“Joyaux/Jewels” (chor. George Balanchine) Feb 22, 7:30pm, Feb 23, 3pm & Mar 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 at 7:30pm. George Balanchine’s “Jewels” is one of the classic gems that he created for his three beloved ballerinas at the New York City Ballet in 1967: Violette Verdy, Patricia McBride and Suzanne Farrell. Divided into three acts, it relates western dance history, in a subjective perspective... “Emeralds” reflects the majestic era of French Romantic ballet. “Rubies” pays tribute to America’s chorus lines and musical comedies. And, “Diamonds” evokes the heyday of Russia’s imperial ballet. This Paris Opera rendition is outfitted by none other than Christian Lacroix and boasts the talents of newly-crowned étoile Clairemarie Osta. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de l'Opéra, 1er, M° Opéra, tel: 08 92 69 78 68

“Air” (chor. Saburo Teshigawara) “Appartement” (chor. Mats Ek) Feb 26-28 7:30pm, Mar 7, 10, 12 & 14 at 7:30pm, Mar 8, 2:30pm & 8pm, Mar 9 & 13 , 3pm. Japanese dancemaker Saburo Teshigawara presents his modern creation “Air,” set to music by John Cage. Teshigawara has set himself apart from both the Butoh boom and the ultra-classical ballet scene in Tokyo, giving Japanese dance a new image. The second part of the program features Swedish choreographer, Mats Ek, a regular guest at the Palais Garnier, and his piece “Appartement,” which explores the “connection” or “disconnection” people have vis-à-vis their living spaces. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de l'Opéra, 1er, M° Opéra, tel: 08 92 69 78 68

“Document 3” (chor. Lynda Gaudreau/Compagnie de Brune) Mar 4, 5, 7 & 8 at 8:30pm. Considered the most European of North American contemporary dance choreographers, Montreal-based Lynda Gaudreau has been adopted in recent years by Belgium’s more intellectual clique of dancemakers, such as Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and her school PARTS, where she teaches regularly. The work Gaudreau will premiere at Les Abbesses is part three of an ongoing “encyclopedia” of movement, inspired by and including extracts of Diderot’s and Alembert’s “Encyclopédie.” “Document 3” deals with what happens in the time and space before and after movement.Théâtre de la Ville/Les Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 18e, M° Les Abbesses, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

“Multiplicité, Formes de silence et de vide” Mar 6-8 at 8pm, (chor. Nacho Duato/Compania Nacional de Danza) Three exceptional performances of “Multiplicité, Formes de silence et de vide,” a two-part work set to Bach’s music. The first consists of 13 sequences, as subtely diverse and structured as Bach’s music itself and performed by 10 dance couples. The second, set to a Toccato for organ, has a more unearthly, unorganized feel — with six men dancers clad in black robes roaming about mysteriously in a thick fog. Théâtre Musical de Paris-Châtelet, 1 pl du Châtelet, 1er, M° Châtelet, RER A-B Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 40 28 28 40

“La petite fille aux allumettes” (chor. Elizabeth Schmidt/Tendanse) Mar 8 & 15 at 3pm and 7pm, Mar 9, 12 & 16 at 3pm. Composer-musician Bernard Brechenmacher and choreographer Elizabeth Schmidt have been directing the now legendary dance space Danse Théâtre & Musique in the 11th arrondissement for 25 years, initiating several generations of children in theater arts, and producing one magical show after another that invariably appeals to all ages. As part of the celebrations planned during this anniversary year, they are presenting a new version of “La Petite Fille aux allumettes” based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale (but with a happier ending), with music by Franz Schubert and Bernard Brechenmacher. Espace Paris Plaine, 13 rue du Général-Guillaumat, 15e, M° Porte de Versailles or Porte de Vanves, tel: 01 42 50 47 47

“Sorry, do the tour!” (chor. Marco Berrettini) Mar 11-15, 8:30pm. Marco Berrettini (in spite of his name) was the German disco champion at age 15, and went on to study at the prestigious Folkwangschule in Essen and the London School of Contemporary Dance before working nine years with contemporary choreographer George Appaix. “Sorry, do the tour!” created for his new company Melk Prod. in 2001, recounts his “Saturday night fever” teenage reminiscences. Théâtre de la Ville/Les Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 18e, M° Les Abbesses, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

“noBody” (chor. Sasha Waltz/Schaubûhne am Lehniner Platz) Mar 19-22, 8:30pm. Back for a second run,“noBody” is the third part of German dancemaker Sasha Waltz’s triptych, which began with “Korper” and“S” both shown at the Théâtre de la Ville. Featured in the Papal Palace during the 2002 Avignon Festival, the work includes 25 dancers and is a commentary on death and the body’s disappearance, inspired by Michelangelo’s“Last Judgment” and the tragedy of Pompeï. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER A-B Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

“Foi” (chor. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui/Les Ballets C. de la B.) Mar 25-29, 8:30pm. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is the latest and youngest addition to the Belgian “boy band” of eccentric choreographers. His Morroccan origins undoubtedly inspire a predilection for the exotic and a quest for a new type of spectacle, which he calls “medieval-contemporary opera.” Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER A-B Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77

Compiled by Carol Pratl