OCTOBER DANCE FEST. Dance Alloy hosted “In Good Company” last weekend as part of Penn Avenue’s “First Friday” series. The “Company” aspect was led by several professional groups, including a sneak peak at Pearlann Porter’s whimsical work-in-progress for The Pillow Project, “Intimate Liasons,” a moving duet from Bodiography’s Maria Caruso,  two joyous African dances from Balafon and, of course, the Alloy dancers in a segment of “Table of Content.” In between, the welcome growth spurt in Pittsburgh dance became apparent with a group of students from Hill Dance Academy Theater and yet another rebirth of Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble. Perhaps the surprise of the evening was Gabriel Ash, graduate of CAPA who went to the University of the Arts and was a Las Vegas finalist for So You Think You Can Dance. He showed a fluid, modern technique in a trio for the pre-professional group, Evolve, and performed in an exciting and committed hip hop number with some of his students from NAKA (Nothing Against Kan Achieve) Entertainment. “Company”  provided a terrific lead into an extremely busy October month for dance in Pittsburgh. Check the CrossCurrent  listings for more information.
ANNIE. Broadway dance legend Ann Reinking will be choreographing the world premiere of a new musical at the Pittsburgh Playhouse for Point Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company. Called “Time After Time,” it will be directed by Gabriel Barre and will run Feb. 26 – Mar. 14.
CIRQUE-UMSTANCE. While attending my latest and eighth Cirque du Soleil production, “Alegria,” I recalled a performance of “Varekai” in 2006. I had just been invited to an encore performance when Attack Theatre’s Peter Kope called. On the spur of the moment, I asked Peter if he would like to go. We happened to get aisle seats near the stage and I joked that he should sit on the end because maybe they would pick him to have a clown encounter. Sure enough, that’s what happened. Of course, Peter was terrific and now he can list Cirque du Soleil on his resume.