Dance

Vitor Luiz, as the Creature, has the best part in San Francisco Ballet’s “Frankenstein.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson/ San Francisco Ballet)

Creature is best feature of SF Ballet’s ‘Frankenstein’

The best parts of San Francisco Ballet’s “Frankenstein” are well known from…

Vitor Luiz, as the Creature, has the best part in San Francisco Ballet’s “Frankenstein.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson/ San Francisco Ballet)
Yuri Possokhov’s timely and affecting “Optimistic Tragedy” is a highlight of San Francisco Ballet's 2017 Program 2. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet goes boldly into the future

For artistic director Helgi Tomasson and San Francisco Ballet, it’s not enough…

Yuri Possokhov’s timely and affecting “Optimistic Tragedy” is a highlight of San Francisco Ballet's 2017 Program 2. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
Batsheva Dance Company is making a highly anticipated return to The City. (Courtesy Gadi Dagon)

2017 Winter Arts Preview: Dance

San Francisco Ballet Program 1: Helgi Tomasson’s “Haffner Symphony,” Jirí Bubenícek’s Fragile…

Batsheva Dance Company is making a highly anticipated return to The City. (Courtesy Gadi Dagon)
Choreographer Gregory Dawson celebrates dawsondancesf’s 10th anniversary with the world premiere “les vérités” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. (Courtesy Devi Pride Photography)

Gregory Dawson finds truth in panoramic dance

San Francisco choreographer Gregory Dawson is preparing for a homecoming as his…

Choreographer Gregory Dawson celebrates dawsondancesf’s 10th anniversary with the world premiere “les vérités” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. (Courtesy Devi Pride Photography)
San Francisco Ballet dancers rocked the world premiere of Benjamin Millepied’s “The Chairman Dances.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet goes contemporary in 2017 gala

There were tutus in just two of 11 numbers in San Francisco…

San Francisco Ballet dancers rocked the world premiere of Benjamin Millepied’s “The Chairman Dances.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
Dance Brigade’s 40th anniversary presentation “Gracias a la Vida: Love in Bitter Time” comes to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Jan. 13-14. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)

SF’s wild, wonderful Dance Brigade going strong at 40

San Francisco’s Dance Brigade is marking 40 years of art and activism…

Dance Brigade’s 40th anniversary presentation “Gracias a la Vida: Love in Bitter Time” comes to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Jan. 13-14. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)
From left, Colin Epstein, Julie Mahony, David Silpa, Zach Fischer and Jenny McAllister appear in “Next Time, I’ll Take the Stairs.” (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)

13th Floor’s ‘Stairs’ is whimsical, watchable

Five limber, uniquely expressive performers go on a wild ride in 13th…

From left, Colin Epstein, Julie Mahony, David Silpa, Zach Fischer and Jenny McAllister appear in “Next Time, I’ll Take the Stairs.” (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)
From left, Nicole Haskins, Mengjun Chen and Lauren Pschirrer dance in “We Three Kings,” a premiere by Rex Wheeler in Smuin’s annual “The Christmas Ballet.” (Courtesy Keith Sutter)

Rex Wheeler’s ‘We Three Kings’ new to Smuin ‘Christmas Ballet’

Bay Area choreographer Rex Wheeler’s new dance for Smuin’s 2016 edition of…

From left, Nicole Haskins, Mengjun Chen and Lauren Pschirrer dance in “We Three Kings,” a premiere by Rex Wheeler in Smuin’s annual “The Christmas Ballet.” (Courtesy Keith Sutter)
]Mark Foehringer’s family favorite “Nutcracker Sweets” comes to Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater. (Courtesy photo)

Holiday Dance 2016: Sugarplums abound!

