“Of an Era”

With “Of an Era,” its spring repertory program, the Houston Ballet focuses on a very important time in dance: today. The evening features three works by living choreographers, beginning with the somber Jardi Tancat, Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato’s work about farmers working desolate land, a narrative brought to life with Catalonian folk songs. The mood lightens with Christopher Wheeldon’s Carousel: A Dance, a ten-minute romantic whirlwind set to music from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. Dancing against the outline of a Ferris wheel, the paired dancers spin round and round in metaphorical movement. Stanton Welch’s classical work Nosotroscloses out the evening. Created specifically for the current HB company, Welch said he wanted Nosotrosto “capture their essence in dance”; you can just call it custom-made ballet. 7:30 p.m. May 28 and 30, and June 5 and 6; 2 p.m. May 31 and June 7. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org. $17 to $125.
Thu., May 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 30, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 31, 2 p.m.; Fri., June 5, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 7, 2 p.m., 2009