Just the mention of Swan Lake conjures images of grand classical ballet. Its enduring popularity ensures its place among the most performed ballets worldwide. This weekend at the Aronoff Center, Cincinnati Ballet and Columbus’s BalletMet team up for a powerhouse production: a combined cast of over 50 professional dancers, with lead roles danced by Cincinnati Ballet. Enjoy the enhanced emotion of Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful score played by Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra. $25-$80. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.  

Dance is never better than when paired with live music. Starting its season, Cincinnati Ballet's 'New Works' opening-night Thursday marked the sole performance featuring live musical accompaniment from popular local artists for three of five local choreographers' works (plus one cool Italian native).   

Current times call for convergence: of collaborations, of community, especially local community. For the first time, Cincinnati Ballet's annual repertory showcase 'New Works' focuses on homegrown talent to provide fresh choreography and music. We're encouraged to buy local, so why not tap in-town talent?   

For the first time, Cincinnati Ballet’s annual repertory showcase New Works focuses on homegrown talent to provide fresh choreography and music. Four of the five works on the bill come from local choreographers and are set to local music. An opening night fundraiser performance brings bonuses: musical acts Jake Speed & The Freddies, Over the Rhine and Peter Adams will perform live to accompany the dancers. Through Sept. 20 at the Aronoff's Jarson Kaplan Studio.  

Even with President Obama's "stimulus" plan and package, there's still much to be desired in terms of arts funding. But there's some good news as well: The Contemporary Dance Theater has landed a respectable sum from the NEA Arts Recovery and Recruitment grant program. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Ballet gears up for a stellar and diversified season.  

Bizet’s sultry Carmen ranks among the most popular, well-known operas for good reasons. Hummable, memorable melodies? Yes. Exotic historical setting? Check. Temperamental, brazen temptress? Indeed. Few operatic characters are as dangerously sensual as the brassy, sassy Spanish gypsy Carmen. Cincinnati Ballet dancers will join the production to add a little spice. And the winner of Opera Idol will be announced. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 3 p.m. Sunday. At Music Hall.  

There’s much to say about legendary modern dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham, but above all, he’s a well-rounded, thoroughly modern guy. The Carl Solway Gallery is hosting A Tribute to Merce Cunningham in His 90th Year, a smallish but worthy assembly of Cunningham’s drawings, photos of the artist and in-depth documentaries shown on flat screens. The exhibit is on view through Aug. 15.  

There's much to say about legendary modern dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham, but above all he's a well-rounded, thoroughly modern guy. Carl Solway Gallery is hosting 'A Tribute to Merce Cunningham in His 90th Year,' a smallish but worthy assembly of Cunningham's drawings, photos of the artist and in-depth documentaries shown on flat screens.   

Previously, early June meant possible concern that the recent Cincy Fringe Festival might overshadow (if not overlap, as in the past) Contemporary Dance Theater's always-anticipated annual "Choreographers Without Companies," a selective showcase of top new dance works. But this year the program features busy artists who also performed in popular Fringe shows. 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at the Aronoff Center.  

I didn't expect to say this, but the primary reason to see jan street dance theatre's 'Bibliography of Love' isn't the dancing but the spoken word. Three men and two women present innumerable vignettes on the topics of love, gender and relationships, blending a few present-day scenarios into their historical love letter and poetry recitations.