DATE: Sunday, September 7, 1997             TAG: 9709050231

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Sue Van Hecke

                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

DANCE HAMPTON ROADS PUTS ITS BEST FOOT FORWARD.

Virginia Ballet Theatre

Chrysler Hall, Sept. 27

This fall's ambitious VBT undertaking is an all-new production of Stravinsky's ``Firebird,'' choreographed by director Frank Bove and accompanied by the Virginia Symphony.

Odissi Dance Ensemble Of India

Ogden Hall, September 27

Trained extensively in dance, music, literature, language and philosophy, the five women of Odissi Dance perform a classical style combining divinity and humanity. Part of Hampton Arts Commission's Great Performers series.

Sydney Dance Company

Virginia Beach Pavilion Theater, November 8

Sydney Dance distills the proud Aussie spirit of exploration in ``Free Radicals,'' an inventive piece incorporating 13 dancers and three musicians in a bold melding of movement and rhythm.

Old Dominion University Ballet

Chrysler Hall, December 12-14

This year marks the 25th anniversary of ODU Ballet's ``The Nutcracker,'' a holiday tradition and favorite of all ages, directed by Istvan Ament.

Faustwork Mask Theatre

Ogden Hall, March 21

An adventure for the entire family, Faustwork Mask Theatre tills the artistic terrain between dance and theater, blossoming into a form somewhere between Mummenschanz and Marcel Marceau. In Hampton's Great Performers series.

Perks Dance Music Theater

Virginia Beach Pavilion Theater, May 9

Momix and Pilobolus veteran Rebecca Stenn brings her own troupe of dancers and musicians here to perform 15 short pieces for the Tidewater Performing Arts Society that showcase jaw-dropping illusionist dance technique and special scenic effects. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

THE SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY... KEYWORDS: ARTS CALENDAR

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