DANCE

Benefit Gala & Performance Showcase. Show pieces include historic jazz dances from the early 1900s. Reception with silent auction to follow in the lobby. Appearance by jazz legend Dawn Hampton. Live music by Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz. Benefits the Atlanta Jazz Dance Preservation Society. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6. $50. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, www.rialtocenter.org.

"The Scarlet Cord." Depicts the story of Rahab the harlot, Soviet official Vladimir Ivanovich and undercover missionaries Aaron and Anna Grimes, as well as those pressed down by the iron fist of the Soviet government. Presented by Premiere Christian Dance Company from Jackson, Miss. 7 p.m. Sept. 16. $15; $12 students and senior citizens. Centre for Performing and Visual Arts of Coweta County, 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan. 770-254-2787, www.thecentreonline.net.

Dance Canvas' Inaugural Performance Series. World premiere of new choreographers in ballet, modern, hip-hop and jazz. 8 p.m. Sept. 19; 3 and 8 p.m. Sept. 20. $15-$50. 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-384-7140, www.dancecanvas.com.

"America's Best Dance Crew Live." Tour features the return of Season 1 winners, the masked men of JabbaWockeeZ. Also, the Amazing B-boys on Wheels and BrakeSk8. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. $39.50-$56.50. Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-817-8700, www.dancecrew.mtv.com.

"Dance for Reel: An Evening of Dance on Camera." An evening of short films from the Dance Films Association based in New York City, ranging from five to 30 minutes. 8 p.m. Sept. 25. Free. Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road N.E., Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, schwartzcenter.emory.edu.

Variations From "Sleeping Beauty." Tenth anniversary celebration of classical ballet and jazz dance. Performed by Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26; 2 and 7 p.m. Sept. 27. $20; $16 senior citizens and children. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 678-297-2800, www.metropolitan ballet.org.

"Connexions: When Internal Artistry Meets Expression." An array of arrangements and choreography to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." Performed by Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27; 2 p.m. Sept. 28. $24; $22 children and senior citizens. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 678-318-3576, www.ruthmitchelldance.org.

OCTOBER

"Lunchtime in the Studio." A close-up look at the creative process of dance. Lunch and coffee provided to the first 40 guests. Noon-1 p.m. Oct. 3, Dec. 5, Feb. 6, April 3. Free. Several Dancers Core Studio, 139 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-373-4154, www.severaldancerscore.org.

"Together Again for the First Time: New Dances by Suchu and Staib." Emory faculty and guest artist dance concert. 8 p.m. Oct. 3-4. $12. Emory Performing Arts Studio, 1804 N. Decatur Road, Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu.

"Flamenclorico: Lore of the Miners." A choreodrama with live flamenco music and dance telling a story of miners' lives in the dangerous and often deadly profession. 8 p.m. Oct. 4. $36-$62. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, www.rialtocenter.org.

Salon With Nina Martin. Meet and greet with the guest choreographer. Excerpts from her new work performed. 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Free. Several Dancers Core Studio, 139 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-373-4154, www.severaldancerscore.org.

"Giselle." The Georgia Ballet performs this tale of unrequited love, remorse and forgiveness. 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 18; 2 p.m. Oct. 19. $21.50-$32. Cobb County Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 770-528-0881, www.georgiaballet.org.

Russian and Eastern European Folk Music. The Atlanta Balalaika Society performs a concert of Russian and Eastern European folk music and dance, featuring the Romanian dancers of Ensemble Transylvania, domra virtuoso Angelina Galashenkova-Reed and bayan soloist Alla Mulvehill. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18. $20. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 404-325-2449, www.atlantabalalaika.com.

"Swan Lake." A fairy tale of everlasting love. Performed by the Atlanta Ballet. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Oct. 25-Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Sundays. Oct. 26-Nov. 2; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23; 8 p.m. Oct. 24. $15-$125. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 404-892-3303, 404-249-6400, www.atlantaballet.com.

A.T.L. International Breakdance Competition. One-on-one competition including street-themed objects such as a car and a park bench that competitors need to utilize to win. Presented by Burn Unit. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 25. $5-$10. Ambient + Studio, 585 Wells St. S.W., Atlanta. www.alltargetsleveled.com.

