New York Notebook

Latino Fest

Ballet Hispanico plans a smashing 40th anniversary season that stretches the geographical concept of “hispanico.” Spread out over three programs are world premieres by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (from Spain) and Maray Gutierrez (from Cuba); revivals of works by choreographers no longer with us—Talley Beatty (African American) and Christopher Gillis (from Canada); and recent favorites like Nací, Andrea Miller’s evocative piece based on Sephardic culture. A special treat on opening night will be ABT star Herman Cornejo (from Argentina) dancing a solo of his own making, Tango y Yo. Nov. 30–Dec. 12, at the Joyce. See www.joyce.org. —Wendy Perron

Magical Mystical Tour

Lincoln Center unveils a new series, the White Light Festival, which focuses on spiritual expression as evoked by music of various cultures. The sole dance entry is Sutra, by Belgian/Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, whose movement is as fluid as a river with many tributaries. Inspired by the time he spent at an ancient Shaolin temple in China’s Henan Province, Cherkaoui brings the athletic dynamism of 17 monks to the stage. Nov. 2–4. The set, designed by British artist Antony Gormley, and the music, by 
Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, add to the multicultural theme. See www.lincolncenter.org. —Debbie Schneider

A Door Opening

A few years ago the NY Choreographic Institute raised hackles because it proclaimed that choreography could not be taught. Whether or not you agree, the institute does provide a laboratory for choreographers, one of the few without strings attached (the budding dancemakers do not have to produce a performance). Affiliated with New York City Ballet, the NYCI does specify that people work in the ballet idiom. To celebrate its 10th year, the institute, breaking its own privacy rule, invites the public to view works in process. The chosen choreographers include Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky (natch) plus more daring choices like Larry Keigwin, Jessica Lang, and Germany’s wild man, Marco Goecke. Miller Theatre at Columbia University, Nov. 5 & 6. www.nycballet.com/nyci/about.html. —W. P.

Ballet Hispanico’s Jessica Batten and Min-Tzu Li in
Naci. Photo by Cheryl Mann, Courtesy BH.