Behave! or Isaac de Los Reyes will burn a hole in your soul

Dance
We love ‘Forever Flamenco’ — whether in its grandstand production at the (now under renovation) John Anson Ford Theatre, or in its cozy Hollywood home, the 80-seat summer sweat-box of sensual Spanish stagecraft, aka the Fountain Theatre. This weekend, ‘Forever,’ produced by Deborah Lawlor and James Bennett, presents Isaac De Los Reyes — a special ...

A hillside wonderland: John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in transition

Architecture & Design
We recently spoke to our friend Kim Glann, Productions Marketing Manager at the beloved John Anson Ford Theatres, managed by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. We learned that the landmark amphitheatre is closed, closed, closed for renovations this summer. Warning: if you go there by mistake, you’ll have to carry your picnic basket across ...

September’s dance reckoning in Los Angeles

Dance
For kids, September means back to school; for Jews, it’s the High Holidays. For dance lovers, an impossible surplus — even a Sophie’s Choice — of hot hot hot dance performances one September weekend. All augur certain fun, and because we’re in southern California each option combines nicely with an outdoor picnic. Nettlesome choices for dance fans! Fri ...

Rhoden’s RISE revisited

Dance · Music
Just loved getting another look at Complexions Contemporary Ballet romping through Dwight Rhoden’s exemplary “RISE,” set to a sound score by ’80s rock band, U2, last night at the Smothers Theatre of Pepperdine University’s Center for the Arts. The work, a kind of dance corollary to the ecstasy of a rock concert-on-fire, stands up well. ...

Flamenco’s furor to blaze in Deborah Lawlor tribute @ Ford Theatre 1

Dance
One of L.A.’s most accomplished arts impresarios will float in flamenco heaven this Saturday night when her helming of the 20-year-running series “Forever Flamenco!” will be honored in an all-star performance at the Ford Theatre. Deborah Lawlor, southern California’s key importer of the gypsy art form, will take a rare turn as spectator, and not ...

blue13’s “Into the Bollywoods” @ the Ford Amphitheatre this weekend

Dance
We chatted recently with Anchinta S. McDaniel, the vivacious artistic director of blue13 dance company. The audience-pleasing Bollywood dance troupe presents the choreographer’s newest creation at the Ford Amphitheatre this weekend. Sure to be eye-popping, noisy, and fun, McDaniel’s Into The Bollywoods (with apologies to Sondheim, we’re certain) has its premiere on Friday night. It’s ...