Beginning in 1999 as a fundraiser for at-risk youth, Los Angeles Dance Invitational has been a platform for helping to promote creative growth of the dance community by giving LA dance lovers a chance to see a sampling of the best and brightest in a single evening. I caught up one of this year's featured artists: Adam Parson, founder of Commonality Dance Company and one of the participants at the very first LADI. A dancer, choreographer and teacher, Adam spoke to me from Amsterdam where he is currently giving master classes.

- Julia

How did your association with LADI begin?

Oh my gosh, I think in the late nineties!   I remember submitting a piece called "The Box"  and when I got the invitation, I was floored that I had been accepted! The whole experience was amazing: working with so many talented dancers and appreciating the wonderfully diverse work of other choreographers.

How has LADI evolved over the years from your perspective?

Wow. From my point of view, it has progressed from a notable show worth seeing, to a fully fledged event that everyone wants to be a part of and is a MUST SEE.  The standard of LADI pieces keeps getting stronger; you can't just throw something together and think you're going to get in. The work displayed has to have meaning, depth, character and a distinctive voice!

You have danced and choreographed all around the world. Would you consider LA a dance city? 

L.A. is a dance city, however, it is first geared to the entertainment industry.  There are strides being made, with events like LADI and others that are changing the thought process of what dance is here. We have a wealth of amazing choreographers and dancers in this city that have worked tirelessly on their craft to bring concert dance to the forefront of L.A. and the rest of the world.

Can you tell me a little about the piece "Fend" that you are presenting at this year's LADI?

Fend is about the selection process of a mate, human, animal and alien all combined, and the things you do to be selected. Commonality Dance Company was started back in 1998 with myself and my assistants Valerie Manchin and Alysia Kanemoto.  We are a multi everything company!  Country, color, race, size, you name it.  Our Commonality of our love of dance along with each person's unique gift created a magical bond.   We've toured to Korea, Germany, Switzerland and Mexico as well as doing shows here in Los Angeles.  Someone can always see themselves in our company and our vast and diverse works.