A Dancer's Guide to LA

 

THE VALLEY

Though the San Fernando Valley is part of L.A., it has a separate reputation for its “suburbia in the city” sprawl. Some people say they would never live in the “818,” while others swear by its family- and wallet-friendly appeal. In the summer, the heat is on as the heat gets trapped in the Valley, making it much hotter than neighboring areas. Many dancers choose to live in Studio City, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Burbank for their affordability and proximity to “the industry.”

 

Neighborhood Pick: NoHo Arts District Besides being a stone’s throw from several major dance studios, North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District is one of the cultural epicenters of L.A. Art galleries, theaters and shops are bookended by affordable housing. The Metro Red Line stops here, making it ideal for those who dare take public transportation.

 

Studios and Schools

Agoura Hills Dance
agouradance.com 818-991-8883 Location: Agoura Hills

Anisa’s School of Dance
anisadance.com 818-752-9829 Location: Sherman Oaks

Arias Dance Academy
dancedancedance.com 805-494-6418 Location: Thousand Oaks

California Institute of the Arts calarts.edu/schools/dance 661-255-1050 Location: Valencia

Center Stage Dance L.A.
centerstagedancela.com 818-763-5125 Location: Studio City

Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center gettherhythm.com 818-999-5296 Location: Woodland Hills

Debbie Reynolds Studio
drdancestudio.com 818-985-3193 Location: North Hollywood

Dance in Motion
danceinmotion.net 818-222-2085 Location: Woodland Hills

Garri Dance Studio garridance.com 818-846-4390 Location: Burbank Hama’s Dance Center 818-985-8701 Location: Studio City

Los Angeles Ballet Academy
labalet.com 818-780-6126 Location: Reseda

Millennium Dance Complex
morolandis.com 818-753-5081 Location: North Hollywood

MKM Cultural Arts Center
818-752-2616 Location: North Hollywood

Retter’s Academy Of Dance retterworld.com 818-889-5774 Location: Agoura Hills

Synthesis Performing Arts
synthesisarts.com 818-754-1760 Location: Universal City

Van Nuys High School Performing Arts Magnet
vannuyshs.org 818-781-2371 Location: Van Nuys

Dance Stores

Apparel Warehouse
818-344-3224 Location: Tarzana

Champion Dance Shoes
championdanceshoes.com 323-874-8704 Location: L.A.

Karabel Dancewear
818-955-8480 Location: Burbank

Turquoise International
turquoiseintl.com 818-999-5542 Location: Woodland Hills

 

PASADENA AREA

Located in the northeast area of L.A., Pasadena is filled with lush gardens, beautiful homes and old-town charm. Home to the famous Rose Bowl festivities, Pasadena is also the site of the locally popular Rose Bowl Flea Market every second Sunday of the month. Ballroom dance is big in this area, with the weekly “Lindy Groove” event and the very active Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association.

 

Neighborhood Pick: Old Town Pasadena Everything’s coming up roses in this historically beautiful area of town, where the Rose Parade is held annually. The heart of it all is Colorado Blvd, the “main drag” that includes more than 50 restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

 

Studios and Schools

The Athletic Garage
athletic-garage.com 626-229-9769 Location: Pasadena

Ballet Petit Performing Arts Center
balletpetit.net 818-790-5775 Location: La Canada Flintridge

Glendale Community College
glendale.cc.ca.us/dance 818-240-1000 Location: Glendale

Le Studio
lestudiodance.com 626-792-4616 Location: Pasadena

Pasadena Dance Theatre Conservatory of Performing Arts
pasadenadance.org 626-683-3459 Location: Pasadena

The Vibe
Catchthevibestudio.com 818-248-8838 Location: Montrose

The Red Shoes theredshoes.com 626-799-8615 Location: South Pasadena

 

WESTSIDE

Filled with fashionable zip codes, the Westside encompasses everything from quaint Pacific Palisades to tourist haven Santa Monica. Easy access to the beaches and freeways make this area of L.A. a popular place to call home. Though rents can seem out of reach in many areas, some dancers sniff out affordable places in Mar Vista, Culver City and the Westchester area.

 

Neighborhood Pick: Abbot Kinney Sandwiched between Main Street and Venice Blvd, Abbot Kinney is a one-mile stretch with a distinct personality. Funky architecture and eclectic people populate the neighborhood, which is full of artsy boutiques, galleries and eateries. Within walking distance of the beach, Abbot Kinney is an ideal place for young people to experience beach living with an urban feel.

