Austin's April Dancers

As sure as the showers that fall from on high, April in Austin abounds in dance. The month's first half saw Ballet Austin debut The Graham Reynolds Project, Aztlan Dance offer On the Rocks, and the University of Texas' Dance Repertory Theatre present Bodies & Souls. Last weekend brought five more movement spectacles, with new work from Diverse Space Dance Theatre, Ballet East, and Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre. (See Jonelle Seitz's review of AADT's Lumen.) Two of those productions that just opened continue this week, so here are the basics, dance fans.

Arena

Sat., April 30 & Sun., May 1, 7:30pm; feast at 9pm
Fair Oaks Farm, 1001 Brownson, Driftwood
www.arenadrippingsprings.com
Choreographer Jennifer Sherburn takes her work to a new place – literally: a dressage riding arena in Driftwood. This site-specific work draws on the building's architecture, the area's history and people, and the landscape of the Hill Country, which is a backdrop to the show. Justin Sherburn provides a live score, and a family-style feast with a guest chef follows each show. For a recap by Wayne Alan Brenner, visit austinchronicle.com/daily/arts.

Passing It Forward

Thu. & Fri., April 28 & 29, 8pm; Sat., April 30, 2 & 8pm; Sun., May 1, 2pm
Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center, 701 W. Riverside
www.thelongcenter.org
Tapestry Artistic Director Acia Gray wonders, how do we get to the Dream from here? Can we reach a place of respect for race, culture, gender identity, and equal rights with all of the recycled racial tension and prejudice around us? With the spoken-word wizardry of Zell Miller III and diverse music from jazz to hip-hop to American classics, Gray and her multiform dancers move toward answers.