NC tour A Canadian who lives in North Carolina, choreographer-on-the-rise Helen Simoneau is using her newest evening-length work, Caribou, to take a closer look at heritage, assimilation and identity. She studies these ideas through the iconic caribou—an enormously antlered animal beloved by our friends to the north. It seems like a good match: Simoneau’s work is both athletic and smooth, much like those graceful beasts. March 3–5, Hanesbrands Theatre, Winston-Salem; March 6, Charlotte Ballet; March 19, Charlotte Dance Festival. helensimoneau.com.
Passing the Torch Event
New York City and Lake Placid, NY What happens to a dance company’s identity when its sole choreographer steps down? Elisa Monte Dance’s 35th anniversary at City College Center for the Arts, March 2–5, will be both a tribute to Elisa Monte’s leadership and a preview of what’s to come.
She’ll premiere one final work before handing the reins at season’s end to current associate artistic director and former EMD dancer Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who has also created a piece for the program.