Mapa Corpa
In 2004, award-winning performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña created a new work, and according to the artist, it was too hot for many U.S. venues to handle. He writes: “[It] was rejected by a dozen U.S. museums and universities when they learned the nature of the central image: a nude body covered with 40 acupuncture needles, each bearing a small flag of one of the ‘coalition forces.’ Audience members were invited ‘to decolonize the body/map of the performer’ by extracting a needle/flag. After so many rejections, we decided to just perform the piece in other countries, such as the UK, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. . . ” Paranoia? Or the way we live now? Decide for yourself when Peña and his troupe La Pocha Nostra bring Mapa Corpa to Consolidated Works for one night only. 500 Boren Ave. N., 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com, www.conworks.org. $12-$24. 8 p.m. Fri. March 3 only. LYNN JACOBSON
Grupo Corpo
Always a big hit with Meany audiences, they’re back with two new works in their signature style combining modern dance and Afro-Brazilian influences. Lecuona is a series of duets, some tender, some harsh, and some erotic, all set to love songs by “the Cuban Gershwin,” Ernesto Lecuona. Choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras has a strong connection to music and rhythm throughout his work, mixing it with gymnastic daring so that even a work like Onqotô, ostensibly about the origins of life, is seen through a lens of “brilliant physical display.” Meany Theater, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.meany.org. $42. 8 p.m. Thurs. March 2-Sat. March 4. SANDRA KURTZ
Seattle Youth Symphony
We’ll get plenty of exuberant D major as the kids play Beethoven’s Second Symphony and Mahler’s First under Christian Knapp (pictured), one of the conductors tapped for the SYSO’s maestroless interim season. It’s a demanding post—not only training the kids (both exposing them to standard repertory and teaching them not to fear new music), but exciting the diverse audiences, from great-grandmas to toddlers, who come to cheer on Kaitlyn and Dylan. It’s in some ways the city’s second orchestra, and possibly bears an even greater responsibility for hooking new classical listeners than the Seattle Symphony. Here’s hoping the SYSO search committee finds someone worthy of first-rate predecessors Jonathan Shames and Huw Edwards. Benaroya Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street, 206-362-2300, www.syso.org. $8-$35. 3 p.m. Sun. March 5. GAVIN BORCHERT
