For its 13th annual explosion of new and original creativity mixing all forms of dance with film, architectural sculpture, audience participation and even live performance, the internationally regarded and hometown-based Dance Camera West Dance Media Film Festival takes over Los Angeles this weekend into next (June 6-8+13).
With screenings, performances, awards ceremonies and an outdoor family-friendly dance-along, the literally themed “RESTRUCTURE” will inhabit familiar cultural sites including the Music Center, REDCAT and the Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as the expansive Grand Park and the landmark Union Station. Something for everyone, everywhere.
This year, the always-welcome barrage of two-dimensional dance events also pops off the screen with performances by our own BODYTRAFFIC and the LA Contemporary Dance Company. The former, a repertory company of 10 exquisite dancers, will premiere its new work choreographed by locally born but now Montreal-based Victor Quijada. This artist’s movement vocabulary is a hybrid of ballet and street moves (hip-hop and breakdancing), and the new work will be performed in and around and above and below a large scale “fast-formal” sculpture created by another internationally renowned homeboy, Gustavo Godoy. LACDC will mount their ode to the Igor Stravinsky score, “The Rite of Spring,” in their “Prite Oef Stringh” at Grand Park.
But, if you have to pick and choose, check out the festival schedule and assume you won’t lose with any choice. The internationally created shorts reveal a global perspective of what’s happening in the art form; the documentaries profile interesting and significant people and events; a panel discussion about the connection between YouTube and the art form sounds potentially viral; and the awards and live performances reveal a broad picture of the LA dance scene.
I’d love to hear about what you see and what you think.
—Benn Widdey, Culture Spot LA
Schedule: https://www.dancecamerawest.org/schedule.htm
Outdoor events are free, and indoor screenings cost no more than $15.
Tickets: https://www.dancecamerawest.org/tickets.htm
More information: www.dancecamerawest.org