DANCE : Lo-Tec Brings High Hopes at Grass-Roots Level

SAN DIEGO — Most dance companies stick to the business of making dances. Not so with San Diego-based Three’s Company.

From the time the threesome set up shop in the ‘70s, Three’s Company has taken its role as dispensers of modern dance a step further. Spurred on by co-artistic director Jean Isaacs, the troupe has made its studio setting a second home to visiting artists from all over the country--and for local independents as well.

“We’ve always presented dancers that do not have a strong enough visibility to attract sponsorship in California,” said Isaacs. “We feel this part of the country needs to see dance, and there was no one else to do it. The major presenters are only interested in the top companies. These artists are even too experimental for Sushi.”

Intent on seeing “the art in its incipient form,” Isaacs made it her personal mission to produce dance on the grass-roots level, in the no-frills environment of the troupe’s studio. Those original catch-as-catch-can concerts grew into the Lo-Tec Dance Series, a season of weekend performances that now spans the three months of summer.

“Modern dance is blooming all over the country, in pockets like Chicago, Denver and Seattle,” said Isaacs. “But these dancers can’t get bookings out here, even though they’ve gotten great reviews at home. This is not the kind of thing other presenters will do because it doesn’t make money.”

Recognizing that Lo-Tec brings high hopes to emerging dancers, and unusual opportunities for local aficionados to sample distant wares, Three’s Company provides performing space and a base of support in San Diego.

This year’s Lo-Tec potpourri runs from June 18, when Bay Area-based Gary Palmer and his “faintly new wave” dance group starts the series, to Sept. 11, when Three’s Company and Dancers wrap things up with a concert of repertory favorites.

All in all, expect to see 11 modern dance programs this summer. As usual, the performances will be held at the troupe’s Hillcrest studio, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m.

“The first two are totally unknown here,” said Isaacs. “Gary Palmer is an ex-Margaret Jenkins dancer who started his own company, and, on June 25-26, we have Jan Justis, a former Alwin Nikolais dancer. Jan will perform with Ann Bunker.”

Carol Soleau of Oregon will share the spotlight with Rose Polsky of Los Angeles on July 2-3. Three’s Company fans should remember Soleau’s “Helen of Troy,” the hit of the company’s 1987 season.

Another Los Angeles ensemble, Katje Biesanz Dance Theater, follows July 9-10, and a group of North County choreographers will steal the limelight July 16-17.

The July 23-24 concert features Off the Wall Dance Project in an evening of solos and duets. The Chicago-based troupe will include a group work for local dancers.

“We discovered this company when we had one of its dancers in class, and we all said, ‘Where did you come from? This girl can really dance,’ ” said Isaacs. “She gave us a tape of the company’s work and it was fabulous. This is the most exciting company we’ve ever featured on a Lo-Tec.”

The final weekend of July will highlight Lar Lubovitch dancer Rick Michalek and three local choreographers for a mixed bag of classical and modern dance.

Helen Dannenberg, who debuted with Three’s Company during its spring concert, will return Aug. 6-7 for half an evening of original works. Deborah Slater, best known for her “Titanic,” give the other half of the program.

The San Diego Dance Exchange has been a popular feature of the Lo-Tec series for four years. On Aug. 13-14, 10 California choreographers will put their new works on display--open to critical commentary by several San Diego dance critics.

Soloist Haywood “Woodie” McGiff is on his own Aug. 20-21 after many years with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and Nina Weiner. Three’s Company’s 14th annual summer workshop performance ends the August roster, and Three’s Company’s repertory favorites puts the lid on the series Sept. 10-11.