If you’ve been out of the loop for a while, use this week’s performance offerings as a quick refresher of who’s who in the dance scene. In addition to many NYC-based dancers giving shows, multiple touring companies – both national and international – converge upon New York this weekend (Houston Ballet at the Joyce, Matthew Bourne’s The Sleeping Beauty at City Center, Zab Maboungou and Nora Chipaumire’s residency at BAC, to name a few). Here’s what I’m looking forward to this weekend:

San Francisco Ballet at David H. Koch Theater

In the second week of their NYC tour, SF Ballet, under the direction of former Balanchine dancer Helgi Tomasson, presents Christopher Wheeldon’s new version of Cinderella, which receives its New York premiere tonight at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Maria Kochetkova and Yuan Yuan Tan, two of SFB’s most remarkable dancers, each have a turn taking on the title role (Oct. 23 & 27 for Kotchetkova, Oct. 26 for Tan).

Oct. 23-26, 8:00pm and Oct. 26 & 27, 2:00pm
David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center
Columbus Ave. at W. 64th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 496-0600

Edward Villella’s newest work premieres on ice

Sticking with the theme of former NYCB dancers, Edward Villella’s return to New York has him choreographing again – but instead of negotiating pointe shoes, he’s negotiating ice skates. Commissioned by Ice Theatre of New York to make a piece for their world-class group of ice dancers, Villella (who gave a wonderful talk at Barnard College this past Monday regarding his new work and some favorite memories) collaborated with ITNY director Doug Webster on the piece Reveries, part of the mixed program being presented this weekend at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers.

Oct. 24, 25, & 26, 7:00pm (Oct. 25th is ITNY’s Gala)
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Pier 61 – 23rd St. at Hudson River Park
New York, NY 10011
(212) 336-6100

Dance at MoMA: Museé de la danse continues its Living Museum

In its second installment of the “Three Collective Gestures” series, MoMA and choreographer Boris Charmatz combine forces to present Charmatz’s 2010 work Levée des conflits extended/Suspension of Conflicts Extended this weekend. The piece consists of 25 repeated gestures, but only 24 dancers; at each moment, there is one gesture left unperformed. More conceptual than technical, but promising. Read Charmatz’s “Manifesto for a Dancing Museum” to get a handle on the ideas behind the exhibition. 

If you can’t make it to MoMA, you’re not completely out of luck: the work will also be live-streamed at this link. 

Oct. 25, 26, & 27, 12:00pm-5:00pm
The Museum of Modern Art
11 W. 53rd St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 708-9400