 

Studios and Schools

Center for Movement Education and Research
movement-education.org 310-477-9535 Location: Century City

Continuum
continuummovement.com 310-453-4402 Location: Santa Monica

Dance Alive
dancealive.com 310-454-5335 Location: Pacific Palisades

Dance Doctor Studio
dancedoctor.com 310-459-2264 Location: Santa Monica

Debbie Allen Dance Academy
debbieallendanceacademy.com 310-280-9145 Location: Culver City

Dance For Kids/Brentwood Academy of Dance
danceforkids.la 310-820-5437 Locations: Brentwood and Malibu

Katnap Dance Center
katnapdance.net 310-306-7069 Location: West Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University
lmu.edu/PageFactory.aspx?PageID=1010 310-338-5233 Location: Playa Del Rey

MNR Dance Factory
mnrdancefactory.com 310-826-4554 Location: Brentwood

Santa Monica College
smc.edu/smc/departments/dance/dance.htm 310-434-4590 Location: Santa Monica

Santa Monica Dance Studio
santamonicadancestudio.com 310-319-5339 Location: Santa Monica

Studio No. 1
danceno1.com 310-446-4443 Location: West L.A.

TurnOut Performing Arts Center
turnoutpac.com 310-207-8200 Location: West L.A.

University of California–Los Angeles
wac.ucla.edu 310-825-3951 Location: L.A.

Westside School of Ballet
westsideballet.com 310-828-2018 Location: Santa Monica

Westchester Dance Center
wdacademy.com 310-348-9667 Location: L.A.

Dance Stores

The Dance Store thedancestore.com 310-271-3664 and 310-399-8977 Locations: L.A. and Venice

Danny’s Warehouse
dannyswarehouse.com 800-552-5385 Location: West L.A.

Shelly’s Dancewear & Costume
shellysonline.com 310-475-1400 Location: West L.A.

 

EASTSIDE

The E is for “eclectic,” as the Eastside encompasses everything from the rapidly gentrifying downtown area to the hip confines of Los Feliz to the diverse Echo Park area. Though pockets of this area are still unsafe, many choose to live on the Eastside for its unpretentious attitude and rich cultural offerings. This area is also less expensive to live in: rents are on par with The Valley.

 

Neighborhood Pick: Silver Lake A haven for L.A. hipsters, Silver Lake walks the line between completely gentrified and an undiscovered gem. Many artists call this area home. Still somewhat affordable, many residents live up in the hills in duplexes or in houses with roommates. Check out the Sunset Junction Street Fair, a popular musical event held every August.

 

Studios and Schools

California State University–Los Angeles calstatela.edu/dept/theatre_dance 323-343-4001 Location: East L.A.

Colburn Dance Institute
colburnschool.edu 213-621-2200 x202 Location: Downtown L.A.

Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy
koreandanceacademy.com 213-487-2957 Location: Koreatown

Los Angeles City College
lacitycollege.edu 323-669-1031 Location: L.A.

Los Angeles County High School for the Arts
lachsa.org 323-343-2565 Location: East L.A.

Melba Morris Ballet Studio
e-comp.com/mmballet 213-484-1116 Location: Echo Park

Studio A Dance
studioadance.com 323-661-8311 Location: Silver Lake

Vivace Conservatory for the Performing Arts
vivaceperformingarts.com 213-403-1600 Location: Chinatown

 

SOUTH BAY

The South Bay is the area along Santa Monica Bay, part of the Southwest peninsula of Los Angeles County, made up of beach cities including Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Inglewood and Palos Verdes. Though it’s somewhat out of the way from the heart of the industry, most South Bay types love its beachy breezes and laid-back atmosphere. Being active is the name of the game—there are lots of recreational opportunities nearby.

 

Neighborhood Pick: Manhattan Beach For those who want the perks of a beach lifestyle with proximity to more urban life, Manhattan Beach is the way to go. “Work hard, play hard” seems to be the motto of locals, who toil by day and play beach volleyball or rollerblade during their time off.

