity aside, Miami Ballet’s program for the Music Center also includes classic repertoire pieces Tarantella and Symphony in Three Movements by George Balanchine. Pre-performance talks start an hour before curtain, which, if they involve Twyla, are often amusingly surly. Happy tip-toeing! It all goes down at, where else, the Music Center, Oct. 24-25, 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26, 2 p.m. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, (213) 972-7211. musiccenter.org.
Encourage Physical Violence Between Men
As he’s called the “Almodovar of dance,” Damian Munoz’s reputation for intensely visceral choreography precedes him. In a first-time collaboration with Catalan choreographer/performer Jordi Cortes, Munoz presents Oleles, a physically explosive duet about two men probing the history of their shattered friendship. Based on Sandor Marai’s literary masterpiece Embers, this duet promises to be a riveting, bitterly smoldering performance. Cortes and Munoz bring their brink-of-violence dance-story to REDCAT Nov. 6-8, 8:30 p.m. 631 W. 2nd St., (213) 237-2800. redcat.org.
Read Your Hips
Feel the desire to try some shimmy on yourself? Amara, producer of EEMED and director of Ya Helewa! dance company, is currently teaching beginning through advanced level Belly Dance classes, steeped in the history and culture of Middle Eastern dance. Beginning-Intermediate level is Wed., 7:45 p.m. Intermediate-Advanced is Sat., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feel free to drop in any week, and wear comfortable clothes (no shoes required). 17550 Burbank Blvd., Ste. P-1, Encino, (818) 906-1947. amaradances.com.
Published: 10/08/2008
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