TARZANA : Russian Dance Troupe Kicks Up Its Heels

When Lyudmila Lazebnik moved from the former Soviet Union to Los Angeles in 1990 she left behind a 25-year career as a dance instructor.

But Thursday, Lazebnik showed about 50 people packed into a reading room at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Tarzana-Encino branch that she’s making up for lost time.

Her Los Angeles-based troupe, The Little Stars, delivered an invigorating hourlong performance as part of the library’s celebration of cultural-awareness month. The month was marked at the Chatsworth branch by a presentation of “Tani,” which featured costumed dances of China, Japan, India and Indonesia.

The Little Stars, most of whom are Russian emigres, range in age from 2 to 15, and in experience from one month to two years. And above all, they love to dance.

“It gives you great exercise without having to go run up and down,” said Valerie Berkovich, a precocious 9-year-old, born in a small town near Moscow. “I just dance for the fun of it.”

At 13, Paul Tsarinsky is one of the elders in the troupe.

“People learn from me because I’ve been here from the beginning,” said Paul, who joined the group a few months after it was formed three years ago.

For him, the motivation is simple. “Going places, performing in front of people . . . it’s just great! It’s exciting!”

The troupe performed dances from the Charleston and the cha-cha to traditional dances from Russia, Bulgaria and Mexico.

There also was a storytelling session between performances and social hour afterward, featuring traditional Russian cuisine.

The critics in the audience gave the dancers rave reviews.

“I thought they were absolutely terrific,” said Tarzana resident Leah Graver. “I couldn’t believe they were just children.”

Karine Burkow of Encino concurred.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “I loved the dancing, the choreography and the culture.”

Library officials said they featured Russian culture because many Russians live in the community.

“We’ve been wanting to do something with the Russian community for over a year,” said branch librarian Janet Metzler. “They are really involved here at the library.”

Though Lazebnik said it was tough, she slowly built her troupe from one dancer to a dozen.

She had no choice but to start her teaching career in this country.

“It’s my life,” she said. “It’s my life.”