Fall arts preview 2018: Top 10 dance picks this season

The fall dance season celebrates America’s diversity, with a sensual “Bolero” danced to a Cuban band, athletic Hungarian folk dancers kicking up their heels and graceful wheelchair dancers. But wait, there’s more. Among our top 10 events you’ll find tigers and tutus and trolley tours, oh my!

“Beyond Babel”

A contemporary take on the classic “Romeo and Juliet,” the premiere of this immersive, urban dance show is created by “So You Think You Can Dance” stars Keone and Mari Madrid and Brooklyn-based Hideaway Circus, a circus/theater production company co-founded by Lyndsay Magid Aviner and Josh Aviner. Sept. 21 to Nov. 18. Beyond Babel Theater, 2625 Imperial Ave., San Diego. $35-$125. (866) 811-4111. beyondbabelshow.com

San Diego Dance Theater: “Trolley Dances”

San Diego Dance Theater celebrates its 20-year partnership with MTS by staging site-specific dance that starts at Hazard Center station and follows the Sycuan Green Line. By popular demand, choreography by Monica Bill Barnes, Bradley Lundberg, Terry Wilson, Kim Epifano, Debi Toth-Ward and artistic director Jean Isaacs can be seen on two-hour, guided tours. All sites are handicap accessible. Oct. 5-7. Hazard Center Trolley Station, 7611 Hazard Center Drive. $40 general; $15-$25 students, seniors, military. (619) 225-1803. sandiegodancetheater.org

“Ballet Folklórico de México Amalia Hernández”

The music, choreography and vibrant costumes of Mexico are showcased, from ancient to contemporary times. A Latin-themed dining experience ($35) is available before the show. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $25-$70. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org

San Diego Ballet: “Jungle Book”

San Diego Ballet artistic director Javier Velasco creates an amalgam of ballet, jazz, hip-hop and puppetry to tell Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale with dance. Mowgli and company journey through the jungle, along with Kaa, the snake, and Sher Khan, the tiger in this family-friendly production. 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20; 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21. $15-$50. Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. (619) 294-7378. sandiegoballet.org.

“World of Dance Live Tour”

The tour presents original showcases that feature favorites from the NBC television show, including Michael Dameski, Charity and Andres, Ashley and Zach and others. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $39.50-$121.50. (619/858/760) 570-1100. sandiegotheatres.org

City Ballet: “Tchaikovsky Spectacular”

City Ballet of San Diego celebrates the Russian composer with three performances accompanied by a live orchestra. Choreographed by artistic director Elizabeth Wistrich, the company performs the romantic “Swan Lake Act II,” the dramatic “Black Swan Pas de Deux” and the expressive “Tchai Celebration,” danced to “The Seasons.” 8 p.m. Nov. 2-3; 2 p.m. Nov. 4. Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown. $30-$89. (858) 272-8663. cityballet.org

“Spirit of Hungary 1848”

The Hungarian National Dance Ensemble pays tribute to the revolution against Habsburg rule with athletic folk dancing and vibrant costumes. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3. The Auditorium at TSRI, 10620 John Hopkins Drive, San Diego. $20-$40; children younger than age 12, $15. (973)-473-0013. talentshadows.events

California Ballet: “Noche Latina”

A live Cuban band accompanies California Ballet in an evening of dance that includes the world premiere of artistic director Jared Nelson’s interpretation of the fiery “Bolero,” Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” and the West Coast premiere of Septime Webre’s “Juanita y Alicia,” a dance narrative based on the choreographer’s real-life family in Cuba. 7:30 pm. Nov. 9; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. $30 to $65. Children must be age 4 and up to attend. (858) 560-6741. californiaballet.org

PGK Dance Project: “Immerse”

PGK Dance Project performs new choreography by director Peter G. Kalivas and the evening includes a guest performance by Wheelchair Dancers San Diego. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10. Balboa Park Club, 2144 Pan American Road W., San Diego. $25. Discounts for seniors, military and students. (619) 886-7924. thepgkdanceproject.org

La Jolla Music Society: Pilobolus and “Shadowland”

Animation, video and shadow-theater combine with the contemporary dance company Pilobolus to tell the story of a teenage girl who is stuck in the land of shadows. The La Jolla Music Society brings this visually delightful show to San Diego as part of its dance series, with a prelude interview at 7 p.m. hosted by Molly Puryear. 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 10. Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown. $20-$75. (858) 459-3728. ljms.org

“So You Think You Can Dance Live!”

The touring version of the Emmy Award-winning Fox TV show showcases the Top 10 contestants from Season 15, including Jensen Arnold, Darius Hickman, Chelsea Hough, Cole Mills and more. Special meet-and-greet packages available. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $39.50 to $425.50. (619/858/760) 570-1100. sandiegotheatres.org