Gloria Contreras

Acclaimed Mexican choreographer Gloria Contreras will present a lecture that will include live performances from 10 of her ballets Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Latin American Art Museum in Long Beach. The 90-minute lecture and performance, " . . . y el Cuerpo Fue La Voz del Alma," is part of the museum's current exhibition "Latin Tempos: Dancing the Marvelously Real," which spotlights the contemporary dance movement throughout Latin America. Tickets are $10. Information: (562) 437-1689.

For 33 years, choreographer Gloria Contreras has forged her own contemporary ballet tradition in Mexico City, sometimes tapping into the rhythms of Latin America, often visualizing the music of towering European and Euro-American composers. Over the weekend, she brought four members of her chamber-sized company, Taller Coreografico de la UNAM, to the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach for a sampler program that was greeted with bounding enthusiasm.

The show at Mexico's historic 2,000-seat Palacio de Bellas Artes was sold out. To accommodate 1,500 spectators--mainly students unable to purchase tickets--a giant screen was placed outside the palace. What was the draw? Not a rock concert or even a political rally--it was ballet. In her 29 years as founder and choreographer of the Taller Coreografico de la UNAM, Gloria Contreras has accomplished something nearly miraculous in the ballet world.

The ballets of Gloria Contreras form a kind of alternative universe in 20th century classicism. Complex in rhythm, rich in gestural imagery and powerful in group body sculpture, they can also seem curiously limited in their use of steps, compared to the work of contemporary Euro-American choreographers. And for all their focus on Balanchine-influenced music visualization, they're seldom completely abstract.

For 33 years, choreographer Gloria Contreras has forged her own contemporary ballet tradition in Mexico City, sometimes tapping into the rhythms of Latin America, often visualizing the music of towering European and Euro-American composers. Over the weekend, she brought four members of her chamber-sized company, Taller Coreografico de la UNAM, to the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach for a sampler program that was greeted with bounding enthusiasm.

The ballets of Gloria Contreras form a kind of alternative universe in 20th century classicism. Complex in rhythm, rich in gestural imagery and powerful in group body sculpture, they can also seem curiously limited in their use of steps, compared to the work of contemporary Euro-American choreographers. And for all their focus on Balanchine-influenced music visualization, they're seldom completely abstract.

* Dance. Mexico City's provocative contemporary chamber ballet ensemble Taller Coreografico de la UNAM dances two programs of short works by Gloria Contreras at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12 and 13 in the Luckman Theatre on the campus of Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive. $20 (students, seniors) to $40. (323) 343-6600. * Theater. International City Theatre's brand-new musical "Frankenstein," adapted by Carol Weiss, opens Feb. 12 at the Center Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Since it was created in 1966, the Art Academy of Mexico has been the most important association of artists in the country, honoring achievement and innovation in architecture, art history, graphics, music, painting and sculpture -- but never dance. On Sept. 25, though, ballet choreographer Gloria Contreras will be inducted into the academy, and she plans to accept with a speech describing her attempts to upgrade the image and practice of contemporary classical dance in her native land.

Teresa Monteon Orozco Archuleta of Ventura, an educator, Oxnard College administrator and longtime champion of women's and minorities causes, died Wednesday after a decade-long battle with breast cancer. She was 46. "It's a true loss to the community," said Oxnard Mayor Manny Lopez, who along with his wife, Irma, was friends with Archuleta for more than 20 years. "She was someone who should have had many, many more years to contribute to society."

Decisions, decisions. Consumed by either competitive zeal or perverse whimsy, many major local dance presenters are going head-to-head this busy season, forcing hard choices upon Southland audiences. On Oct.

The show at Mexico's historic 2,000-seat Palacio de Bellas Artes was sold out. To accommodate 1,500 spectators--mainly students unable to purchase tickets--a giant screen was placed outside the palace. What was the draw? Not a rock concert or even a political rally--it was ballet. In her 29 years as founder and choreographer of the Taller Coreografico de la UNAM, Gloria Contreras has accomplished something nearly miraculous in the ballet world.

Acclaimed Mexican choreographer Gloria Contreras will present a lecture that will include live performances from 10 of her ballets Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Latin American Art Museum in Long Beach. The 90-minute lecture and performance, " . . . y el Cuerpo Fue La Voz del Alma," is part of the museum's current exhibition "Latin Tempos: Dancing the Marvelously Real," which spotlights the contemporary dance movement throughout Latin America. Tickets are $10. Information: (562) 437-1689.

PJ Harvey comes to town just after winning the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, which honors the year's best British album, for her latest: "Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea." The singer precedes her sold-out Hollywood Palladium date with a hit-and-run club show. * PJ Harvey, with Moris Tepper, Knitting Factory Hollywood, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. Sold out. (323) 463-0204. Friday at the Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 6:30 p.m. Sold out. (323) 962-7600.