École des Sables in “The Rite of Spring”/Photo: Maarten Vanden Abeele
1 The Rite of Spring/common ground[s] (Harris Theater) Germaine Acogny, the grande dame of contemporary African dance, brings her Senegal-based École des Sables to the States with a performance of Pina Bausch’s earth-rumbling “Rite of Spring,” and performs in a duet with Malou Airaudo, alum of Bausch’s Tanztheatre Wuppertal, in a not-to-be-missed double bill. October 27-28
2 13 Tongues (Auditorium Theatre) The stunning Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns with a fantastic evening-length show that weaves Taoist rituals into a fantasy realm inspired by the street life of Bangka, the oldest district of Taipei. October 14-15
3 Elevate Chicago Dance (Citywide) After a three-year hiatus, the festival celebrating Chicago choreographers is back, with over thirty artists presenting work at venues citywide. October 13-16
4 Beyond Borders (Lyric Opera House) The Joffrey Ballet opens their fall season with a mixed rep program including a new commission from Chanel DaSilva and an old favorite from Joffrey co-founder Gerald Arpino. October 12-23
5 Refraction (Harris Theater) Hubbard Street Dance’s forty-fifth season opens with a world premiere by beloved Chicago choreographer Randy Duncan, and restagings of pieces by Cuban choreographer Osnel Delgado and New York-based Darrell Grand Moultrie. September 29-October 2
