I’m always sad to see summer go, but fall is around the corner and that means dance and so much more returns to the stages of Cincinnati.
Once again, Cincinnati Ballet kicks off the season with its ever-evolving New Works production (pictured) featuring, well, new works from local, national and international choreographers. The program consistently offers a fascinating look into more boundary-pushing contemporary material than is typically on offer during the rest of the season, and it’s also the lone opportunity to catch the dancers on their home turf. Runs Sept. 9-19 in the intimate space of the Mickey Jarson Kaplan Studio on Central Avenue.
This time, the Ballet brings back some of last year’s most enjoyable elements and participants. Returning choreographers include local talents Heather Britt, collaborating again with multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Peter Adams; and Exhale Dance Tribe’s dynamic duo, Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard, who once again work with music from the band Over the Rhine. California transplant Ka-Ron Lehman joins forces with CCM pianist/composer Michael Chertock to score her new work. And rounding out the roster are Bulgarian ballet star Sergey Sergiev and New York City-based Jessica Lang, who returns with a new ballet.
Thanks to the intimacy of the space, the chance to see the dancers perspiring and breathing as they perform and fine-tune their forms adds extra excitement. Yes, it sounds sexy — and it is. Be warned: Tickets go fast. Call 513-621-5282 or head to www.cballet.org.
On that note, if you haven’t heard of Cin City Burlesque, check ’em out. The troupe includes male and female performers who have professional dance training across diverse styles under their belts. According to its Web site, the shows range from “steamy and provocative to downright silly.” Catch Cin City Burlesque Sept. 11 and Nov. 20 at Hamburger Mary’s and at the “Baring It All for Breast Cancer” benefit/bra auction/workshop/show Oct. 15-16 at Leapin’ Lizard Gallery in Covington. Find more info at www.myspace.com/gingersnappsccb.
If you haven’t been to a Performance and Time Arts Series (PTA) show in a while — or especially if you never have — keep an eye out for details on the next shows at Contemporary Dance Theater's College Hill Town Hall Oct. 1-2 and Nov. 12-13. Cincinnati’s longest running performance art series consistently brings together the city’s most eclectic and edgy batch of performing arts: music, video, performance art, theatre, spoken word, poetry and more. It’s a good place to take in some modern dance, too, such as local ensemble MamLuft&Co. Dance, slated to appear in the November shows. Info: www.cdt-dance.org/pta.
MamLuft&Co. Dance will join Moving Collective for a second guest appearance with the Louisville-based ensemble in addition to a spring performance planned at the Aronoff’s Jarson Kaplan Theater. Info: www.mamluftcodance.com.
Contemporary Dance Theater has just announced the first installment of its 2010-11 Guest Artist Series: New York City-based Bill Young/Colleen Thomas & Dancers in the Aronoff’s Jarson Kaplan Theater Nov. 5-6. The company will present the captivating Rein, Bellow, where performers dangle from harnesses and manipulate one another on tables, as well as their new work, For Want (a circus), which explores a rich palette of characters, individuality and dancers bouncing off walls.
Jennifer Dunning of The New York Times has illuminated their “lush, high-energy movement … tinged with the warming colors of human relationships and emotions.” Tickets and info: 513-621-2787 or www.cdt-dance.org.