Ate9 presented the world premiere of Joy, choreographed by Danielle Agami, on November 11, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

(L-R,F-B) Jobel Medina, Montay Romero, Chris Hahn, Bronte Mayo, Paige Amicon, Cacia LaCont, Nat Wilson, Jordyn Santiago, Evan Sagadencky, and Isaiah Gage (on cello)

The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, considered among LA’s major producing and presenting organizations and widely hailed as one of the country’s leading venues for dance, is committed to showcasing Los Angeles-based dance companies. Headlining at the world-class Wallis has helped foster a sense of arrival for a number of local troupes who have stellar international reputations but have often felt overlooked in their own city, where presenters often prioritize groups from outside the area over local ones. Continuing to build upon that legacy, this season The Wallis recently wrapped as part of its fall programming a four-week dance series featuring three acclaimed local companies.

The programming opened October 14-16, with Tina Finkelman Berkett’s BODYTRAFFIC, which returned to conclude last season’s COVID-19-interrupted Wallis residency with the world premiere of Recurrence, a duet created by company member Ethan Colangelo, proclaimed a “gifted choreographer on the precipice of a potentially brilliant career” in LA Dance Chronicle’s review of the performance. The same review declared the second work presented by the company, Hoffesh Shechter’s Dust, “a masterful work of stunning importance.” Set for six dancers to a rich soundtrack composed by the choreographer himself, it takes a dark look at the powers that steer us in today’s society.

Additionally, the 70-minute program included Alejandro Cerrudo’s whimsical PACOPEPEPLUTO, and Micaela Taylor’s engaging SNAP, set to music by James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” that urges us to “snap out” of the social pressure to conform. Of the dance company and its Wallis engagement, the review further stated, “Kudos to the Wallis for recognizing the brilliance of BODYTRAFFIC and for bringing them to local audiences through their Company In Residence program. If this is the level of dance at The Wallis we should all look forward to what comes next.” In other coverage of the program, the noted blog LA Dance Review asserted: “When it comes to elite contemporary concert dance in LA, it doesn’t get better than BODYTRAFFIC. The caliber of this company, its repertory, and sleek production value is akin to the biggest company names worldwide.”

The dance series continued October 29 and 30 with The Wallis debut of noted LA-based dancer/choreographer Micaela Taylor’s The TL Collective presenting three of her original works fusing theatrical hip-hop and contemporary dance, including the world premiere of Time and the deeply expressive Drift, about self-growth and the challenge of remaining consistent when life is constantly changing. TLC’s program concluded with ‘90Sugar, a whimsical fantasy spin on life as a young adult in this modern world that integrates spoken dialogue and draws inspiration from the 1990s – the decade in which Taylor and her company members were born. Critic Victoria Looseleaf decreed in Fjord Review, “This magnetic performer and her troupe of seven shredded the stage.” She called Taylor “the complete package…(a) Star, with capital ‘S.’”

LA-based Ate9 Dance Company wrapped The Wallis’ fall dance programming November 4-6 with the world premiere of the feature-length work Joy, a humorous and poignant reflection on human habits and addictions choreographed by Artistic Director Danielle Agami with live music by Isaiah Gage. Integrating Agami’s own movement practice called Oomi with other dance styles including the Gaga movement language, Joy, is “tailor-made for our post-pandemic word,” according to Cultural Attaché. Offering additional insights into the piece, Colorado Boulevard said, “Each dancer tells their own life story, sotto voce and brash, intimate and daring, ten bravuras that leave us spellbound as much because of their artistry as because of their total idiosyncrasy.”

The Wallis gave an additional boost to the local dance scene this fall while further extending its own reach into the community when it co-presented LA’s own Jacob Jonas the Company’s ACTIVATE LA, a series of outdoor dance programs presented at three different venues across Los Angeles, including Century Park (October 1 and 2); ROW DTLA (October 22-24); and Water Garden Santa Monica (November 12 and 13).

The TL Collective performed the world premiere of Time, choreographed by Company Founder Micaela Taylor, on October 29, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

(L-R) Matt Luck and Micaela Taylor

BODYTRAFIC presented the world premiere of Recurrence, a duet created by company member Ethan Colangelo, on October 14, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

(L-R) Pedro Garcia, Paige Borowski

UPCOMING DANCE EVENTS AT THE WALLIS
Coming up this spring, The Wallis brings to its stage April 14-16, 2022 New York City’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet, one of the most recognized and respected performing arts brands in the world. The company, founded by Master Choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson, has been described by Dance Magazine as, “a new aesthetic in movement, stage picture, and performance concepts reflecting a post-modern, techno-savvy worldview.” The engagement includes the California premiere of SNATCHED BACK From the Edges, a stirring testament to the indelible human spirit set to a diverse soundtrack of spoken word and music by Beethoven, Jessye Norman, Aloe Blac, and gospel legends Shirley Cesar and Yolanda Adams. The program concludes with STARDUST, a bold, spectacular ballet tribute to prolific rock star David Bowie that has thrilled audiences around the globe. For tickets, ranging from $39 to $99, please visit TheWallis.org or call 310-746-4000.

The Wallis continues to inspire the next generation of dancers and dance lovers at its free monthly “Debbie Allen & Friends’ Dance Sundays.” Launched during the 2015-16 season by Wallis Board Member and three-time Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen, the fun, family-friendly classes held outdoors on the Promenade Terrace feature such dance styles as Salsa, African, Voguing, Flamenco, Hip-Hop and more taught by Debbie and her friends, who are among the most celebrated and accomplished dancers and choreographers working today. Classes, available to all ages and dance levels, are offered Sundays, January 9, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12, 2022, from noon to 2 pm. (Reservations are not required, just show up.)