"Dirty Pretty." A contemporary dance concert performed by Zoetic Dance Ensemble. 8 p.m. Oct. 30-Nov. 1. $15; $12 students; $10 children. 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-523-7647, www.zoeticdance.org.

NOVEMBER

"So You Think You Can Dance" 2008 Tour. Dancers from the Fox television show perform. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13. $37.50-$54.50. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7600, 404-249-6400, www.fox.com/dance.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. The troupe of 12 dancers founded by Georgia native Bebe Schweppe performs a repertoire of pieces. 8 p.m. Nov. 14. $28 and $38; $20 children. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Georgia Tech, Atlanta. 404-894-9600, www.aspensantafeballet.com.

Paul Taylor Dance Company. Troupe features 16 dancers with more than 127 diverse works in their repertory. 8 p.m. Nov. 15. $36-$62. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, www.ptdc.org.

"Language / Listening." The evening will explore communication and language of different kinds including movement, music, touch, words and drums. Vegetables will be given away. Presented by Louise Runyon Performance Company. 8 p.m. Nov. 21-22. $10 and $12. Beacon Hill Art Center, 410 W. Trinity Place, Decatur. 404-728-8991, www.louiserunyon.blogspot.com.

DECEMBER

Fieldwork Showcase. Performance of works-in-progress created during the Fieldwork workshops. 5 p.m. Dec. 7. $7. Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road N.E., Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu.

JANUARY

"Cinderella." Performed by the State Ballet Theater of Russia. 7 p.m. Jan. 11. $15-$55. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, 404-817-8700, www.foxtheatre.org.

"Coppelia." Child-friendly version of the endearing comic ballet. Presented by Still Pointe Studios. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 17. $12; $8 children. South Forsyth High School, 585 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming. 770-887-5568, www.thestillpointestudios.com.

Momix. Dancer-illusionists fool the naked eye using props, light, shadow, humor and the human body. 8 p.m. Jan. 24. $34, $44; $20 children. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Georgia Tech, Atlanta. 404-894-9600, www.mosespendleton.com.

"Stomp." Musicians use everything but conventional percussion instruments —- matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, cigarette lighters, steel drums and hubcaps —- to fill the hall with rhythm. Presented by Theater of the Stars. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2009. Prices TBA. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-252-8960, www.theaterofthestars.com.

FEBRUARY

"Dracula." Bram Stoker's tale of seduction and surrender. Performed by the Atlanta Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5; 8 p.m. Feb. 6; 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 7; 2 p.m. Sundays. Feb. 8-15; 8 p.m. Feb. 13-14. $15-$125. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 404-892-3303, 404-249-6400, www.atlantaballet.com.

"Contemporary Dance-Vintage Music." Emory dancer/choreographer George Staib and professional Atlanta dancers join the Vega String Quartet. 8 p.m. Feb. 12-14. $15; $8 ages 12 and younger and 65 and older. Emory Performing Arts Studio, 1804 N. Decatur Road, Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 50th Anniversary. New premieres and classics include a collaboration entitled "Go in Grace," combining the choreography of AAADT's Hope Boykin and live vocals from Grammy winning a capella group Sweet Honey In The Rock. 8 p.m. Feb. 19-21; 2 p.m. Feb. 21; 3 p.m. Feb. 22. Tickets TBA. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-817-8700, 404-817-8700, www.foxtheatre.org.

"Dancin and Singin' the Night Away." Variety show with musical theater, jazz and tap, hip-hop, classical and contemporary ballet, lyrical productions and modern dance. Performed by Susan Chambers Dance Company. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-21. $15; $12 senior citizens and children. Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-962-0195, www.susanchambersdance.com.

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company. African, modern, ballet and hip-hop dance styles blend to tell stories about the human experience. 8 p.m. Feb. 20. $28-$38; $20 children. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Georgia Tech, Atlanta. 404-894-9600, www.evidencedance.com .

"The Trial of Mother Goose." Old King Cole thinks Mother Goose has slandered his good name through her classic nursery rhymes. Performed by the Susan Chambers Dance Company. 2 p.m. Feb. 21. $12; $10 senior citizens and children. Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-962-0195 , www.susanchambersdance.com.

"Adumbration." Spring dance concert featuring the KSU Dance Company and world premieres of work by faculty, guest artists and students. 8 p.m. Feb. 25-28. $15. Stillwell Stadium-Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-423-6957, www.kennesaw.edu/arts.