 

Studios and Schools

California State University–Long Beach
csulb.edu/~dance 562-985-4747 Location: Long Beach

Long Beach City College
tdf.lbcc.cc.ca.us 562-938-4383 Location: Long Beach

Peninsula School of Performing Arts
pspadance.com 310-375-1398 Location: Palos Verdes

Professional School for the Arts
psarts.com 310-328-7664 Location: Torrance

Swing Shift On Tap
swingshiftontap.com 310-606-5606 Location: El Segundo

Swingtime Dance Studio
swingtimedancestudio.com 562-972-4863 Locations: Rotating, in South Bay and Orange County

Shape Dancewear shapedancewear.com 562-425-4555 Location: Long Beach

 

Life Is a Highway

Though dancing shoes will take you far, a reliable set of wheels is needed to get anywhere in L.A.! (Just ask your agent.) Though public transportation is available, the spread-out nature of the city almost demands the use of a car. Below, you’ll find a few tips and tricks to help you navigate the crowded streets of L.A.:

• Invest in a Thomas Guide (thomas.com) for $19.95. These handy street guides are a must for any trunk or glove compartment. Use the easy-to-read maps when you get lost in the Valley on the way to an audition or when wandering the Venice Canals trying to find the beach.

• Familiarize yourself with the “surface streets.” Some Angelenos pride themselves on being able to get just about anywhere without using the highways. Some streets known for being great shortcuts are Fountain Ave (just south of Sunset Blvd), Palms Ave (just north of Venice Blvd), and Laurel Canyon Blvd to get “over the hill” to The Valley.

• Meet your new BFF: sigalert.com. Freeway traffic in L.A. often moves at the pace of a snail, and when running late, you’ll need to put on your strategy hat. Sigalert provides real-time updates on highway accidents, speeds and slowdowns. Use it to plan an alternate route in a pinch!

• Though not all areas are accessible by public transport, the subways and buses can be an economically and environmentally friendly way to move when possible. Visit the Metropolitan Transit Authority at mta.net to see what routes are convenient to your abode.

 

Home Sweet Home:
where to find the best deals and digs:

• 
  Westside Rentals
  (westsiderentals.com) is a reputable resource for finding a decent place. Though membership costs $60 for 60 days, many L.A. veterans consider Westside Rentals the best source of listings. Those who want to cut down on costs can take advantage of the dual membership rate, which costs $70 for two people. Check out the Rental Connection Parties, held every Sunday from noon to 1 pm, where you can meet potential roommates and schmooze with those in the real estate know. 310-395-RENT

 

Grub on the Go

When pressed for time, finding a healthy treat to tide you over can be crucial. Check out these local favorites:

• Casting Café
  castingcafe.us Want a side of fame with your order? Check out this sleek West Hollywood café, situated within a full-service casting agency. It also has free wi-fi!

• Famima famima-usa.com Healthy, upscale treats beckon at this unique Japanese-inspired grocery store and takeout restaurant. No matter which side of town you’re on, its six locations make it easy to satisfy your sushi fix or pin down a tasty panini. 310-214-1001 (Locations: Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, West Hollywood, Westwood)

• Mani’s Bakery
  manisbakery.com Satisfy your sweet tooth with the sugarless and organic offerings at Mani’s on Fairfax. Bakery goodies await, as well as diet-friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

• Simply Wholesome
  simplywholesome.com A half-restaurant, half-market located in the Ladera Heights/Windsor Hill area, this health-conscious venue provides an inexpensive outlet for quick cravings. Located near the Lula Washington Dance Theatere, whose multicultural company fuses street styles, jazz, ballet and modern. 323-294-2144

 

Dance, Dance, Dance

Where to dance the night away, from bloc agency dancer Kerry Wee, who has shared the stage with stars like Beyoncé and Ashanti:

• Every Monday night, Wee can be found at the free tap jam at
  Debbie Allen Dance Academy. “It’s a great way to practice freestyle tap in a welcoming environment,” she says. Tap Jam, Mondays at 8 pm, Debbie Allen Dance Academy debbieallendanceacademy.com

• Though salsa nights abound around town, Wee swears by
  “Descarga Con Timba” at Hollywood’s King King nightclub. Voted Best Tuesday Night Dance Club by Los Angeles magazine, DCT gathers professional and amateur salsa lovers to the tunes of a live Afro-Cuban salsa band. Descarga Con Timba, lessons 9-10 pm with dancing afterward, every Tuesday, King King Hollywood. kingkinghollywood.com/descarga

• Authentic live big band music at
  The Derby on Los Feliz provides ample fodder for Lindy and jitterbug aficionados, and, every Sunday night, beginner and intermediate swing dance classes hook novices. clubderby.com

• L.A.’s historic
  Mayan Theatre leads a double life as a lavish nightclub and concert hall. On Fridays, the club hosts “Mixxx,” a hip-hop/house music night. clubmayan.com