The art of dance in Central Ohio seems to especially blossom in the spring. Here are some events that are sure to get you moving. A more comprehensive listing is available at www.columbusdancecalendar.com.  

BalletMet, www.balletmet.org  
Carmina Burana, March 5-13 at Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St. Dwight Rhoden’s ballet explodes with power and passion. Inspired by the collection of 13th century medieval songs and poems written by monks, this riveting and sexual work is moving and dramatic.

“American Legends: Johnny, Sammy and Stevie,” April 23-May 1, Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St. This world premiere production spotlights the lyrical legacies of Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash and Sammy Davis, Jr. with a dynamic depiction of their songs on stage.

CAPA, www.capa.com  
Diavolo, 8 p.m., March 19, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Diavolo company members are dancers, gymnasts, actors and athletes under the guidance of artistic director/founder Jacques Heim. Everyday items such as doors, chairs and stairways provide the backdrop for dramatic movement.

DanceBrazil, 8 p.m., April 13, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. For more than 30 years, DanceBrazil has thrilled audiences throughout the world with its dazzling artistry inspired by the cultural tapestry of Brazil.

The Ohio State University, www.dance.osu.edu 
Department of Dance’s Master of Fine Arts Dance Exhibition, March 18-April 2, OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St. Featuring the thesis work of four students who explore the crossroads where technology and body meet.

Department of Dance Winter Concert, March 4-6, Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St.

Dance Downtown, May 7-8, Verne Riffe Center’s Capitol Theater, 77 S. High St. The OSU’s Department of Dance performs in the heart of the city for this annual event.

OSUDance Spring Concert, May 27-29, Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St.

Tap Happenings, www.jamjamproductions.org
March 3, 17, 31; April 14 and 28, The Shoebox, South Campus Gateway, 1568 N. High St. An opportunity for tap dancers throughout Central Ohio to meet, practice, choreograph and more.

Wexner Center for the Arts, www.wexarts.org  
Karas’ Miroku, 8 p.m., April 16, Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. This is the U.S. premiere of Japanese choreographer and solo dancer Saburo Teshigawara, who performs under the company name Karas. This rare performance unveils a panorama of images complementing Teshigawara’s abstracted movement.

Columbus Dance Theatre, www.coldancetheatre.org  
Dancing Alone, March 26-27, Fisher Theatre, 592 E. Main St. Featuring daring artists performing solo work.

Hands, April 2-3, Fisher Theatre, 592 E. Main St. Featuring work by Tim Veach, art work by Tony Rio, an original score by Korine Fujiwara and live music by Carpe Diem.

Women’s Dance Project, May 14-15, Fisher Theatre, 592 E. Main St. With live music by Carpe Diem, this show celebrates women choreographers and features local, national and international artists.

Otterbein College, www.otterbein.edu  
Department of Theatre and Dance’s Dance Concert 2010, March 4-7, Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. This production, titled “The Flip Side,” features artistic direction by Stella Hiatt-Kane.

Dublin Dance Center & Gymnastics, www.dublindance.com  
Repertory Performance, March 6, Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Rd.

Ensemble, Exhibition and Youth Co. Performance, May 14, Abbey Theatre, 5600 Post Rd. These pre-professional and recreational performing groups perform several times throughout the year.

Mini Performance, May 15-16, Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Rd. This performance is specifically designed for the youngest students, ages 3 and 4.

Hixon Dance Company, www.hixondance.com  
Airs and Dances II, April 16-18 & 23-24, Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St. A concert of all new dance choreographed by director Sarah Hixon. It will feature live music, including music by Bach, Schubert and a new commissioned score by local composer Jacob Reed.

XClaim, www.xclaimdance.com  
Red Lights Red Letter – Dances of Redemption, Aug. 6-8. This production will address the growing problem of human trafficking. More details will be available later.

Columbus Feis, www.columbusfeis.com
Aug. 7, Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Pkwy. The 30th annual Columbus Feis competition is held during the Dublin Irish Festival.

Reputation
Columbus dancers and groups have enjoyed much success and audience enthusiasm. Here are some recent local highlights:

• Adrienne Benz, a dancer with BalletMet, has been named by Dance Magazine as one of this year’s “25 to Watch,” an annual list of leading young dancers and choreographers, as well as new companies and trends in dance internationally. The list was published in the January 2010 issue. Benz, a New Jersey native who lives in Grandview Heights, is in her seventh season with BalletMet.

• In a study by industry publication Dance Teacher, a survey of 100 dance department chairs in the United States and Canada ranked Ohio State’s Department of Dance as the top-ranked graduate program and the second-ranked undergraduate program in North America.

• Radio City Rockette Anna Richardson learned how to dance at age 3 at the Straub Dance Center in Westerville.

• Legendary tap dancer/choreographer Maurice Hines added some clout to the Columbus dance scene when he was named artistic director of the Lincoln Theatre in 2008.

• BalletMet dancer/choreographer Jimmy Orrante has choreographed five world premieres for the troupe, including Revelry, Touch, Ad Infinitum, Emergence and The Great Gatsby.

• The Wexner Center has played host to several internationally-renowned dancer/choreographers, including the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Bebe Miller Company from New York City, Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company, Russia’s Mikhail Baryshnikov, Brazil’s Grupo Corpo and Emmy and Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp.

• OhioDance is headquartered in Columbus. It hosts numerous performances and workshops throughout the state, including its annual festival May 15 and 16 at Oberlin College. Visit www.ohiodance.org for more information.

• In May, the fourth annual Dance Compassion Project returns, featuring dancers from BalletMet and other Columbus organizations, as well as musicians, to raise awareness and money for HIV/AIDS education and programming.

• BalletMet is one of only a handful of dance organizations in the country that have been asked to perform (in 2004 and 2008) at New York City’s Joyce Theatre, the country’s premier dance presenter. The local company was hailed by The New York Times as “a mesmerizing tour de force.”