Momma Still Dances Like a "Mother.F*cker." at Highways in Santa Monica

In professional contemporary concert dance, now and probably historically, most females dance until their bodies are exhausted or until they find other interests in life. Thereafter, though many leave the performance world and seek their bliss in other ways, some stay in the thick of things as they take on other activities, experiences and callings. Choreographer/dancer Christine Suarez is bringing two sides of her life—dancing and new motherhood—front and center in "Mother.F*cker." this weekend at Santa Monica's Highways Performance Space. Recently dubbed "a hub of experimental theater, dance, solo drama and other multimedia performance" by the Los Angeles Times, this premiere seems right in line with the venue's accolades.

Presenting a personal, seldom seen and articulated perspective of the life of a first-time mother and professional movement artist, this limited engagement includes a Saturday matinee as well as 8:30 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

The afternoon event consists of Suarez's solo about the duality of the maternal experience, as well as a group performance of "The Motherhood Exchange Project." This piece is a collaboratively created dance/theater work that explores maternity and is sculpted by pregnant or parenting students from the continuation school, Arleta Cal-Safe High.

Under the auspices of The HeArt Project and over a period of 10 weeks, Suarez worked with the Arleta Cal-Safe students to produce what the choreographer describes as "an empowering exchange among the student/performers and the audience, to de-stigmatize what it means to be a 'teen mom' and find ways to create identification and empathy."

Sounds moving already! And, from the clip below, it looks like there's a great sense of humor surrounding the whole experience. Take a peek and drop into Highways sometime this weekend. Tickets are available here.