BalletX preps for world premieres

Allison Walsh and Billy Cannon perform for BalletX. Allison Walsh and Billy Cannon perform for BalletX.

Choreographers Gabrielle Lamb and Tobin Del Cuore are returning to their BalletX roots this spring to design shows for the adventurous ballet troupe’s 10 dancers. Anyone who’s a lyrical gangsta — that is, a lyrical contemporary ballet fan — will be jazzed by the upcoming lineup.
Lamb currently dances with Pontus Lidberg Dance in New York, and Del Cuore has choreographed shows for dancers from Australia to Hawaii. Both will be premiering works with BalletX. The company is also bringing in Olivier Wevers, founder of the Seattle-based Whim W’Him dance company.
“BalletX continually strives to present compelling dance, and we’re proud to welcome three innovative choreographers,” says Johnny Van Heest, a spokesperson for the troupe. “We’re particularly excited to see what our former dancers will create.”

If you go
BalletX
Spring 2013
April 17-21
Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad St.
$35, www.balletx.org

Shut up, dance
On March 23, for the 21st year running, members of BalletX and the Pennsylvania Ballet are teaming with MANNA for “Shut Up & Dance.” The one-night performance at the Forrest Theatre benefits MANNA’s meal and nutrition program. For tickets, go to www.mannapa.org

Dance listings

River North Dance Chicago
This is the world premiere of a piece inspired by the late singer-songwriter Eva Cassidy. April 4-6, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.,
215-898-3900,
www.annenbergcenter.org

Pennsylvania Ballet
Christopher Wheeldon’s “Carnival of the Animals,” set to a score by Camille Saint-Saens, has narration written by John Lithgow. May 9-12, Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999,
www.paballet.org.
SHAUN BRADY