Peter D. Mumford
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THURSDAY-SUNDAY
DANCE
AMY O'NEAL
Though she made perhaps her biggest splash as the female singer in the Bowie tribute at On the Boards last May, O'Neal is a lovely dancer and smart choreographer who has been getting a lot of commissions and general attention lately. Her work can be visually arresting as well as physically challengingshe can sweep across the stage with equal parts disdain and drive. In Deface, she collaborates with composer Zeke Keeble to explore the "boundaries of confinement," compressing her physical dynamism into the Little Theatre's tiny stage. Her most interesting work in the past has been theatrical tableux kinds of stuff, but with this combination of live dance, music, and video, she's turning up the volume on her personal choices. With her are Elie Sandstrom (top left), a very powerful performer, and Mark Haim, who's come to town as artist in residence at the UW's dance program. 8 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 20-Sun., Nov. 23. $12-$20. Little Theatre, 610 19th Ave. E., 206-329-2629. SANDRA KURTZ
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
DANCE
GRUPO CORPO
This modern dance company takes the different movement threads in Brazil's multiethnic heritage native, Portuguese, and African just to startthen amplifies them with capoeira (a very dancey kind of martial art), ballet, and theatrical dance styles to create a big kinetic hit. They're a bit like Ailey in the juicy/sleek category, and they thrilled Meany audiences the last time they came through town. 8 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 20- Sat., Nov. 22. $34. Meany Theater, University of Washington, 206-543-4880. SANDRA KURTZ
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
DANCE
DÉJÀ DONNÉ
I've never seen them, but this one already comes stamped: Interesting evening in the theater. The Prague-based company offers European contemporary dance with high theatrical content and quirky physicality. Their piece this week, In Bella Copia, is billed as a kind of medieval farce. It should be both physically engaging and intellectually satisfying, given the lineage of the company: Choreographers Lenka Flory and Simone Sandroni previously worked with Wim Vandekeybus and his Ultima Vez. 8 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 20-Sun., Nov. 23. $22. On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., 206-217-9888. SANDRA KURTZ
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
DANCE
CORNISH DANCE THEATER
Take a look at the dancers' biographies in your program the next time you're in the theateralmost every company in town is stuffed with graduates from the dance department of Cornish College, which makes their shows a kind of sneak peek at the future. These shows typically present a wild variety of styles and content, and this edition includes dances by David Dorfman (above), who was recently in residence at Cornish, itinerant ballet choreographer Sarah Slipper, Mark Haim, and well-known Cornish faculty member Deborah Wolf. Sometimes these students outperform their professional counterparts. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 21-Sat., Nov. 22. Also 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 22. $8. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave., 206-325-6500. SANDRA KURTZ
SATURDAY
DANCE
VELA LUKA
One of Mark Morris' first dance experiences was with a Balkan company in Anacortes, and you can still see it in his work todaythe way he uses music, the way he uses weight. The Vela Luka Dance Ensemble, based in Anacortes, has up to three generations of dancers performing works from their Croatian heritage. It's a real moms, dads, and kids kind of company, a convivial organic community that shows up at weddings and other festivals. This afternoon's family-friendly show of world culture, titled "Across the Generations," includes two other multigenerational groups: the Sukutai Zimbabwe M'bira Ensemble, led by Lora Chiorah Dye, and the mother-son koto duo of Elizabeth and Brian Falconer. 4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 22. $12. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. , 206-652-4255. SANDRA KURTZ
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