Transit Space combines skateboarding and dance

(Photo by Randall Bass)

When I first heard about L.A.-based and world-renowned Diavolo Dance Theater's resident project at the Music Center, I knew I had to learn more. Skateboarding and dance - how does that work? Similar to MOCA's summer exhibit, Art in The Streets, Transit Space takes an American subculture sometimes frowned upon, and injects it into the world of - for lack of a better word - highbrow art.

Dance Downtown Zydeco and ExperienceLA's Final Dance Video Challenge: 60s Dances

We've been rather fortunate this summer in LA. The weather (so far) has been relatively comfortable, and the evenings nearly downright perfect. So what better way to enjoy the last Friday of July 2010 than dancing under the stars at the Active Arts at the Music Center's Dance Downtown series, where the featured dance style is Zydeco? I know it's where I'll be. Zydeco was also the subject of our latest video contest for July.

And now, our final video contest is "60s Dances." Read on to find out more about this contest and how you can enter to win. (Photo courtesy of Music Center, credit Alex Pitt)

Still time to enter for tickets to Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center

There's still a week left to get your video entries submitted to us for our Zydeco dance video challenge (also mentioned on Culture Spot L.A. and About.com's L.A. Travel section). One winner will be randomly selected and announced at the upcoming Dance Downtown Zydeco night, Friday, July 30 at 6:30PM. (Photo courtesy of Music Center, taken by Alex Pitt)

Must Love Cats - and Dance!

This Tuesday, I went to the opening night of one of the longest running, most anticipated (at least by me!), and very emotionally-charged musicals, CATS. I say emotionally-charged not because the musical has moments of joy, laughter, mystery, sadness and more, but that discussions about the musical always end up with people loving it or hating it, in the same way people love or hate cats (not kittens, of course - everyone loves kittens).


Of course, this is a generalization, and one does not need to love cats in order to enjoy the musical, CATS - but it helps. An interest in dance, especially modern dance, and a fondness for 80s nostalgia (especially leg warmers) also help. When I had first seen CATS in L.A., way back when, I could only remember the amazing makeup, costumes and large, "cat-sized" household objects of the extensive set. Now, I realized how talented and full of energy the cast must be in order to pull off what seemed to be a continuous dance movement. Rarely was there a still moment on stage. If the "cats" weren't dancing or singing, they were pawing, purring and playing like... well, cats!


For those anticipating the return of the magic and mystery, these performances will not disappoint. I've memorized every song from the musical, and still I enjoyed singing along (okay - actually just mouthing the words - I didn't want to ruin it for everyone else!) to my favorite ones. I was also pleasantly surprised by the extensive amount of dancing (not on the soundtrack!) and the little quirks of a live performance. The Rum Tum Tugger's (overly) confident drawl got extra laughs, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser's (slightly) skewed duet gave a neat twist to their song of mischief and mayhem,  and Skimbleshanks extra cheeriness (my personal favorite) really hit the spot (I always felt that Skimbleshanks was too uptight on the CD).

The first musical I saw as a young child was CATS, and from then on I was hooked. A variety of music, modern dance, leg warmers and cats all wrapped up with a splash of 80s nostalgia - what's not to love?




-Tiina Vuorenmaa

Love, Betrayal and Pirouettes?

Angelina Ballerina was one of my favorite children's book series as a little girl intrigued by whimsical illustrations of mice twirling and leaping in pink and yellow tutus. Despite the current shift to digital means, the tangible world of literature will always be close to my heart, invoking memories of the excitement I'd feel whenever I'd open up a cover to dive into yet another new dreamworld. Like I told a friend of mine the other day, I can't imagine curling up by the fireplace with a steaming cup of tea by my side, eager to dive into the world of my... e-book?

Speaking of dreamworlds... American Ballet Theatre (ABT) returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform Swan Lake, a romantic tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Click here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see this production of breathtaking choreography, lavish costumes, visually spectacular sets and Tchaikovsky's glorious score.

And leave it to LA to provide opportunities for children of all ages to meet Angelina Ballerina and pose for photos. Children can meet this favorite mouseling following the 2pm ABT matinee on March 29th. I'd go if I didn't already have plans... just kidding. Well, sort of.

Be sure to check out ExperienceLA for more ABT performance dates and times!

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant