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Ballet Gran Folklorico De Mexico traditional dance thtr reflects the history of Mexico from ancient rituals to modern dances. Oct 18, Uptown Thtr and Ctr for the Arts at St. Scholastica Academy, 7416 N Ridge Blvd ( 773 ) 561-5700

Ballet Nacional De Cuba mixed repertory program. Oct 31 thru Nov 2 Auditorium Thtr ( 312 ) 922-2110

Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co 20th anniversary, Program A: Mercy 10X8 on a Circle and three restaged Jones/Zane classics, Oct 23 and 25; Program B: Mercy 10X8 on a Circle and There Were..., along with the early Jones/Zane duet Blauvelt Mountain ( A Fiction ) , Oct 24. Jones will speak Oct 24. Dance Ctr of Columbia College 1306 S Michigan ( 312 ) 344-8300 www.ticketweb.com

Chicago Moving Company The Other Dance Festival including in Week One, The Dance COLEective, Lucky Plush Productions, Mad Shak Dance Co, The Seldoms, Shu Shubat, of Jellyeye; Week Two Breakbone Dance Co., Hedwig Dance, Hi! Performance, Mordine & Co Dance Thtr and Same Planet different World Dance Thtr. Hamlin Park Studio Th, 3035 N Hoyne Oct 2-10 ( 773 ) 880-5402

DanceAfricaChicago Freedom Poet Stacyann Chin is a featured artist at this year's event and preview events leading up to the mainstage performance. Oct 17 thru 19 Chicago Thtr 174 N State St. www.danceafricachicago.com ( 312 ) 902-1500

The Dance Ctr of Columbia College Chicago Merce Cunningham Dance Company Two performances by this icon of modern dance continues his company's 50th anniversary tour with two programs featuring signature works and new pieces that continue to define the art form Nov 14: Program A, Interscape ( 2001 ) and Fluid Canvas ( 2002 ) . Nov 15: Program B, Pond Way ( 1988 ) , Native Green ( 1985 ) and How to Kick, Pass, Fall and Run ( 1965 ) . Both pr grams also include a 50th anniversary film collage by Merce Cunningham and Charles Atlas. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696.

Ensemble Español - Spanish Dance Thtr Oct. 25. Internationally acclaimed full company of 40 dancers, singers and musicians with guest artists from Spain and the United States. Auditorium Thtr 50 E Congress Parkway Tktmstr ( 312 ) 902-1500

ETA Dance/Music Showcase will include Muntu Dance and Ernest Dawkins, composer and jazz musician. Oct 15, eta Creative Arts Foundation 7558 S South Chicago Ave ( 773 ) 752-3955

Flamenco Passion multi-media dance drama El Amor Brujo, Ravel's Bolero, and the sensual Ritmos Del Flamenco with full company of 40 dancers, singers, musicians and guest artists from Spain and the Americas. Two performances Oct 25. Auditorium Thtr, 50 E Congress Parkway ( 312 ) 902-1500

Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Fall concerts featuring the world premiere of Don DeJesus's Prey and Naja, a mystical Indian themed work. Oct 24 thru 26. Athenaeum Thtr 2936 N Southport ( 312 ) 902-1500 Also Spring Concerts, the culmination of the company's 41st season, will feature the premiere of a new work among others. Gus Giordano has brought American Jazz to audiences across the country and around the world with a repertoire including the works of Ron DeJesus, Randy Duncan, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano, Jon Lehrer, Mia Michaels, David Robertson and Margo Sappington. Apr 10 and 11, Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696 or at www.musicanddancetheaterchicago.com .

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago High-energy, athletic and artistically bold, one of the most innovative forces in contemporary dance. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, HSDC is recognized worldwide for its exuberant and eclectic repertory, which incorporates diverse influences from ballet to American musical theatre to cutting-edge choreography. Four premieres Mar 9, 2004 thru Mar 28. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph ( 312 ) 629-8696.

