Banafsheh Sayyad of NAMAH with ZARBANG. Photo by Andre Elbing
In looking over this fall's dance harvest, a trend of globalism emerges. ( Granted, there's little these days that doesn't underline how it's more the rule than the exception. ) Dance forms from Southeast Asia, Japan, France, Africa, Iran, Mexico and India are all on the calendar this month. Seeing an indigenous dance style for the first time is to relearn everything about the body and how it relates to music—the way the knowledge of generations coalesces in simple moments of logic and beauty can take your breath away. This experience is possible in the most casual of introductions to world dance, but becomes even more powerful when the practitioner brings talent and experience of the highest order. NAMAH, led by Iranian-American Banafsheh Sayyad, is one such expert, as are Priya Govind of India—presented here by local Indian dance company Natya—and Evidence, an American African dance company. As ambassadors from time-honored techniques, you couldn't do better than these ensembles, as well as many others appearing around town in the coming weeks. Read on for details on these and other performances.
—In the proto-feminist Victorian short story The Yellow Wallpaper, a physician's wife is sequestered after childbirth, her mental state devolving as she stares, hallucinating, at the wall. Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble adapts the story for the stage, and each night welcomes a guest performer for a second act aimed at expanding the conversation. Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee, Oct. 3-12 at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; $15.
—Blushing Poppy Productions is the butoh brainchild of Nicole LeGette. Her latest work, Landscapes of Uncertainty, enlists the help of guests Carol McCurdy and David Danyluk in investigating experiences of the visually impaired. Rooms Gallery, 645 W. 18th, Oct. 8-11 at 8 p.m.; $15 cash.
—Bellyqueen is to belly dancing what Burn the Floor was to ballroom, and stops here for one night only at St. Patrick's Performing Arts Centre, 5900 W. Belmont, Oct. 8, 8:30 p.m.; $25 presale, $30 door.
—For this month's About Dance, critic Lucia Mauro hosts Same Planet Different World for a preview and discussion about works on their November program. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.; free.
—Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is going quarterly—their first of four series this season includes Alejandro Cerrudo's Extremely Close and Ohad Naharin's Minus 16. Fold, by Japanese choreographer Toru Shimazaki, receives its world premiere. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, Oct. 9-12. More info at www.hubbardstreetdance.com
—A casual atmosphere welcomes audiences to meet or revisit pieces shown at Winifred Haun's Circle in the Square series since 2006. Circle in the Square: New Works in Dance Theatre at Voice of the City, 3429 W. Diversey, Ste. 308, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.; $12/$10 students and seniors.
—Asimina Chremos and Fred Lonberg-Holm started Microgig with the intent to take their cello/dance duets to spaces not intended for performance. It's a good thing, too, because they're both artists with whom you want to get up close and personal, and there's nothing to stop you at Pilsen hangout Skylark. Killer comfort food only sweetens the deal. Skylark, 2149 S. Halsted, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m.; free. See www.myspace.com/microgig.
—DanceWorks Chicago bookends a week with another Dance Chance choreographer showcase Oct. 13 and a lunchtime work-in-progress showing of San Francisco-based Alex Ketley's latest on Oct. 17. More information at www.danceworkschicago.org
—Long an exemplary technician with New York City Ballet, expect Edwaard Liang to contemporize Austen's period restraint with the unexpected for world-premiere ballet The Age of Innocence. The Joffrey Ballet, at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 20 E. Congress Pkwy., Oct. 15-26. More info at www.joffrey.com
—Toulouse, France-based Cie Heddy Maalem brings contemporary and African dance to Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago; Oct. 17-19.
—NAMAH & ZARBANG are a dance and percussion collaboration steeped in the traditions of Iran, spinning them out to touch on current concerns. Dance Center at Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan; Oct. 16-18.
—Ronald K. Brown/Evidence is African dance so pristine and passionate it's like a massage for the eyes. McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn; Oct. 18.
—The program that Trisha Brown brings here is as thoughtfully constructed as her dances, giving audiences a chance to look for throughlines in her choreography through the evolution of her style over decades. The show includes 1971's Accumulation and 2003's PRESENT TENSE; two works from the '90s bridge the gap. Dance Center at Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.; Oct. 23-25.
—Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago presents Celebrate Life at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph; Oct. 24-25.
—Thodos Dance Chicago debuts a slew of brand-new pieces in their fall program at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport; Oct. 24-26.
—For ESENCIAS, The Essence of Mexico, the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago will team up with both Sones de Mexico Ensemble and the Chicago Mariachi Real Guadalajara. Olympic Theater, 6134 W. Cermak, Cicero, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.; $20-25.
—FOURS: Quartets & Solos lets Rachel Thorne Germond celebrate the fourth anniversary of her company, RTG Dance, with new works sharing a relationship with the number four. Link's Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.; $12-15.
—November opens in the western suburbs with a diverse pair of performances: The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa performs Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., and The New Philharmonic and Hubbard Street 2 share the stage Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn; $25-38.
—Natya hosts storied Indian solo dancer Priya Govind at Triton College for the Performing Arts, 2000 N. Fifth, River Grove, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.; $25/$25 students and seniors. Call 312-212-1240 or e-mail bill@natya.com .