‘Still / Here’ in Dance Series

The Irvine Barclay Theatre will open its 1996-97 Feet First Contemporary Dance Series in October with four performances of Bill T. Jones’ controversial “Still/Here.”

The 2-year-old work, which incorporates videotaped interviews with people afflicted with AIDS and other terminal illnesses, generated fierce national debate after New Yorker dance critic Arlene Croce refused to see and review it, labeling it “victim art” that was beyond criticism. Many critics and audiences disagreed. In response to the controversy, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, during its Oct. 14-19 engagement, will present lectures and other activities related to the work.

The Parsons Dance Company, from New York, will return for the first time in two years with a mixed repertory program Jan. 21. David Parsons was a major dancer in the Paul Taylor Dance Company before founding his own troupe in 1987.

The Joe Goode Performance Group of San Francisco will dance the new “Maverick Strain,” a satire of the American cowboy myth, on March 13. “Maverick Strain” is a collaboration between Goode, visual artist Nayland Blake and composer Beth Custer.

The series will end May 7 with a mixed repertory program by Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.

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FEET FIRST

The Irvine Barclay Theatre’s contemporary dance series:

* Oct. 14-19: The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

* Jan. 21: The Parsons Dance Company.

* March 13: The Joe Goode Performance Group.

* May 7: Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.

All performances will be at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, and will start at 8 p.m. Series tickets: $95. Single ticket prices will be announced later. (714) 854-4646.