The Chicago dance scene is a busy one this fall with performances by all the major local companies plus a handful of visiting choreographers and troupes.
The classic novel “Jane Eyre” gets the ballet treatment; choreographer Lar Lubovitch’s long career is honored; a choreographer teams up with an architect to create a new work; and the modern dance of India is highlighted. Plus there’s an all-night dance event in a park, a high-tech “Sleeping Beauty,” and a visiting troupe from Australia.
Here are highlights of the fall dance season in Chicago:
Yin He Dance Company: The ensemble, which presents traditional and contemporary Chinese dance, performs “Visions,” a work inspired by visual art. Sept. 13-15. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $10-$15; linkshall.org
Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival: Two programs showcasing a diverse roster of 19 local, regional and national companies. Sept. 20-28. Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, $25; hccdf.brownpapertickets.com
“Then a Cunning Vise and A Night We Spend Gazing at Stars”: Emily Johnson’s all-night dance event weaves together stories and performance with the exchange of ideas, the sharing of food and the endurance of spending a night under the stars. From 5 p.m.-8 a.m. Sept. 28-29, Dance Center of Columbia College at Calumet Park, 9801 S. Ave. G, Pay-what-you-can; dance.colum.edu
Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater & Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre: The two Chicago companies explore identity and culture through dance and music. Ensemble Espanol presents a tribute to its late founder Dame Libby Komaiko; Cerqua Rivera Dance performs the Chicago premiere of its first evening length work “American Catracho.” Oct. 4. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $29-29-$68; auditoriumtheatre.org
A Celebration of Lar Lubovitch: Performing works from the choreographer’s 50-year career are The Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet Austin and Jonathan Alsberry. Oct. 5-6. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $35-$150; harristheaterchicago.org
“Electrogynous”: d. Saleba grimes, a former Rennie Harris company member, with his own hip-hop fusion, a movement style derived from black vernacular social-dance practices, music, activism and their interconnectedness. Oct. 10-12. Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan, $10-$30; dance.colum.edu
Zephyr Dance: Michelle Kranicke, director of the experimental dance company, collaborated with architect David Sundry on a new work “On Notice,” an investigation of the ways we negotiate actual and virtual space. Audience members can move around the space as the performance unfolds. Oct. 10-19. SITE/less, 1250 W. Augusta, $20; zephyrdance.com
“Jane Eyre”: The Joffrey Ballet, in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, presents the Chicago premiere of choreographer Cathy Marston’s avant-garde adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel about the young governess and the mysterious Mr. Rochester; set to the music of Phillip Feeney. Oct. 16-27. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $35-$199; joffrey.org
Between Gestures: A festival that connects European contemporary performance and dance to Chicago: Noe Soulier’s “Movement on Movement” (Oct. 24) and Pol Pi’s “ECCE (H)OMO” (Oct. 26). Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, $5, $10; dance.colum.edu.
Giordano Dance Chicago: Performing a new work by Peter Chu, Randy Duncan’s “Can’t Take This Away,” Marinda Davis’ “Flickers,” Del Dominguez and Laura Flores “Sabroso” and Alberto Arias’ restaging of “Surrender. Oct. 25-26. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $20-$90; harristheaterchicago.org
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Featuring new works by Kyle Abraham and Rena Butler plus “Grace Engine,” a full company work by Crystal Pite that has been called “highly cinematic.” Nov. 7-10. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $25-$110; hubbardstreetdance.com
Natya Dance Theater: Presenting the world premiere of “INAI–The Connection,” a collaboration between Natya’s artistic director Hema Rajagopalan and Astad Deboo, a pioneer of modern dance in India. Nov. 7-9. Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, $10-$30; dance.colum.edu
Ailey II: The next generation of dancers at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform Uri Sands’ “Tracks,” Bradley Shelver’s “Where There Are Tongues” and the company standard “Revelations.” Nov. 9. McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $39-$48; atthemac.org
“Sleeping Beauty Dreams”: A performance that integrates visual art and technology as well as dance to explore the princess’ dreams during her 100-year long sleep. Nov. 10. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $35-$150; auditoriumtheatre.org
Bangarra Dance Theatre Australia: The Aboriginal and Torrees Strait Islander company’s repertoire draws on stories gathered from respected community elders. Nov. 22-23. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $10-$140; harristheaterchicago.org
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.