The Music Center Presents the Acclaimed Brazilian Dance Company Grupo Corpo
Spring has sprung in the City of Angels, allowing for longer days and warmer weather. We are already experiencing summer-like weather.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Spring has sprung in the City of Angels, allowing for longer days and warmer weather. We are already experiencing summer-like weather.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are entering a season of dance in Los Angeles. If you like to bust a move, cut a rug, or watch professional dance companies, The Music Center has you covered.
You don’t have to wait to be invited to the Big Dance or to see how, where you rank concerning March Madness. Get ready for a dazzling journey to Brazil in dance and music.
Brazil’s beautiful artistry and culture take center stage at The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre with the highly anticipated performances of Grupo Corpo.
Grupo Corpo, one of Brazil’s renowned contemporary dance companies, will grace the stage at The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre for three performances, from May 2-4, 2025, celebrating the vivacity and diverse heritage of South America’s largest country. As the next dance troupe presented in The Music Center’s exhilarating 2024/2025 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. Grupo Corpo— whose name means “Body Group” in Portuguese— returns to L.A.’s performing arts center for the first time since 2011 and promises to captivate Angelenos with two intoxicating works, 21 and Gira, which blends classical ballet, folk traditions, and bold choreography. “Grupo Corpo gives off high heat,” explains the Los Angeles Times.
(Photo by Jose Luiz Perderneiras)
Rodrigo Pederneiras’ groundbreaking work 21 (1992) is a ballet divided into three movements that weave the company’s 22 dancers into rhythmic and timbral combinations around the number 21. Featuring a captivating score by Marco Antônio Guimarães, the choreography pulses with mathematical precision, progressing through a series of mesmerizing movements that blend the energy of Brazilian folk dances with the formality of classical ballet. The 40-minute piece, which amplifies the unique sounds emanating from Guimarães unusual instrumental creations, culminates in a dynamic and colorful finale, transporting audiences into a celebration of Brazilian cultural vibrancy.
In contrast, Pederneiras’ other creation Gira (2017) draws its inspiration from the Afro-Brazilian religious rituals of Umbanda, one of the most prevalent sects in Brazil. His choreography reconstructs the powerful gestures of Umbanda and Candomblé ceremonies, capturing the raw and dizzying energy of these sacred rites. Set to 11 musical themes created especially for the company by the Brazilian fusion group Metá Metá, the spectacular Gira offers a primal, ritualistic energy that pulses through this mesmerizing 40-minute piece.
“Grupo Corpo has the unparalleled ability to fuse cultural traditions with innovative dance techniques, making the company an extraordinary force in the dance world,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “A beautiful reflection of Brazil’s rich cultural heritage, Grupo Corpo’s performances will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression on Angelenos, who will be transported by the dancers into the heart of their vibrant, diverse country. We are thrilled to welcome Grupo Corpo back to L.A.’s performing arts center after 14 years. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a world-class company that melds exquisite movement and fantastic rhythms!”
Founded in 1975 by artistic director Paulo Pederneiras, who brought along his brothers and sisters, including choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras, Grupo Corpo has gained international acclaim for its distinctive style, seamlessly combining classical ballet with the rhythms and movements of Brazilian folk dance. Between the years 1996-1999, Grupo Corpo was the resident dance company of the Maison de la Danse in Lyon, France. Today, having created more than 40 works, the company, which has redefined the landscape of contemporary dance, performs in places as distinctive as Iceland and South Korea, the United States and Lebanon, Italy and Singapore, the Netherlands and Israel, France and Japan, Canada and Mexico. “Grupo Corpo is remarkable for the disciplined, uniform precision of its spectacular dancing,” gushes The New York Times, “performed by virtuoso dancers who seamlessly integrate disparate influences into their ever-malleable, apparently tireless bodies.”
“Returning to Los Angeles after so many years is truly special for us,” said Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras. “We’re excited to share our work with the city’s audience once again and hope they feel the energy and emotion of 21 and Gira, two pieces that embody the essence of Grupo Corpo.”
You don’t want to miss out on this incredible dance company and equally fantastic dance performances. Tickets to Grupo Corpo are available for purchase now by visiting https://www.musiccenter.org/grupocorpo or by calling (213) 972-0711.
Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, A TMC Arts program, is one of the leading presenters of dance on the West Coast. The celebrated series offers significant works by prestigious ballet and contemporary dance artists from around the world. Now in its 22nd year, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center is a powerful force, bringing works by today’s most influential companies and choreographers to audiences in Los Angeles. Performances are complemented by special experiences for both ticket buyers and the public with opportunities to learn more about the choreography and the themes explored, including panels, master classes, dance film festivals, interactive experiences, and more. The 22nd season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center is generously supported by the Glorya Kaufman Foundation, Center Dance Arts, Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund, and Elisabeth Katte Harris.
I didn’t forget about you and your willingness to enjoy and explore various styles of dance. Now more than ever is a good time to dust off your dancing shoes for the season of dance in Los Angeles. Center Dance Arts is a dynamic community of patrons with a passion for dance. Center Dance Arts members bring dance to life in Los Angeles by promoting The Music Center’s world-class dance performances, extensive educational outreach, and free and low-cost community experiences so all may experience the transformative power of dance. For more information, https://www.musiccenter.org/cda.