Joel Hall Dancers benefit Raising the Barre Oct 4 Black Orchid Supper Club, Piper's Alley ( 773 ) 293-0900 www.joelhall.org

Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Romeo & Juliet based on Shakespeare's famous and tragic tale of two young lovers in Renaissance Italy who find themselves caught between their feuding families, captures every vivid detail of the play from the masked ball to the clang of mortal swordplay. Live accompaniment by Chicago Sinfonietta Oct 8 thru 19 Auditorium Thtr, 50 E. Congress. ( 312 ) 739-0120

Links Hall Sling Dance Co Picture This Oct 3 and 4. Contour: Performance works by Joseph Ravens and Nicole Legette Oct 10 thru 12. Poonie's Cabaret Monthly improvisation and works in progress in memory of Poonie Dodson and Duncan Erley, Chicago dancer/artists who succumbed to AIDS in the late 20th century. 4th Annual women's Performance Art Festival This is Stockyards Thtr Project's Women's Performance Art Festival, with women-centered improv, stand-up comedy, dance, performance art. Oct 24 thru 26. 3435 N Sheffield ( 773 ) 281-0824 www.linkshall.org

Mad Shak Dance Co premiere of Poems of Replaceable Kings, preview of Eye Cycle Oct 16-25 Ruth Page Ctr for the Arts, 1016 N Dearborn ( 773 ) 743-8014

Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles The nation's first all-female mariachi group. Nov 10 Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696.

Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago For its inaugural performance at The Joan W and Irving B. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, will feature the world premiere of a major new work. In the Bantu language, muntu means the essence of humanity. It's what the company seeks to express in their work and to touch in their audiences. Apr 2 thru 4. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696.

Museum of Contemporary Art presents European Dance Series in October. Meg Stuart/Damaged Goods ( Brussels ) perform ALIBI Oct 9 thru Sat Oct 11; Compagnie Felix Ruckert ( Berlin ) perform the American premieres of Mushroom and Consulio Oct 16 thru Oct 18; and Akram Khan Co ( London ) performs Chicago debut of Kaash Oct 24 thru Oct 26. 220 E Chicago Ave ( 312 ) 397-4010

Music and Dance Thtr Chicago, Inc. celebrates its 2003-2004 inaugural season with a showcase of Chicago performing arts companies including the theater's founding companies: Ballet Chicago, Chicago Opera Thtr, Chicago Sinfonietta, The Dance Ctr of Columbia College Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Lyric Opera Ctr for American Artists, Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Music of the Baroque, Old Town School of Folk Music and Performing Arts Chicago. Thru May 30, 2004, Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696 or at www.musicanddancetheaterchicago.com .

Northwestern University Flatt Out commemorates stage, screen and tv choreography of Ernie Flatt, performed by Northwestern Music Thtr and Dance students with special guests Carl Jablonski and Bobbi Bates of the Ernie Flatt Dancers from The Carol Burnett Show. Oct 4, Josephine Louis Thtr, 20 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston ( 847 ) 491-7282

Performing Arts Chicago La La La Human Steps Performing Arts Chicago presents Montreal's acclaimed La La La Human Steps, a vital and highly sought-after modern dance company. The group will perform their latest masterpiece, Amelia. Nov 21 & Nov 22, Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696.

River North Chicago Dance Company, downtown Chicago debut at the new Joan W and Irving B. Harris Thtr for Music and Dance. Apr 16 thru 18, Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. ( 312 ) 629-8696.

