[NoHo Arts District, CA] – On Sunday, October 16 at the Avalon Hollywood theatre, Luminario Ballet kicked off their 2022/23 Season with “Masquerade Macabre.” It is their first season since the covid lockdown back in March 2020. Seeing this beautifully choreographed show reminded me of how much I missed during the two and a halfv years of arts and culture isolation.
“Masquerade Macabre” is a quality production reflecting the talent and dedication of Judith Flex Helle, the dance company’s founder. I met Judith back in 2009 when she was creating this contemporary ballet and aerial dance company. Judith was determined and dedicated to give Los Angeles a home-based professional ballet and aerial dance company of the highest quality and creativity. Judith’s training and in-depth experience in all aspects of contemporary ballet, aerial, filmmaking and music enabled her to realize that dream. Luminario Ballet is now internationally known and recently toured India as the Cultural Ambassador for the US State Department representing the US values of equity, justice and diversity.
“Masquerade Macabre” began with a pre-show of jumbotrons surrounding the theatre with spectacular videos of dance routines performed by its talented company members from previous shows.
This production was vivid and exciting with a wonderful, creative mix of art forms, styles of music, and the great Master of Ceremonies, Grasan Kingsberry – Emmy Award-winning Broadway veteran of 11 shows, including “The Color Purple” and “Motown.”
The show presented several world premieres and included these spectacular performances.
“Witch Tango”
an aerial dance piece by Bianca Sapetto (“Quidam” Cirque du Soleil, Teatro ZinZanni) with music played live by the eight-octave range singer and composer Morgan Sorne.
“Tend”
A contemporary trio by emerging choreographer Adrian Hoffman for Luminario Ballet,a beautiful presentation all about tending to our fractured friendships post covid lockdown.
“Never Tell”
An aerial rope sling ballet by international aerial dance superstar Rebekah Burke (“Zumanity” Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas, “Queen of the Night” New York, “Palazzo”, Hamburg Germany, “The Act” in Dubai UAE, and much more. This piece won the U.S. Aerial Championships in 2015.
“Letterman”
From Schubert’s “Winterreise” commissioned by Angeles Concert Artists 2011 “Vampires and Ghosts” performed live from the dance film “L’Invalide” 2021 created with a grant from LA County Arts and Culture.
“Mandolin” and “Kashmir”
Pieces from “LedZAerial” 2009-2022.
There are not many opportunities to see professional ballet of this caliber so mark your calendars for their upcoming show..:
What:
Luminario Ballet at The Wallis
”Heroes, Sheroes, Eros” and “The Last Supper”
The company’s two programs include ”Heroes, Sheroes, Eros,” in which a collective of Luminario Ballet choreographers and special guests explore the tangled paths of history/herstory/ourstory; and “The Last Supper” – a rollicking tale of Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene’s visit to the Coachella Music Festival in 2017. This wild tale of the ages looks at themes of personality, Black Lives Matter, relationships, sexuality, drug addiction, betrayal, and resolution through explosive, emotional dance theater choreography from ballet to acrobatics to aerial dance.
Choreography by: Jamal Story, Dreya Weber, Bianca Sapetto, and Judith Flex Helle
When:
Friday and Saturday, February 17-18
If you are reading this review, you know the importance of keeping the arts alive. Please support Luminario Ballet’s return to the stage! Visit https://luminarioballet.org/.