Allergies got me y’all :(  Can’t stop sniffling.

Reflecting: Power in Numbers

If you’ve logged onto social media in the past few days, you’ve probably seen one of two things: Bad Bunny’s Calvin Klein campaign and Pedro Pascal’s commercial film with Apple. Apologies in advance, I am not here to talk about Benito’s briefs.

“Someday” by Spike Jonze is a film promoting Apple's AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. The filmmaker does this promo with dance choreographed by Tanisha Scott and assistant choreographed by Simrin Player and DaeSun Cupid. Throughout the video, Pascal’s character will touch his AirPod and the environment will change. The choreography incorporates this promotional movement well, but it also highlights the impact of an ensemble as a storytelling tool. 

Dance is introduced slowly as Pascal walks through a wintery, somber version of an unnamed city after he breaks up with someone. After a stranger interrupts him to ask for directions, he starts to envision the brighter side of life. The environment alters into a kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow. In both instances, spurts of movement interrupt his stroll, whether it be a slow turn into the ground or a syncopated series of steps interrupting his natural gait. 

At my first watch, his execution lacked precision. You can see him thinking about the next move in his facial expressions. He’s nervous. He moves somewhat stiffly until he starts to roll his shoulders. It is clear this is his comfort move — one he may fall into on a night out. He moves through this comfortably and his confidence rises, perhaps because he isn’t thinking about the next step. Although still stiff (I say lovingly and without judgment), the intention behind the movement is stronger. 

In the street, he gains a large crew of backup dancers performing the same dance phrase. The steps still have the same pedestrian quality seen prior. However, when put in the context of a group number, the simplicity allows for the performance to feel powerful. Pascal becomes somewhat of a leading singer in this routine and the ensemble is there to back him up. While it is still visible that he does not come from a dance background, the quantity of movers makes it look like he is. It allows for his confidence to shine through even more. 

This phenomenon is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. In a recent interview I did with choreographer Sienna Lalau (story coming soon), she expressed how choreographing for K-pop artists is all about highlighting the power in numbers. The choreography is in complete unison and makes for a mesmerizing experience watching an ensemble do a single move. A great recent example is in Jennie’s “like JENNIE” music video. About two minutes into the video, the camera zooms out to show dozens of dancers performing the same choreography in unison, flinging their fists into the air or hip-thrusting from the ground. I realized some movements are incredibly simple and couldn’t have the same impact if done by one person. The same thing is happening in “Someday.” 

When Pascal joins the ensemble, his contribution to the whole allows his execution of the movement to feel powerful. Scott choreographed the film with this in mind. The film required Pascal’s soft yet clunky start to harness the weight of a breakup story. As he learns that there are brighter days on the other side, the positive emotions swell and expand from his own shoulder groove into an ensemble of dancers adopting his movement. It becomes clear that he is the leader as he pumps his arms up and down, walking to the right as a line of dancers follows his lead. 

“Someday” not only reveals the power in numbers but also the impact of being able to manipulate it to tell a story. Check it out for yourself and see how an ensemble can turn a silly move into a triumphant revival.

This Week’s Top Spots

‘Here There Are Blueberries’ @ The Wallis

In 2007, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist Rebecca Erbelding received a mysterious package on her desk. Upon opening, curators learned that it was an album of Nazi-era photographs capturing women on the frontlines of the Holocaust as switchboard, telegraph and radio operators. This theater piece by Tectonic Theater Project, written by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, follows Rebecca and her team of historians as they unpack the stories behind the photographs. 

LOCATION: 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
DATES: March 13 - 30
TIME: 7:30 pm Thurs. thru Sat., 2 pm Sat. & Sun. 
PRICE: $53.90 - $119.90
LINK: https://thewallis.org/show-details/here-there-are-blueberries 

Delirium Musicum @ LA Dance Project

Delirium Musicum heads to the LA Dance Project for a concert with music by historical composers like Ludwig Van Beethoven and contemporary stars like Philip Glass. Violin virtuoso Etienne Gara will lead the ensemble of 13 musicians for a day that highlights Delirium Musicum’s bold approach to classical music that redefines your concert experience. 

