This season's dance line-up includes everything from the traditional Swan Lake to the sensory dynamo that is Fuerza Bruta.
Hedwig Dances, The Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan. 8 p.m. April 4-6; $24-28. The company's 25th anniversary season, this program features world premieres from three women choreographers: Andrea Miller, Susan Marshall and Artistic Director Jan Bartoszek. For more information call 312-369-8330 or visit www.colum.edu/dancecenter.
Joel Hall Dancers present Here's To Life! Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 2, 8 p.m. April 3; $15-30. For Celebrating 36 years, the company's spring concert features premiere works by Joel Hall and guest choreographers William Gill, Joel Valentin-Martinez, James Morrow, Paul Sanasardo and Vanessa Truvillion. Call 312-902-1500 or visit www.joelhall.org .
Elements Contemporary Ballet Presents In This Place, Ruth Page Center For The Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn. 8 p.m. April 9-10 and 16-17; $20-25. This features works by Artistic Director Mike Gosney, guest choreographer James Gregg and company member Joseph Caruana. For more information call 312-337-6543 or visit www.elementscontemporaryballet.com .
Collision Theory, Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, Suite 207. 7:30 p.m. April 12; $12, $10 students. Featuring Chicago underground musicians ZELIENOPLE and improvisational dance artists Lisa Gonzales and Jennifer Kayle, this monthly collaboration between live music and dance encourages a collision of improvised performance. For more information call 773-281-0824 or visit www.linkshall.org .
American Ballet Theater presents Swan Lake, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. Various times between April 15-18; $20-125. Set to Tchaikovsky's musical score performed by a live orchestra in the beautiful Civic Opera House. American Ballet Theatre's acclaimed production of this romantic tale of love and forgiveness features lavish costumes and visually spectacular sets evoking a lakeside Renaissance court. For more information call 312-419-0033 or visit www.civicoperahouse.com .
SHIFT, presented by The Open Space Project, The Inconvenience, 3036 N. Lincoln. 7:30 p.m. April 24; $5 suggested donation. A grassroots contemporary dance festival showcasing up and coming Chicago choreographers, this event provides a look into new works in the developing Chicago dance scene. It features works by Anna Normann & David Gerber, Ally Subak/Laboratory Dancers, J'Sun Howard, Adam Gauzza, Lucy Riner/ REIDance, Meida Teresa McNeal, Philip Elson & Samantha Spriggs/ UnderConstruction Dance Project, Renay Aumiller, Jackie Stewart/Thodos Dance, Chicago&JMT/JLS Choreography, Emily Miller/The Get Down Pick Up company and Suzy Grant. For more information e-mail TOPS@gmail.com .
The Joffrey Ballet presents Eclectica, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress. April 28-May 9; $25-$145. This event features choreography by Gerald Arpino, James Kudelka and Jessica Lang, one of the few female choreographers working in the classical realm. For more information call 800-982- 2787 or visit www.joffrey.org .
Mordine & Co. Dance Theater presents NEXT, Epiphany Church, 201 S. Ashland. May 7-9; $12, $10 students. Works by choreographers from the Company's Emerging Artists Mentoring Project, other invited guest artists, plus the final presentation of "I Haven't Gone There," with original, live music by composer Mark Messing and musicians from Mucca Pazza. For more information visit www.mordine.org .
Transitions, Presented by Taurista Artists, Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, Suite 207. 8 p.m. May 14-15, 7:30 p.m. May 16; $10. Kish Jackson and Baron L. Clay, Jr., bring together 14 Chicago-based dancers in a fusion of dance styles rooted in musical theater and current Hip Hop and Pop music, including jazz, modern, African dance, old-school, krump and lyrical hip-hop. For more information call 773-281-0824 or visit www.linkshall.org .
DanceWorks Chicago presents Dance Bytes, Harold Washington Library, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State. 12:15 May 20; Free. This showing blends a dynamic dance presentation with informative behind-the-scenes insights, providing an opportunity to connect with dance and dancers through an intimate look into the artistic journey. For more information call 773-472-1105 or visit www.danceworkschicago.org .
The DanceCOLEctive presents COLEctive Notions, Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, suite 207. 8 p.m. May 21-22, 7 p.m. May 23; $18, $14 students. This concert gives company members a chance to show their own dance works, featuring choreography by Molly Grimm-Leasure, Donnette Cannonie, Olivia May, Jessica Post, Maggie Koller and Margi Cole. For more information call 773-281-0824 or visit www.dancecolective.com .
Fuerza Bruta: Look Up, presented by Broadway in Chicago, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress. Ongoing beginning May 21st, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 and 6 p.m. Sundays; $75-80. According to a press release, the event will be " [ a ] non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion, and kinetic aerial imagery; filled with flying dancers, pumping beats, engaging dream sequences and a multidimensional swimming pool above the heads of an audience who is standing on stage in the middle of the action." For more information call 312-922-2110 or visit www.fuerzabruta.net .
David Herrera Performance Company ( DHPCo. ) , A Slice of Americana, Links Hall, 3435 N Sheffield, Suite 207. 8 p.m. May 28-29, 7:30 p.m. May 30; $17. DHPCo. is a modern dance/theater company based in San Francisco, CA. The company commits itself to producing movement pieces with a textured emotional core manifested by athleticism, theatrical measures, and cultural integrity. This show contains two works, drawing on political and social topics. "Origins of Flight: An Immigration Story" explores the troubles Latin American women face during immigration from their homelands to the United State. "A Slice of Americana" comments on current social and political American climates, using iconic American photographs to draw parallels and juxtapositions in our collective past and present. For more information call 773-281-0824 or visit www.linkshall.org .