15 Must-See Dance Performances in Metro Phoenix During Fall 2015

The start of the 2015-16 dance season is looking delightfully eclectic, with offerings that include not only Phoenix-area traditions such as Scorpius Dance Theatre’s A Vampire Tale, but also some touring productions including modern takes on music by Bizet and Bach. From classic story ballets to contemporary works infused by dancers’ own personal narratives, this fall’s line-up includes a little something for everyone’s dance palate.

Scorpius Showcase
September 11
Scorpius Aerial Studios

Scorpius Dance Theatre presents an intimate evening of dance and aerial arts showcasing original works by new company members and artistic director Lisa Starry. Mix and mingle with the dancers, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and bid on auction items to support the company’s travel to England to perform at the Bram Stoker International Film Festival. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit the Scorpius Dance Theatre website.

Ballet Hispanico
September 16 and 18
Mesa Arts Center

The New York-based dance company presents a Picasso-inspired twist on the Georges Bizet classic Carmen, melding its Latino roots with an eclectic approach to contemporary dance. Live from Lincoln Center will be filming the production for use in an international movie release. Tickets are $25 to $40, and available by calling 480-644-6500. For more information, visit the Mesa Arts Center website.

Ballet Under the Stars
September 24 to October 2
Locations vary

Ballet Arizona performs selections from various productions in outdoor settings at five metro Phoenix locations, including Beardsley Park, Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, Steele Indian School Park, Tempe Center for the Arts Amphitheater, and Fountain Park. Admission is free, and no tickets are required to attend. For more information, visit the Ballet Arizona website.

A Vampire Tale
October 1 through 10
Hormel Theatre at Phoenix Theatre

Scorpius Dance Theatre performs the ever-evolving piece choreographed by Lisa Starry in which a young girl finds herself both frightened and fascinated by a band of underworld bloodsuckers — eventually becoming infatuated with their vampire king. Tickets are $25, and available by calling 602-254-2151. For more information, visit the Scorpius Dance Theatre website.

Swan Lake
October 2
Chandler Center for the Arts

Russian Grand Ballet presents the classic Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ballet that wraps love and deception in the spirit of romanticism. Tickets are $20 to $42, and available by calling 480-782-2680. For more information, visit the Chandler Center for the Arts website. 

Fall Forward!
October 2 to 4
Paul V. Galvin Playhouse

New works created by Arizona State University faculty and guests, who use a wide range of movement styles and new media designed to redefine dance and live performance. Tickets are $8 to $16, and available by calling 480-965-6447. For more information, visit the ASU Events website.

Arizona Dance Festival
October 9 and 10
Tempe Center for the Arts

Two different programs featuring various styles of dance including modern, classical, flamenco, contemporary, and more — performed by emerging and established artists from Arizona, New York, Las Vegas, and California. Each program features more than a dozen performers. Local companies performing include Desert Dance Theatre, Dulce Dance Company, Movement Source Dance Company, Step’s Junk Funk, and Diane McNeal Hunt/ELEVATE DanceWorks. Tickets are $10 to $18, and available by calling 480-350-2822. For more information, visit the Desert Dance Theatre website.

Reflections
October 22 to 25
Herberger Theater Center

Reflections features new choreography by Frances Smith Cohen, artistic director for Center Dance Ensemble, and by resident choreographer Diane McNeal Hunt and guest choreographer Donald Dadey. This production tells a story of the women who pioneered the West called Quilters. Tickets are $14 to $28, and available by calling 602-252-8497. For more information, visit the Center Dance Ensemble website.

Coppélia
October 29 to November 1
Symphony Hall

Ballet Arizona performs the comedic tale of an eccentric toymaker and a young couple whose lives are complicated by mistaken identities and other misadventures. Choreography is by Ib Andersen and music is by Leo Delibes. Tickets are $15 to $159 and available by calling 602-381-1096. For more information, visit the Ballet Arizona website. 

Kaash (If Only)
November 3
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

England’s Akram Khan Company performs a revival of their 2002 evening-length work titled Kaash, featuring choreography by Khan that blends contemporary dance with a classical Indian dance form called Kathak. The company performed during opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics in London. This performance includes music by composer Nitin Sawhney and set design by sculptor Anish Kapoor. Tickets are $39 to $69, and available by calling 480-499-8587. For more information, visit the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts website.

I’m Not As Think As You Drunk I Am
November 12
Crescent Ballroom

Performer, choreographer, and interdisciplinary digital media artist Jessica Rajko (an assistant professor at the Arizona State University School of Film, Dance, and Theatre) presents a new dance work created in collaboration with ASU students and dancers Felix Cruz, Jordan Daniels, Sydney Jackson, Elisa Radcliffe, and Juan Rodriguez — which blends personal narratives with research about race, gender, sexual identity, and drinking behavior. Ticket information has not been announced as of this writing. Find more information on Jessica Rajko's website.

Bach Dances
November 17
Mesa Arts Center

Rioult Dance NY performs a series of classic modern dances set to the Baroque music of J.S. Bach amid scenic design infused with 21st century technology. Pascal Rioult is a former principal with the Martha Graham Dance Company who brings a European sensibility to classic American modern dance. Tickets are $32 to $42, and available by calling 480-644-6500. For more information, visit the Mesa Arts Center website.

Snow Queen
December 5 to 20
Herberger Theater Center

The classic story by Hans Christian Andersen imagines the impact a young couple in love has on an evil Snow Queen and is set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Choreography is by Frances Smith Cohen, artistic director for Center Dance Ensemble. Tickets are $14 to $28, and available by calling 602-258-9481. For more information, visit the Center Dance Ensemble website.

The Nutcracker
December 11 to 27
Symphony Hall

Ballet Arizona performs The Nutcracker, featuring choreography by Ib Andersen and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with a cast of more than 150 dancers. The holiday classic explores the holiday dreams of young girl named Clara. Tickets are $15 to $164, and available by calling 602-381-1096. For more information, visit the Ballet Arizona website.

So You Think You Can Dance
December 12
Comerica Theatre

Contestants from season 12 of the FOX television dance competition perform dances in both stage styles (including ballet, ballroom, contemporary, jazz, Latin, and tap) and street styles (including break dancing, hip hop, and krump). Tickets are $38 to $68, and available through Live Nation. For more information, visit the FOX website.

Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.