Fall typically signals a new beginning, but this year’s lineup in dance is unusually blessed with fresh faces, fresh ideas and offbeat offerings.
Ashley Wheater’s first full season as Joffrey Ballet artistic director, for instance, will bring works by newcomers (Edwaard Liang) and old-timers we’ve seen too rarely (Jerome Robbins). Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is trying out a new schedule, with four one-week engagements spread throughout the calendar.
There’s even a new, West African take on “Le Sacre du Printemps, ” light-years removed from the Nijinsky original, coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Meanwhile, for retrospective and perspective, various troupes will celebrate various anniversaries: the San Francisco Ballet (75th), Trisha Brown Dance Company (40th), Lar Lubovitch Dance Company (40th) and Luna Negra Dance Theater (10th).
Some anticipated highlights:
THE SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
The West Coast troupe returns after a 22-year absence with nine Chicago premieres and three programs. Works include Mark Morris’ “Joyride,” Christopher Wheeldon’s “Within the Golden Hour,” and artistic director Helgi Tomasson’s “The Fifth Season,” “On a Theme of Paganini” and “Concerto Grosso.” Sept. 16-21 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.; 312-334-7777.
LUNA NEGRA DANCE THEATER
The company turns 10 with a program titled “Ciclos,” or cycles, featuring works by Jose Limon, Deshar Alhat, artistic director Eduardo Vilaro and a collaboration by Mexico’s Francisco Avina and Chicago’s Stephanie Martinez. Sept. 26 and 27 at the Harris; 312-334-7777.
KIROV BALLET
Phenomenal Diana Vishneva is among the ballerinas portraying the title role in “Giselle,” backed by the troupe’s legendary corps de ballet. Oct. 2-5 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; 312-902-1500.
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO
The troupe alters its schedule and launches four one-week engagements with this program, including a new work by “Bardo” sensation Toru Shimazaki, Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Extremely Close” and Ohad Naharin’s beloved “Minus 16.” Oct. 9-12 at the Harris; 312-850-9744.
JOFFREY BALLET
In addition to Liang’s brand-new work, the fall engagement includes Robbins’ gloriously romantic “In the Night” and Robert Joffrey’s classic “Postcards.” Oct. 15-26 at the Auditorium; 312-902-1500.
CIE HEDDY MAALEM
French-Algerian choreographer Heddy Maalem offers an innovative take on Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre du Printemps,” inspired by the city of Lagos, Nigeria, and featuring 14 West African performers trained in both traditional and contemporary dance. Oct. 17-19; 312-397-4010.
TRISHA BROWN DANCE COMPANY
The venerable choreographer celebrates four decades with offerings spanning her career, including selections boasting design elements by Robert Rauschenberg and scores from John Cage, Laurie Anderson and the Grateful Dead. Oct. 23-25 at the Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-369-6600.
GIORDANO JAZZ DANCE CHICAGO
A tribute to late founder Gus Giordano, who died last March, including his “Wings,” and works by choreographers he mentored: Sherry Zunker, Jon Lehrer, Eddy Ocampo and Giordano’s daughter, Nan. Oct. 24 and 25 at the Harris; 312-334-7777.
DANCE AFRICA
The DuSable Museum of African American History revives this popular tradition after a three-year hiatus, bringing three troupes from the U.S. and abroad and focusing on West African culture. Oct. 31 at the Harris; 312-334-7777.
LAR LUBOVITCH DANCE COMPANY
Chicago native Lubovitch’s troupe, so bright and lively at the recent Chicago Dancing Festival, returns as part of its 40th anniversary tour, with works including “Men’s Stories” and “Little Rhapsodies.” Nov. 22 at the Harris; 312-334-7777.
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