This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The A.W.A.R.D. Show Comes to LA!
Bradley Michaud of Method Contemporary Dance, courtesy of REDCAT and the artist
Starting tonight and running all weekend, our very own home for new and exciting performance, REDCAT will host a four evening “contest” for audience-decided best (modern) dance in the area. Part of a national six-city event created in New York in 2005, The A.W.A.R.D. Show! presents the work of 12 local dancemakers chosen by a national panel of cognoscenti. Each choreographer will show a short piece on one of the first three nights (Thursday-Saturday) and the audience-voted “best” of each night will then go to the closing round on Sunday. The final winner takes home $10,000 earmarked for the creation of a new dance and the two runners up will pocket $1000 each.
Cryptically labeled to identify a much-desired meeting of minds—Artists With Audiences Responding to Dance, each production will include a post-performance moderated discussion with voting taking place after that. Following this conversation, there will be a reception to encourage further informal dialogue about what's been seen. Here in Los Angeles, the participating artists range from the barely known to those who have already made a mark on the contemporary dance scene. In my eyes, each program is as good as the next and, though the closing night includes the preceding nights’ “winners,” one of those preliminary evenings may even be better (to me). So, I’m planning on seeing them all!
It’s not often that one artist is supported with this much resource, but it’s certainly appropriate and deserved. The funding for this enterprise came, at the onset, from one private philanthropy and now, big business has come into play! The artists are a bit bemused by the competitive structure, but, hey, the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow is nothing to sneeze at.
Definitely worth checking out!
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
