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 an inferiority complex. Katharine Hepburn once said about his partnership with Ginger Rogers: “He gives her class, and she gives him sex.” Astaire himself said, “I don’t make love by kissing, I make love by dancing.”
But, above all, Astaire gave romance and sophistication to throngs of adoring fans. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, American Contemporary Ballet will present Astaire Dances, which will highlight the beloved Astaire and his extraordinary talent as a dancer and choreographer. After recreating his famous dances from You Were Never Lovelier, Silk Stockings, The Belle of New York and The Bandwagon, there will be an original number in the style of Astaire choreographed by Artistic Director Lincoln Jones (there will also be short comic dialogues).
Beginning February 1 and ending on the day celebrating the effects from those cute arrow-wielding cherubs, you can enter a black-and-white world glittering 32 floors above downtown, where your view of sparkling city lights will be complimented by champagne, gorgeous gowns, tantalizing tuxes, L.A.’s finest dance company, and live chamber music adapted from timeless standards (elegant evening attire encouraged).
I first saw ACB’s take on the expert of effortless elegance four years ago in their third season, and it remains one of the most enchanting evenings of dance in memory (with the seventh-season move to a year-round schedule, Astaire will become part of the company’s regular programming).
Bring a sweetheart, find a sweetheart, or celebrate the sweetheart that resides in everyone. Heaven. You’ll be in heaven.
photos courtesy ACB
Astaire Dances
American Contemporary Ballet (ACB)
The BLOC building, 700 S. Flower St., 32nd Floor
Feb. 1, 2, 3 at 8; Feb. 4 at 4;
Feb. 8, 9, 10 at 8; Feb. 11 at 4;
Feb. 13, 14 at 8
for tickets ($40 – $105), visit ACB Dances