LOCATION: 2245 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021
DATE: March 23
TIME: 11 am
PRICE: $15 - $35
LINK: https://ladanceproject.org/events/ladp-presents-delirium-musicum/ 

‘Can I Be Frank?’ @ REDCAT

Frank Maya was one of the first out gay comedians on network television on the verge of mainstream popularity before he died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. In an effort to memorialize the often-forgotten entertainment figure (and attempt to prove they can think of others outside of themselves), comedian Morgan Bassichis will share a solo show titled, “Can I Be Frank?” dedicated to the life and legacy of Maya. 

LOCATION: 631 W 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
DATES: March 20 - 22
TIME: 8:30 pm 
PRICE: $27
LINK: https://www.redcat.org/events/2025/morgan-bassichis

‘To Los Angeles with Love’ @ 7811 Gallery

The late Dorothy Rice was a multimedia artist and fashion model known for her bold approach to depicting California from the 1970s to the 90s with oil paintings, silkscreens and watercolors. In 1947, she catapulted into fashion stardom as the face of Christian Dior’s “New Look” collection. The exhibition dedicated to her broad career is part of Melrose Fashion Week, which includes a ReDye to ReLove workshop, a sustainable fashion show and a mixer. 

LOCATION: 7811 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA  90046
DATES: March 6 - May 1 
TIME: On view 12 - 5 pm Tues. thru Sat.
PRICE: Free
LINK: https://www.7811gallery.com/dorothy-rice-exhibition & https://www.circularfashionla.com/post/redye-to-relove-workshop-at-melrose-trading-post-fashion-week-sunday-march-23-2025 

‘Rhinestone Cowboys’ @ Saban Theatre

Dust your cowboy hats and shine those studded cowboy boots, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will share a concert of country music at the Saban Theatre. The chorus’ 200 singers will perform your favorite tunes from icons like Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and Johnny Cash in addition to songs from today’s popular artists revolutionizing country, including Beyonce, Lil Nas X and Chappel Roan. As expected with any GMCLA performance, there will also be plenty of surprises on stage that’ll make you hoot and holler. 

LOCATION: 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
DATES: March 22 & 23
TIME: 8 pm Sat. & 3:30 pm Sun. 
PRICE: $45 - $125
LINK: https://www.gmcla.org/cowboys 

Things: Fandom

I’m seeing “Opus” today and the excitement has me thinking about fandoms and how they can lead to new works of art. Here are a few upcoming events where you can fangirl all night long. 

• ‘Toys as Art, Art Inspired by Toys’ @ Corey Helford Gallery: In honor of Mattel’s 80th anniversary, Corey Helford Gallery presents an art exhibition that explores how the renowned toy brand shapes childhood imagination. DATE: March 15 - April 19 / PRICE: Free / LINK: https://coreyhelfordgallery.com/shows/mattles-80th-anniversary-group/info-press/ 

• ‘Snow White’ Fan Event @ The El Capitan Theatre: The live-action of Disney’s “Snow White” led by Rachel Zegler is here. To celebrate the release, the El Capitan Theatre will have a Thursday Fan Event where your ticket to the movies gets you a collectible popcorn tin, Snow White Funko POP!, popcorn, fountain drink and event credentials. DATE: March 20 - April 20 / PRICE: $68 / LINK: https://elcapitantheatre.com/ 

• ‘According to Ray’ @ Mark Taper Forum: To celebrate Ray Charles’ expansive career, MUSE/IQUE’s upcoming concert documents his iconic music leading up to his landmark recording of “America the Beautiful.” DATE: March 21 - 23 / PRICE: $40.25 / LINK: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/shows-tickets/taper/2024-25/according-to-ray/ 

Meme of the Week

Me turning in my final freelance piece from the February rush