Toe shoes are on for the season’s festivities, with “Nutcrackers” galore, and…

]Mark Foehringer’s family favorite “Nutcracker Sweets” comes to Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater. (Courtesy photo)
Designer Kate Mitchell is pictured with fashions featured in “Terrain.” (Courtesy photo)

‘Terrain’ offers new attitudes about aging women

Oakland-based artist-choreographer Kate Mitchell got the idea for her newest project, “Terrain,”…

Designer Kate Mitchell is pictured with fashions featured in “Terrain.” (Courtesy photo)
Carola Zertuche, artistic director of Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco, is celebrating her 10th year with the 50-year-old company. (Courtesy RJ Muna)

Major milestones for Carola Zertuche’s Theatre Flamenco

For her 10th anniversary as artistic director of Theatre Flamenco of San…

Carola Zertuche, artistic director of Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco, is celebrating her 10th year with the 50-year-old company. (Courtesy RJ Muna)
Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble performers include, from left, Shawn Hawkins, Cria Merchant and Alexander Zander Brown. (Courtesy Alan Kimara Dixon)

Kendra Kimbrough Dance turns 20 with two premieres

As she has for two decades, Kendra Kimbrough Barnes isn’t shying away…

Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble performers include, from left, Shawn Hawkins, Cria Merchant and Alexander Zander Brown. (Courtesy Alan Kimara Dixon)
Ashley Murphy is among the dancers featured in director Frances McElroy’s “Black Ballerina.” (Courtesy Frances McElroy, Shirley Road Productions)

SF Dance Film fest kicks off seventh edition

The seventh annual San Francisco Dance Film Festival, a four-day lineup of…

Ashley Murphy is among the dancers featured in director Frances McElroy’s “Black Ballerina.” (Courtesy Frances McElroy, Shirley Road Productions)
Artem Ovcharenko portrays the legendary title character in “Rudolf Nureyev-Dance to Freedom.” (Courtesy IWC Media)

Thrilling Nureyev docu-drama kicks off SF dance film fest

The U.S. premiere of “Rudolf Nureyev-Dance to Freedom,” which cleverly recreates how…

Artem Ovcharenko portrays the legendary title character in “Rudolf Nureyev-Dance to Freedom.” (Courtesy IWC Media)
Jessica Wagner and Dance Theatre of San Francisco appear in the film “Unspoken.” (Courtesy Josh LaCunha/RJ Muna)

‘Unspoken’ a gorgeous film-dance collaboration

Dance Theatre of San Francisco is doing something different for its fourth…

Jessica Wagner and Dance Theatre of San Francisco appear in the film “Unspoken.” (Courtesy Josh LaCunha/RJ Muna)
Wei-Shan Lai, left, and SanSan Kwan dance in “The Eye of Compassion” at Donaldina Cameron House in Chinatown. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)

Lenora Lee Dance’s ‘Eye of Compassion’ a reflective adventure

Six dynamic performers lead viewers on a meditative, historical and beautiful journey…

Wei-Shan Lai, left, and SanSan Kwan dance in “The Eye of Compassion” at Donaldina Cameron House in Chinatown. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)
“Mothership (Part I), a premiere by choreographer Raissa Simpson, is part of PUSHfest at ODC Theater. (Courtesy photo)

PUSH Dance Co. explores race, history in ‘Mothership’

With an upcoming three-part world premiere, and the start of her troupe…

“Mothership (Part I), a premiere by choreographer Raissa Simpson, is part of PUSHfest at ODC Theater. (Courtesy photo)
Deborah Karp is among the choreographers featured in West Wave Dance Festival’s ”25 Artists for 25 Years” at Z Space. (Courtesy Lynne Fried)

Fall 2016 Performing Arts Preview: Classical and Dance

Local, national and internationally acclaimed artists dance, sing and play on! San…

Deborah Karp is among the choreographers featured in West Wave Dance Festival’s ”25 Artists for 25 Years” at Z Space. (Courtesy Lynne Fried)
Sarah Griffin, Andre Silva and Peter Franc appear in Amy Seiwert’s “Instructions,” part of the “SKETCH 6” series. (Courtesy David DeSilva)

Amy Seiwert Imagery’s dances take chances with words

Choreographer Amy Seiwert admittedly has been challenged by her upcoming world-premiere “Instructions,”…

Sarah Griffin, Andre Silva and Peter Franc appear in Amy Seiwert’s “Instructions,” part of the “SKETCH 6” series. (Courtesy David DeSilva)
Red Bull Flying Bach dancers took to San Francisco streets in April to preview their show at the Masonic this weekend. (Courtesy Red Bull)

Fugue meets break dance in Flying Bach

Appearing in the Bay Area this week, Red Bull Flying Bach showcases…

Red Bull Flying Bach dancers took to San Francisco streets in April to preview their show at the Masonic this weekend. (Courtesy Red Bull)