Same Planet Different World three world premiere dances, including Gloria, and Veiled, and including styles from Steve Reich to Elvis Presley. Oct 3 & 4. Oct 4 is a benefit. Ruth Page Ctr for the Arts, 1016 N Dearborn St. ( 773 ) 506-8730

Tango Passion Exhilarating Argentinian dance, born in Buenos Aires: the dance of love and seduction. Paramount Arts Ctr 23 E Galena Blvd Aurora ( 630 ) 896-666 www.theparamounttheatre.com

Zephyr Dance, Chicago's only all female modern dance company will have its annual fundraising gala at the chic and happening photography gallery: Food, wine, dance music. Oct 18 Flatfile Galleries, 118 N. Peoria. Also, the Zephyr Dance and guest company Aerial Dance Company from Holland, as part of the tenth annual Dancing Across State Lines concert series, will perform Nov 13, 14 and 15 Duncan YMCA, 1001 Roosevelt ( 773 ) 489-5069

Art/Photo

Aldo Castillo Gallery Art of Uribe, by renowned Colombian artist, Luis Fernando Uribe Thru Oct 11. 233 W Huron St. ( 312 ) 337-2536 www.artaldo.com/

City of Chicago 8th celebration of Chicago's visual artists, printmakers, painters, sculptors, photographers, new media artists, and more! more than 120 exhibitions, open studio tours, demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions and other events are taking place at galleries, museums, parks,cultural centers and artists' studios throughout Chicago.Visit galleries throughout the city, many located in neighborhood clusters. Also visit one of districts like River North, Michigan Avenue and the Loop, West Side Gallery District, North Side Old Town and the Clybourn Corridor, East Pilsen and tour a number of galleries within walking distance. ( 312 ) 744-6630 www.chicagogallerynews.com .

Chicago Art Open presented by Chicago Artists' Coalition features over 300 Chicago artists, including 50 student artists from Chicago's universities. Free for the public Oct 11-19, 11 E. Hubbard ( 312 ) 670-2060

Chicago Botanic Garden and Garfield Park Conservatory Chapungu: Custom & Legend, A Culture in Stone highly expressive contemporary stone art of African artists from Zimbabwe, many fro m the Shona Tribe, who sculpt monumental creations from rock. thru Oct 31. 1000 Lake Cook Rd in Glencoe and Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Ave. ( 847 ) 835-8208

Chicago Cultural Ctr Riva Lehrer: Circle Stories two exhibits, galleries to be announced Apr 3 thru May 30, 2004 ( 312 ) 744-6630 Chicago Cultural Ctr, 78 E. Washington St

DuSable Museum: Photos from 500 year-old West African Palace thru Oct 31. Permanent exhibits DuSable Treasures: Selections from the Permanent Collection of Art, Harold Washington in Office , Fight To Fly: Blacks in Aviation, Africa Speaks African art often proves to be functional in intent and/or use, like stools, chairs, combs, staffs and vessels, carved to articulate particular events or occasions and comprise much of the art of Africa. Ritual masks used in unions with spirit forces or mythical characters, carved figures ( many of which function as surrogate spirit-ancestors ) and the deity figures. 740 E 56th Place. ( 773 ) 947-0600 x272

Gerber/ Hart Library, Chicago's LGBT lit and culture historians, present "Picture This..." with art, food, and C.C. Carter with award winning back up group, Lakeside Pride Clarinet Choir, silent auction and community support. Oct 4, High Risk Gallery 1113 W. Belmont, ( 773 ) 381-8030 www.gerberhart.org

Las Manos Gallery Selected Works from Katachi paintings by Jordan Scott thru Oct 12, 5220 N Clark St ( in Andersonville ) ( 773 ) 728-8910 Fri thru Mon, 12 - 5pm www.spaces.org/archive/manos.htm

Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum 17th Dia de Muertos Exhibition Reflections of the Soul, the nation's largest Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibition commemorates the tradition, celebrated throughout Mexico on Nov 1 and 2 with paintings, mixed media, sculpture, photos and folk art thru Dec 14 Also El Ojo Fina ( The Exquisite eye ) features the works of nine prominent women photographers of Mexico. 1852 W 19th St. ( 312 ) 738-1503.

Museum of Contemporary Art One True Thing, Meditations on Black Aesthetics Oct 25 thru Jan 18, 220 E Chicago Ave ( 312 ) 280-2660 mcachicago.org

Museum of Science & Industry AIDS: The War Within ( 773 ) 684-1414, www.msichicago.org