Modern Dance Meets Macchiato: Sit, Sip & Be Moved

Contemporary artists are always trying to get their work out there and in front of people other than their friends and family. It's a challenge in this busy, high home entertainment, car culture of a society we live in here in Los Angeles. Local modern dance choreographer Keith Glassman, with roots in New York City, is doing his best to attack this virus.

As theChoreographer-in-Residence at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica last year, the dance maker brought a group of fifteen performers to the site and created a work for dancers, musicians and a couple surfers that was presented to the public throughout the grounds of this seaside landmark. This month, the man has renewed his Coffeehouse Dances project and, as he did in 2007 and 2010, is bringing new work for two dancers to local cafes. That's right, dancers up close and personal as we slurp our lattes and tinkle our laptop keypads.

The final performances of the tour take place Saturday at 4pm in the Ragazzi Room near USC and 8pm at Sabor y Cultura Caféin Hollywood. Both events are free (the best price) and funded by city and county arts organizations.

Exploring the theme of current and past events at java joints, Glassman's company is highlighting moments from the beatnik era, French New Wave cinema and terrorist attacks at international gathering places. But, rather than revealing much about the who, what, where, when and how of these examples, the dance creator acknowledges that these are merely the jumping off points for his work.

Along with dancers Louie Cornejo and Rachel Lopez, composer/musicianDaniel Corralhas added live accordion, drums (think bongos) and keyboards to suggest the diverse environments.

Check out a previous cafe event below and stop by for a cuppa joe and live art!