WHETHER YOU'RE a rabid fan of "Dancing With the Stars" or just have a general appreciation for professional hoofers, there are a plenty of cures for dance fever. Here are a few ways to get your local fix in the not-so-distant future.
'SWAN LAKE'
What is it? After performing the production in Mexico, the Atlanta Ballet comes home to kick off its 2008-09 season with "Swan Lake." The company uses its fancy footwork to tell this romantic fairy tale, which has been a staple of classical dance for eons. The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky's timeless score live.
"Swan Lake" tells the story of the evil sorcerer Count Von Rothbart, who uses his magic to transform some of the kingdom's beautiful women into swans. Prince Siegfried becomes captivated by the beauty of Odette, the queen of the swans. But Von Rothbart wants control over his swans and will do anything to stop Siegfried and Odette's romance, even if it means snuffing out the prince.
Behind the scenes: Atlanta Ballet artistic director John McFall choreographs this version of "Swan Lake." McFall, whose artistry has helped drive the Ballet for the past 14 years, is most recently known for collaborating with Antwan "Big Boi" Patton for the production "Big," a union of live hip-hop performance and ballet.
What to watch for: Keep your eyes peeled for the black swan scene, which takes place during Act 3 just before the ballet's climax. At this point in the story, Prince Siegfried is torn between the black and white swans. Atlanta Ballet staff says this dance between the prince and the black swan is one of the most challenging and technically difficult pieces in the show.
THE 411: $15-$115. Oct. 23-26 and Nov. 1-2. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com, www.atlantaballet.com.
'DIRTY PRETTY'
What is it? Atlanta's Zoetic Dance Ensemble uses modern dance and creative movement in this production, which explores our culture's fixation on beauty and the images technology feeds us. The dancers do this in a variety of scenes, some featuring ultra pretty characters gliding about in a club setting. But the end result finds true beauty comes from within.
The various dance numbers found in "Dirty Pretty" not only showcase modern dance techniques, but athleticism, too. The production features Zoetic Dance Ensemble members and guest artist Gregory Cattelier of Emory University.
Behind the scenes: Melding athleticism with dance has been one of Zoetic Dance Ensemble's missions since the nonprofit organization's inception in 1999. Founders Candess Giyan and Melanie Lynch-Blanchard chose the name Zoetic from the Greek work zoe, which means living, vital and animated.
What to watch for: The final piece of the show, also entitled "Dirty Pretty," is a 20-minute segment that incorporates dancing with multimedia film work. A group of dancers are bound together by a single bungee cord, providing an interesting array of push-pull movements.
THE 411: $10-$15. 8 p.m. Oct. 30-Nov. 1. 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta. 404-523-7647, www.7stages.org.
ALL-TARGETS-LEVELED INTERNATIONAL BREAKDANCE COMPETITION
What is it?: Organizers are expecting plenty of local and out-of-town competitors for breakdancing, an acrobatic dance style popularized in the early '80s. Breakdancers, known as B-boys and B-girls, can register on site and audition for the judges to compete. A total of eight competitors will be chosen. Dancers go head-to-head on the hardwood floor in a battle of skill, each vying for the $1,000 cash prize and bragging rights.
Luminaries from the breakdance community will serve as judges, and local breakdancer Pako the Panik hosts. Hip-hop act Clan Destined performs live. And DJs Solomon Grundy, JDKNS and Channellock will be spinning vinyl.
Behind the scenes: The judges bring plenty of breakdancing cred to the table. Acclaimed graffiti artist Totem, who most recently created artwork for the Atlanta premiere of the film "Max Payne," has been teaching aspiring breakdancers for more than 10 years. He's also founder of Burn Unit, one of Atlanta's well-known breakdance crews.
Aruna, the only female judge on the panel, is an internationally competitive dancer based in Rotterdam, Holland. She performed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Ken Swift, a legend in the world of breakdancing, receives credit for devising some of the genre's basic moves. As an original member of New York's Rock Steady Crew, Swift's breaking has been seen in a variety of films, including "Flashdance" and "Beat Street."
What to watch for: The eight contestants chosen to battle will be allowed entrance into an arena built especially for the event. Enclosed by a fence, the arena scene will be decorated with street-theme props including a car, dumpster, picnic table and stairs. Dancers will be encouraged to interact with the environments. Organizers are expecting high-energy improvisation heavy on acrobatics.
THE 411: $10. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 25. Ambient + Studio, 585 Wells St., Atlanta. 404-644-3806, www.alltargetsleveled.com.
ASO FAMILY CONCERT: A HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
What is it?: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conductor Jere Flint, decked out in one of his seasonal personas (Wizard Jere or Count Jere), leads the musicians through a variety of Halloween-themed pieces. Expect boisterous renditions of the classics, including Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and Humperdinck's "Witches' Ride." Kids might recognize contemporary pieces, including John Williams' "Harry's Wondrous World" from the film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Choreographer Lee Harper oversees 70 dancers, including her troupe Lee Harper & Dancers and the Woodward Academy Dance Ensemble, in a series of interpretive numbers.
Behind the scenes: For the past 15 years, Lee Harper has choreographed and performed for ASO's Halloween and family holiday programs. She formed her locally based company, Lee Harper & Dancers, in 1980, specializing in ballet, modern dance and jazz. Audiences might remember her company's performances during both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games.
What to watch for: Colorful and festive dances highlight the production, including the segment "Funeral March of a Marionette." This number, choreographed by Harper's collaborator, Wendy Dixon, features a group of dancers coming together to create a giant ghost. And Harper says not to miss "Penguins," a comically jazzy number set against the music of Raymond Scott.
THE 411: $15-$20. 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4955, www.atlantasymphony.org.
