The best of the season

Dance

CalArts Balinese Gamelan Grand Performances presents the local ensemble led by I Nyoman Wenten and Nanik Wenten. Dancers, adorned with elaborate golden costumes with headdresses and masks, move in intricate steps complementary to the music. California Plaza, L.A., Friday.

New York City Ballet In celebration of George Balanchine’s birth 100 years ago, the company performs some of his most innovative and remarkable ballets, such as “Jewels,” “Serenade,” “Stars and Stripes,” “Symphony in C” and “Stravinsky Violin Concerto.” The program also includes work by Peter Martins and Christopher Wheeldon. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall. Sept. 29-Oct. 3. Also, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Oct. 6-10 (different repertory).

Bale Folklorico da Bahia Brazilian folk dance troupe combines African, indigenous Brazilian and European influences. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, Sept. 30. Also, Alex Theatre, Oct. 1.

Tongue Choreographer Stephanie Gilliland’s company presents the Los Angeles premiere of a revised version of her “Tertium Quid.” Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

OCTOBER

Ay! Flamenco with Domingo Ortega and Company Spain’s Domingo Ortega dances “Orpheus,” the Greek myth of love and loss as Orpheus searches for Eurydice in the underworld. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Oct. 1-2.

Lyon Opera Ballet Works by William Forsythe, Russell Maliphant and Jiri Kylian. Royce Hall, UCLA, Oct. 1-2. Also, Campbell Hall, UCSB, Oct. 4-5.

Tango Pasion Argentine dance musical performed by 25 singers, dancers and musicians. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Oct. 8.

Traditional Dance and Music of Korea A cross-Pacific collaboration of Korean and Los Angeles-based traditional Korean dance groups. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Oct. 8.

Festival Ballet The company presents its fall concert of classical and contemporary pieces by a mixed bill of choreographers, including David Allan and Peter Pucci. Irvine Barclay Theatre, Oct. 10.

Gods, Goddesses and Ancestors: Masked Rituals of Kerala, India Dancers re-create the dramatic ancient ritual the “Theyyam,” or “God’s Dance.” A UCLA Live presentation. Royce Hall, UCLA, Oct. 22.

Rennie Harris Puremovement Dancer, choreographer and hip-hop historian Rennie Harris celebrates some of the visionary artists who helped invent and define hip-hop dance. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach, Oct. 22-23. Also, REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Nov. 3-7.

Garth Fagan Dance The troupe performs “Woza,” set to music by Lebo M -- one of the composers Fagan worked with on the stage version of “The Lion King” -- along with “Translation Transition” with music by the Jazz Jamaica All Stars and “DANCECOLLAGEFORROMIE,” a tribute to artist Romare Bearden. Ahmanson Theatre, Oct. 23-24.

State Street Ballet Premiere of a new production by artistic director Rodney Gustafson. Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, Oct. 23-24.

Ultima Vez Belgian choreographer Wim Vandekeybus’ company performs the L.A. premiere of “Blush,” a synthesis of live action, film and rock music. A UCLA Live presentation. Royce Hall, UCLA, Oct. 29-30.

NOVEMBER

Ballet Preljocaj French-born Albanian Angelin Preljocaj has collaborated with the French band Air for the new work “Near Life Experience,” presented by UCLA Live in its West Coast premiere. Royce Hall, UCLA, Nov. 12-13.

Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet San Francisco-based troupe dances “Before the Blues,” set to an original score by jazz composer Pharoah Sanders. Campbell Hall, UCSB, Nov. 16.

Diavolo Part sideshow spectacle, part physical dance theater, the Los Angeles-based ensemble brings seven kid-friendly pieces to the Freud Playhouse stage. A UCLA Live presentation. Freud Playhouse, Nov. 17-21.

The Whirling Dervishes of Damascus Sheikh Hamza Shakkur & the Al-Kindi Ensemble present the Sufi Liturgy of the Great Umayyad Mosque. A UCLA Live presentation. Royce Hall, UCLA, Nov. 20.

The Nutcracker Ballet Internationale of Indianapolis performs the holiday classic choreographed by artistic director and former Kirov dancer Eldar Aliev. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State Los Angeles, Nov. 26-27.

DECEMBER

The Nutcracker Presented by State Street Ballet. Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, Dec. 4-5.

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! Tchaikovsky’s music remains, but little else is the same as Bourne offers a new take on Clara’s journey. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, Dec. 7-12. Also presented by UCLA Live at Royce Hall, Dec. 15-Jan. 2.

The Nutcracker Presented by Orange County’s Ballet Pacifica. Irvine Barclay Theatre, Dec. 10-24.