5 Dance Shows to See This Week, Including a Girl Who's Got to Change Her Evil Ways

Scott Belding

Donna Sternberg's Beauty and Desire

See also:
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*5 Best Comedy Shows to See in L.A. This Week
*Our Latest Theater Reviews
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.

This week's dance picks include a girl who's got to change her evil ways, a New York choreographer known for spicing his dance with fashion, a flamenco show from Spain, a first look at Paula Present's Lilly and Donna Sternberg's exploration of Beauty and Desire.

Eric Mason

L.A. Contemporary Dance Company

5. You've Got to Change Your Evil Ways, Baby!
Anyone who thinks listening to that snake made Eve the first female troublemaker hasn't heard about Lilith. Described in Jewish folklore as a demon goddess with an insatiable appetite for blood, Lilith, according to some interpretations of the Bible, was created at the same time as Adam, but left him to seduce an archangel before Eve was created. This bad, bad girl takes center stage as artistic director Kate Hutter and her L.A. Contemporary Dance Company join forces with Theatre Dybbuk for Cave...A Dance for Lilith. Written by Aaron Henne and choreographed by Hutter, Cave explores threads connecting ancient creation stories about the blood-thirsty goddess to contemporary issues of personal and political conflict. Hutter and Henne's two previous collaborations produced compelling dance theater, and the two co-direct this endeavor in addition to their writing and dancemaking duties. An original score by Eric Mason will be performed live. Diavolo Performance Space in the Brewery Arts Complex, 616 Moulton Ave., dwntwn.; Fri.-Sat., Nov. 9-10, 16-17, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 11 & 18, 7:30 p.m.; $25, $20 in advance; brownpapertickets.com.

Carol Petersen

Ptero Dance Company

4. Local troupes gather to Push Play 2
Curated by Janet Rosten, Push Play 2 brings several local troupes to the stage for a full evening of shared performances. Paula Present and her Ptero Dance Theater contribute two dances from their repertoire and a new, highly personal work, Lily, which references both the flower's symbolism and Present's beloved Aunt Lilli, who recently died. Other choreographers include Denise Leitner and Ken Datungan while songwriting team Milburn and Vigoda reimagine A Midsummer Night's Dream and Above Ground Dance contributes an aerial performance. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Nov. 9-10, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 students & seniors. (310) 315-1459, highwaysperformance.org.

3. Mixing fashion and dance in The Architecture of Loss
New York choreographer Stephen Petronio has a distinctive voice that effectively swirls elements of visual art, fashion, music and movement into his danceworks. Petronio and his eponymous company arrive with the West Coast premiere of The Architecture of Loss plus Underland. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine; Wed., Nov. 14, 8 p.m., $29-$39, $14.50-$19.50 younger than 30. (949) 854-4646, thebarclay.org.

Photo courtesy of Casa Patas Flamenco

2. Flamenco on the Westside
The Spanish government thinks highly of Casa Patas Flamenco. The Consulate General of Spain is sponsoring the current tour of this Madrid-based flamenco ensemble. Karen Lugo choreographed, directed and stars with Jose Maldonado in The DeMente Territor. The dancers get help from a singer and three musicians, all part of Casa Patas Flamenco. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., W.L.A.; Through Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., $40-$60, $25 students. 310-286-0553, theatreraymondkabbaz.com.

1. Beauty and Desire conquer cultural borders
Choreographer Donna Sternberg and her dancers consider scientific evidence that standards of beauty are similar among different cultures in Beauty and Desire. Guest choreographer Anandha Ray premieres Inhale and the company performs Parasites, a segment of the full-length The Flowering of Desire. The audience is invited to participate in a postperformance discussion with the artists. Brasil Brasil Cultural Center, 11928 W. Washington Blvd., W.L.A.; Sat., Nov. 10, 8:30 p.m., $20, $15 students, dsdancers.com. (310) 397-3667.

See also:
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*5 Best Comedy Shows to See in L.A. This Week
*Our Latest Theater Reviews
*Our Calendar Section, Listing More Great Things to Do in L.A.

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