San Francisco is stuffed with innovative choreographers who need a place to show off their mad talent. Luckily, West Wave Dance Festival is fond of displaying mad talent, so offers local choreographers an opportunity to create work without the drain of paying for it. Celebrating their 20th anniversary with a silent auction and tons of wine, West Wave’s gala at Z Space features dance by choreographers like Amy Seiwert, Robert Moses, and Maurya Kerr. 

Amy Seiwert creates all those gorgeous ballets for Smuin and Robert Moses is a local institution. Maurya Kerr is a relative newcomer, having founded tinypistol last year after leaving Alonzo King’s Lines where she was a principal dancer for twelve years. Winner of the 2011 Hubbard Street National Choreographic Competition, we’ll be seeing a lot more of her. 

The festival continues through the summer with world premieres from Matthew Neenan of Pennsylvania Ballet, Graham Lustig of Oakland Ballet, Mary Carbonara, and Robert Dekkers of Post:Ballet. Some of the best local names in contemporary dance, all under one roof. How convenient. 

July 19. Z Space, 450 Florida Street. Tickets are $35 and up at westwavedancefestival.org.