Spring has nearly sprung, and with the change of season, dancers are springing into action with a variety of upcoming concerts countywide.
Negative Space Dance Collective: ‘Ripple Effect: A Dance for Clean Water’
The collective presents an improvisational performance intended to raise awareness about water conservation, the sewage crisis and social responsibility. Two shows feature choreographic works by Ilyana Hughes, Mariana Lara, Ranier Martinez, Samara Rodriguez and Alexa Lopez Plush. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. El Salon Theatre, 114 W Hall Ave, San Ysidro. Free. Reserve seats at nsdanceco.wixsite.com/negativespace
The Rosin Box Project: ‘Empower: A Prism of New Work’
Premieres by Carly Topazio, Jeremy Zapanta, and guest choreographer Adriana Pierce (featured in the 2022 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”) will introduce The Rosin Box Project’s Parallax season with a celebration of distinct dance perspectives. The trio of contemporary ballet works illuminate how “authorship, identity, and imagination transform what we see, and what we feel.” 7:30 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday. Light Box Theater, Liberty Station, 2590 Truxtun Road, Suite 205, San Diego. $44.52. therosinboxproject.com
Golden State Ballet will present three dance works, including George Balanchine’s “Allegro Brillante,” in its “The Four Seasons” dance concerts March 28 and 29 in San Diego. (Sam Zauscher)
Golden State Ballet: ‘The Four Seasons’
Three distinct choreographic works by modern and traditional dancemakers keep dancers on their toes. The show includes “The Four Seasons” by Princess Grace Award-winning choreographer Houston Thomas, Balanchine’s joyful “Allegro Brillante” and “Thoughtscape” by Natasha Rader, who also performs with Ballet Collective San Diego. 4 and 8 p.m. March 28; 1 and 5 p.m. March 29. Golden State Ballet Studios, 6338 Riverdale St., San Diego. $49.60-$64.60, ages 10 and younger, $29.60. goldenstateballet.org
ArtPower at UCSD will present the all-female tap dance group Syncopated Ladies on April 9. (Sameer Copper)
ArtPower at UCSD: Syncopated Ladies
It’s all about girl power in this all-female, tap-dance production that portrays the hopes and dreams of the participants with fiery footwork and feminine prowess. The show was conceived by choreographer Chloé Arnold, a protegé of Debbie Allen. The Gilman Parking Structure provides the closest parking. Permits can be purchased at permit machines or through the Parkmobile App. 7:30 p.m. April 9. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $30-$55. artpower.ucsd.edu
Dancing with the Stars: Live!, featuring performers from the long-running TV show, comes to the San Diego Civic Theatre on April 22. (Amy Ryerson)
Dancing with the Stars: Live!
The new show makes a tour stop in San Diego with performances by 10 ballroom dance professionals including celebrities Emma Slater, Jenna Johnson and the Ukrainian-American dancer known for the “knee-walk,” Val Chmerkovskiy. Andy Richter hosts with Australian TV personality Robert Irwin and gymnast Jordan Chiles. 7:30 p.m. April 22. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1110 Third Ave., downtown. $261-$917. sandiegotheatres.org
Ireland’s Riverdance returns to San Diego May 1-3 on a 30th anniversary tour. (Abhann Productions)
Broadway San Diego: ‘Riverdance’
This show is on a special anniversary tour, celebrating 30 years with new choreography, sparkly green costumes and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics. The fierce and feet-pounding new cast includes four-time World Champion Irish dancer Keeva Corry and Australia’s competitive Irish dancers and brothers Will and Kieran Bryant, along with Will’s girlfriend, fiddler Haley Richardson. 7:30 May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 2; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. May 3. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1110 Third Ave., downtown. $56-$147. broadwaysd.com
Sumire Ito performs Elizabeth Wistrich’s “The Firebird,” which will be presented as part of City Ballet of San Diego’s The Firebird” spring dance concert on May 2 and 3 in Escondido. (Chelsea Penyak)
City Ballet of San Diego: ‘The Firebird’
Ballerinas will burn up the stage in Elizabeth Wistrich’s retelling of the Russian fairy tale, danced to Igor Stravinsky’s famous score. And as southern California’s largest presenter of George Balanchine’s iconic works, the jazzy, full-length “Who Cares?” has been added to the company’s repertoire. The ballet is performed to 16 classics that George Gershwin composed, including “The Man I Love,” “Embraceable You,” and “Who Cares?” A free lecture by City Ballet artistic director Steven Wistrich starts 45 minutes prior to each performance. 8 p.m. May 2; 2 p.m. May 3. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $39-$119. cityballet.org
San Diego Ballet: ‘Impressionism — I Love Paris’
The vibrant works of Toulouse-Lautrec are interpreted by the San Diego Ballet company, along with artistic director Javier Velasco’s lyrical take on French Impressionism. He elucidates the swirls of color and light in “Debussy Dances,” a romantic ballet accompanied by the emotionally potent “Claire de lune” and the lush “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.” 7 p.m. May 22; 8 p.m. May 23; 2 p.m. May 24. San Diego Museum of Art, James S. Copley Auditorium, 1450 El Prado, San Diego. $45. sandiegoballet.org