Marc Bamuthi Joseph: Word Becomes Flesh
Joseph is known as a spoken-word poet, but he's also a gorgeous dancer. His solo show, at the Museum of Contemporary Art February 2–4, combines his talents. www.mcachicago.org, www.speakoutnow.org.

Richard Alston Dance Company
Alston is one of Great Britain's most popular choreographers. His deft, very contemporary work has recently been seen at the Lyric Opera in Midsummer Marriage—but these mixed-rep performances at the Dance Center on February 9–11 mark the premiere of his own company in the city. www.dancecenter.org, www.dlartists.com/ra.

Joffrey Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
The Joffrey will perform John Cranko's dramatic choreography to Prokofiev's masterful score February 15–26 at the Auditorium Theatre. www.auditoriumtheatre.org, www.joffrey.org.

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
This sexy version of the ballet with an all-male corps de ballet has been flapping around the globe since its London premiere in 1995. It will be playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre February 21–26—your chance to see it without paying for a plane ticket. www.broadwayinchicago.com, www.swanlaketour.com.

Quasar Dance Company
This company from the sunny, complicated land of Brazil is making its Midwest debut at the Dance Center February 23–25 with Choreography for Listening, which matches up traditional Brazilian music with postmodern dance. www.dancecenter.org, www.quasarciadedanca.com.br.

The Body Breaks: Butoh, break dancing and beyond
Artist-curator Nicole LeGette and venues Links Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center and the Spareroom will present a festival of performances, films and workshops during the entire month of March. Details are still being worked out, but it's worth taking note: Performers include Yumiko Yoshioka from Japan, Diego Piñon from Mexico, ex-Chicagoan Marianne Kim and Rodney Mason. www.linkshall.org, www.spareroomchicago.org, www.cityofchicago.org/culturalaffairs.

Luna Negra Dance Theater
Catch this evening of works by Cuban choreographers at the Dance Center March 2–5. The program features a world premiere by Maray Guiettez and a company premiere from Pedro Ruiz. www.dancecenter.org, www.lunanegra.org.

Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
Keeping the American jazz dance spirit alive is no problem for this energetic company, which performs its spring concert at the Harris March 3 and 4. www.giordanojazzdance.com, www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Antares Danza Contemporanea
Hermosillo, Mexico, is the home of this creative collective led by Miguel Mancillas. Its False Cognate will have its U.S. premiere at the Dance Center March 16–18. www.dancecenter.org, www.antaresdanza.com.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Spring Season
Program A, to be performed March 22–April 2, features audience favorites Petit Mort (KyliÁn) and Minus 16 (Naharin), as well as the new addition Strokes Through The Tail (Donlon). Program B, April 5–9, includes premieres The Manifests by Lauri Stallings and Julian Barnett's Float as well as Enemy in the Figure (Forsythe) and Sechs Tänze (KyliÁn). www.hubbardstreetdance.com, www.harristheaterchicago.org.

American Ballet Theatre
Arguably the country's leading ballet company, New York–based ABT visits the Civic Opera House to present a pricey gala evening of pas de deux on March 29, and then perform the swashbuckling ballet Le Corsaire March 30–April 2. www.civicoperahouse.com, www.abt.org.