Hang Out With L.A.'s Industry Insiders

November 10, 2012

L.A. is awesome.

Although the Dance Spirit offices are firmly rooted in midtown Manhattan, we’re lucky because we get to make a few trips out to the west coast each year—and my favorite place to go to spot rising dance stars is Hollywood.

It makes sense, of course: Dancers hoping to make it big in the commercial industry flock to L.A., where they can take classes at top studios like Millennium Dance Complex and EDGE Performing Arts Center, and they’re exactly where they need to be for major auditions (just a 2-mile, 3-hour trip on the 405—silly L.A. traffic).

Also located in L.A.: Many of the country’s top dance agencies. And those agencies are always looking to show off their dancers and choreographers.

Want to check ’em all out? Make your way to Boulevard3 this week!

McDonald/Selznick Associates, a renowned agency representing some of the dance industry’s leading hot shots, is holding a must-attend event on Wednesday, November 14. They’re calling it Freestylin’ and it’s being dubbed as the first-ever dance industry jam.

Want to go? Here’s what you need to know:

  • The event is open to the public, but you must be older than 21 to attend (sorry non-legals—the event is being held at a club).
  • The night will basically be a dance party. MSA is taking its street dancers and giving them a stage to perform on. In other words: A massive show-off-fest with rockin’ dancers doing all their best moves.
  • The people watching will be off the charts. Keep your eyes peeled for Simon Fuller (of XIX Entertainment), Carrie Ann Inaba (the “middle judge” on “Dancing with the Stars”), Duane Adler (writer of the Step Up series) and Dave Scott, who will be hosting the event.
  • Dress to impress. In addition to the dance world celebs, there will be plenty of VIPs strolling the red carpet. Think TV, film and commercial directors, casting directors, producers, music managers and tons of major working choreographers.

Have a blast!