Los Angeles Dance Preview: DANCE+DESIGN II: THE GENIUS OF FRED ASTAIRE (American Contemporary Ballet and Da Camera Society)

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by Tony Frankel on April 4, 2014

in Theater-Los Angeles

I’LL TAKE ASTAIRE’S WAY TO PARADISE

The great ballet choreographer George Balanchine compared Fred Astaire to Bach, and Baryshnikov claimed Astaire gave him in inferiority complex. On April 5 and 6, the second program of the DANCE+DESIGN series will examine the beloved Fred Astaire and his extraordinary talent as a dancer and choreographer. This installment of the series takes us inside Astaire’s famous dance number with Rita Hayworth, “I’m Old Fashioned,” from the film You Were Never Lovelier. The Jerome Kern song will be performed live by some of L.A.’s finest classical musicians with singular music and dance insights by American Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Lincoln Jones, illustrated by ACB dancers.

The DANCE+DESIGN series is presented by ACB in association with The Da Camera Society, and offers audiences the opportunity to understand ballet from the inside in a program led by Jones, and highlighted by live dance and music demonstrations. The performances take place at ACB’s home at 5900 Wilshire (across from LACMA) and offer an intimate environment in which the audience site Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworthat the level of the stage. The performances are followed by a reception where patrons can meet the artists and dancers over refreshments and live jazz.

Jones founded ACB in 2004 in New York City, moved the company to Los Angeles, and formed a groundbreaking partnership The Da Camera Society in 2011. ACB currently produces original contemporary classical ballets in L.A.–works that are built upon the foundation of classical ballet, and which extend the art into our own time. ACB’s 2014 season continues in June and August with the MUSIC+DANCE:L.A. series–“A seductive and engaging synthesis of dance and music.” (Los Angeles Magazine)–featuring new ballets with the full ensemble alternating with full musical works performed live by some of L.A.’s most accomplished musicians.

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DANCE + DESIGN II
The Genius of Fred Astaire
American Contemporary Ballet
in association with The Da Camera Society
ACB DanceSpace
5900 Wilshire (across from LACMA)
Saturday April 5, 2014 at 2:00, 5:00 & 7:00
Sunday April 6, 2014 at 2:00 and 4:00
receptions following each performance
for tickets, call 800.838.3006 or visit www.ACBDances.com

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