This is not the chamber music of yesteryear. It’s hard to imagine a more artfully fun-filled summer evening of collaboration than what Concert:Nova has orchestrated for its season four finale on July 6. Audiences will get to delight in an original dance performance set to live, world-class chamber music in an unexpected space: outside in the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Alice Bimel Courtyard, where sculptures round out the art-filled atmosphere.  

Just as modern dance is ever evolving, so too is Contemporary Dance Theater’s signature annual showcase for top area talent. CDT's program, formerly known as Choreographers Without Companies, has not only changed its name but also its requirements for choreographers submitting works for adjudication. No longer do they need to be free agents (i.e. without companies) — now it’s fine for them to have company affiliations. So a new name seemed in order: Area Choreographers Festival.  

Contemporary dance can be mysterious. It’s perhaps both a blessing and a hurdle of the form. One reason why audiences sometimes find modern dance challenging is because they’re afraid they won’t “get it.” By nature, it’s an abstract form, so sometimes just sitting back and letting what you see and feel wash over you works best.  

hat makes revealing personal anecdotes compelling? Perhaps it’s peeling back the layers of detail to get at the heart of emotions — if not situations — we can all identify with, with what’s human. By revealing plenty and walking cheerfully to comfort’s edge with TMI (too much information), the stand-up comedian/storyteller/singer-songwriter Kevin J. Thornton pretty much kept the audience in the palm of his hand during his sold-out opening performance of I Love You (We’re Fucked) on June 3.  

Issues of race and gender aren’t unfamiliar themes, but finding new ways to address these subjects isn’t always easy. Solo performer Maythinee Washington from Las Vegas brings forth a curious and rather introverted movement and pantomime-based performance piece with White Girl (presented at ArtWorks, 20 E. Central Parkway).  

When it comes to contemporary dance, New York City marks the obvious hot spot, but Chicago holds its own with many worthy emerging companies. Enter Chicago-based modern dance ensemble, The Seldoms. Founded in 2001, the rising star company delivers big, bold, full-bodied moves and, according to Time Out Chicago, a "whistle-clean aesthetic." Thanks to presenter Contemporary Dance Theater (CDT), you can catch The Seldoms performing their evening-length work here in Cincinnati.  

Cross-pollinating arts audiences is paramount in today's economically uncertain times. Case in point: Cincinnati Ballet and storied Cincinnati band Over the Rhine (both beloved cultural icons locally and beyond) will share the stage this weekend at the Aronoff Center for three performances designed to draw fans of each.  

Cross-pollinating arts audiences is paramount in today's economically uncertain times. Case in point: Cincinnati Ballet and storied Cincinnati band Over the Rhine (both beloved cultural icons locally and beyond) will share the stage this weekend at the Aronoff Center for three performances designed to draw fans of each. Six top-notch musicians will play with the duo during 'Infamous Love Songs.'  

It's big top time again! The animal-free circus of astounding humans, Cirque du Soleil brings another Grand Chapiteau (French for "big top") performance to Cincinnati, this time at Coney Island. There aren't animals, but there are plenty of bugs. The inimitable Montréal-based organization presents 'OVO,' featuring a host of insect characters performing feats daredevil and delightful through May 8.  

A real-life personal pilgrimage inspired Cincinnati-based modern dance ensemble MamLuft&Co. Dance's 'Homecoming,' presented Saturday. Last year, Founding Director Jeanne Mam-Luft, who was raised in America, journeyed to her native Cambodia — from which her immediate family had fled during the Khmer Rouge era — in the hopes of connecting with her roots and to feel a sense of greater belonging.