Big Birth, Big Birthday

The dance community in St. Louis truly is that -- a community. For evidence, look no further than Dances of India's 35th anniversary celebration performance, The Birth of Nataraja. Not only will the company honor the Hindu "Lord of the Dance" with plenty of traditional Indian dance performances, including excerpts from its 2002 take on The Nutcracker, but other local dancers participate in the festivities as well. Diva La Tapper Taylor Pietz and Kristina Martinez of Viva Flamenco collaborate on a fusion piece with drummer Ram Lakshmanan, who plays the mridangam, and members of the Saint Louis Ballet company also step in at the evening shows to honor the landmark anniversary with special performances. The Birth of Nataraja is presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday (November 16 through 18) at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School (425 South Lindbergh Boulevard, Frontenac). Tickets cost $15 to $20 and are available by calling 314-534-1111 or visiting www.metrotix.com. Check out www.dancesofindiastlouis.org to learn more.
Nov. 16-18, 2012