Dancing to a Multiethnic Tune

Gagik Manucharian, a choreographer trained at the Institute of the Arts at Moscow University, came to America in 1992 to work in Las Vegas and Hollywood, eventually setting up a dance studio in Universal City.

Eighty of his students from Synthesis Performing Arts will perform this weekend during the Festival of International Dances at the El Portal Center for the Arts in North Hollywood.

During a recent rehearsal, students as young as 5 performed tap dance routines so polished that a casual observer could not help but think of a Busby Berkeley spectacle--complete with Ruby Keeler.

Children’s multiethnic dance performances will be presented tonight and Saturday, and professional dance teams from Latin America, the Middle East, Spain, Russia, Armenia and the U.S. will appear Sunday. Manucharian organized the festival for the second year, drawing on prize-winning performing teams that have toured professionally.

Tango dancers Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi recently appeared in the PBS special “Tango Magic.” Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers, a Middle Eastern ensemble, have been featured at the Palladium and Universal Amphitheatre. Curtis Collins and Natalie Mavor are the undefeated U.S. champions of the U.S. Salsa Competition.

Swing dance-acrobat Rita Mae Bland will perform with her partner Andreas Neidermeier. Ebony Joiner, a 16-year-old singer from Watts with a dynamic singing range, will wrap up the first half of the program Sunday.

BE THERE

Festival of International Dances, students’ performances today and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; professional dancers Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; El Portal Center for the Arts, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. $15-$25. Call (818) 508-4200.