This year's Trolley Dances features five innovative choreographers from New York, Mexico City and San Diego, and together they take full advantage of urban architecture, sculptures, and fountains downtown. Waterfront views - the shimmering bay, ships, and passersby - are stellar.

In Taking the Plunge, dancers perform in

a wading pool. Ironically, the pool is off

limits to the public. Photo: Hugh Cox

Presented by Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater, the site-specific event has become a tradition for a broad audience. And it's common to hear viewers recounting previous trolley experiences, because there are always wildcard moments when the dances and unexpected events seem to align just for you.

Witty, and always affecting, Monica Bill Barnes makes another anticipated visit from New York, where the choreographer is justly popular and recently performed at the Joyce and the Dancenow Festival.

In Barnes' Love, Oh Love, dancers in white-framed sunglasses bounce with spastic joy to songs by Lionel Richie. Come on, remember "You are the sun, you are the rain…" No? It's such cheesy fun, and Barnes brings out the best from dancers (seven from San Diego Dance Theatre).

But if you go, dig deeper. Under the nutty charm and choppiness that echoes silent film, Barnes builds touching mini-narratives, such as two women (Pam Jong and Jessica Curiel) who seem to be driving an old Model A, bouncing down the road and growing old together. Trystan Loucado and Matt Carney also squeeze in subtle gestures that hint at personal relationships. The string of towering arches at the San Diego Convention Center frame the action.

As it has for the past 12 years, Trolley Dances takes viewers on an adventure, where the trolley is the lobby, and dances pop up in unexpected places, such as the Children's Park Pool. Bradley R. Lundberg 's Taking the Plunge is a beautiful series of duets for three couples. Dancers in knee-deep water rise and fall as flower-like spritzers send sparkles of water droplets over them. The serene lighting design is by nature. If you stand too close, you might get wet, and kids might think about getting soaked at SeaWorld. Loving couples might think about booking a room at the nearby Marriott. Lundberg and Jessica Reed-Cancel are seamless in lifts. Sensuous and filled with watery images, it's a glorious experience that should not be missed. Stand on one of the stone benches for the best view.

Still, there are no guarantees with Trolley Dances. With so many chance elements, no performance is the same, so you may choose to go multiple times. But just by being a site-seeing tourist, you'll never be bored. There's something for everyone. Jean Isaacs' installation, Windy City, at the New Children's Museum, inspired by primary colors, cranky schoolteachers, and flatulence sounds, aptly caters to a wiggly younger crowd. It's also a playful invitation to return to the museum at a later date. I'm still intrigued by the gigantic balloon sculpture in the lobby.

Pat Sandback's Say Cheese at the Sheryl and Harvey White Plaza captures a lonely feeling amidst a city landscape. Eerie and unexpected sounds make you look over your shoulder. Dancers in icy blue interpret odd rhythms just a few feet from the trolley tracks, and we struggle to understand what they are saying. Traffic, trolley clangs and horns, and a stiff breeze complement a curious looping score that tickles the ears and builds tension, created in real time by violinist Kristopher Apple. On my tour, patrons inside Grab & Go Subs peeked out windows. A passing taxi honked; the driver slowed down and waved to the dancers as they moved in tight unison, swinging their feet in folk-like grapevines.

Isabel Beteta, a dance artist from Mexico City, the second largest city in the world, capitalizes on the openness of the bay front in Conversations. Beteta has studied a wide variety of styles and was awarded the Premio Jose Limon award in 2008, the highest national prize for dance in Mexico. Set to music by Michael Galasso, Beteta's choreography exudes self-confidence and an almost Butoh focus. Dancers undulate with cool expressions and a strong presence that is mesmerizing.

During my preview tour Friday, the planets aligned to create an unexpected wow moment that made Conversations especially memorable. Just when the group of dancers pressed forward, grinding into their hips with steely eyes wide open, a helicopter zoomed overhead and navy ship #6 (the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard) cut through the water behind them. The culmination of powerful elements was staggering. Several students from Creative, Performing and Media Arts middle school were obviously impressed with the dramatic timing. They also recognized that it was a chance encounter that site-specific work can bring. It made them feel lucky, special.

As we rode together on the trolley, a couple of CPMA girls remarked that they'd never ridden on the trolley. They'd never noticed many of the sites along the tour before. And they talked about the opening dance, Isaacs' Guardians of Water outside the County Administration Building.

"The fountain had no water running in it because of the water shortage," a shy girl said. "And to get rid of the badness, the girls had to get married." She slurped her cup of Italian ice and continued, "But I really liked the colors, the coral and green, and how the women looked like the giant lady statue."

Simple comments like those help explain why Isaac's Trolley Dances continues to thrive. It takes professional dance out of the theater and takes you to places you've never seen. As one girl giggled, "I liked all of the dances, and I feel like I'm on vacation."

Trolley Dances runs Sept. 25th and 26th, and Oct. 2nd and 3rd. Six guided tours daily, 10 am - 3 pm. Tours begin on the hour at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Coast Hwy, and last about two hours. Admission includes a free all day trolley pass. Take the Blue Line to the Little Italy/County stop.

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Program - Sites 1-6

Biographies

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