This week's dance shows include the last chance for Invertigo's dance/drama, the return of Rhapsody in Taps and Los Angeles Ballet's Swan Lake flying into Westwood.

5. Just winging it

Rhapsody In Taps’ artistic director Linda Sohl-Ellison and her rhythm tappers are accompanied by jazz and world music performed live in this 33rd annual concert. Guest artist Lane Alexander displays tap’s affinity for classical music, performing to Bach’s French and English Suites. Tickets at www.rhapsodyintaps.com. At Aratani Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., dwntwn.; Sat., Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., $25-$40. 213-680-3700, www.jaccc.org.

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Royal Ballet of Cambodia; Credit: Photo by Thomy Keat

Royal Ballet of Cambodia; Credit: Photo by Thomy Keat

4. Near-death dance experience

Classical dancers are not the usual target of genocide, but 30 years ago the Khmer Rouge regime systematically sought to extinguish classical dance and music associated with the Cambodian court. A generation of dancers and their teachers were victims of that country’s notorious “killing fields.” The arts were preserved in part because of dancers and teachers who had emigrated to the United States and who, after the Khmer Rouge’s defeat in 1979, helped nurture the resurgence of Khmer classical dance in Cambodia. In 2003, UNESCO designated the traditional dance form an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After a 13-year absence, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia returns with its ornate costumes and enticing, filigreed hand gestures. At Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach; Sat., Oct. 18, 8 p.m., $29-$49. 562-985-7000, www.carpenterarts.org.

3. Frisky dance from Frisco

ODC/Dance, one of San Francisco’s best contemporary companies, arrives with works from Brenda Way, KT Nelson and Kimi Okada, its trio of award-winning resident choreographers. At Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, El Sereno; Sat., Oct. 18, 8 p.m., $35-$45. 323-343-6600, www.luckmanarts.org.

Invertigo Dance Theatre and that blue trashbag dress; Credit: Photo by Joe Lambie

Invertigo Dance Theatre and that blue trashbag dress; Credit: Photo by Joe Lambie

2. Find out what happened

Last chance to catch Invertigo Dance Theatre’s compelling dance drama After It Happened. Nine dancers, two musicians and a raft of blue trash bags mourn the trauma and celebrate the resilience of a community grappling with their upended world following a natural disaster. Choreographer Laura Karlin takes a page from the percussive performance group Stomp to showcase the transformational theatrical possibilities of commonplace objects. Tickets at 424-229-2141 or www.invertigodance.org/aih. At Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. Thru Oct. 19, $27-$35, $20 students. 310-477-2055, www.odysseytheatre.com.

Los Angeles Ballet's Kenta Shimizu and Allyne Noelle in Swan Lake; Credit: Photo by Reed Hutchinson

Los Angeles Ballet's Kenta Shimizu and Allyne Noelle in Swan Lake; Credit: Photo by Reed Hutchinson

1. Good swan! Bad swan!

Launching its 2014-2015 season, Los Angeles Ballet reprises artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary’s elegant and romantic version of Swan Lake. Perhaps because they trusted the audience to appreciate the classic ballet, when it premiered in 2012 this Swan Lake sold out most of the performances, which made it a logical choice for this expanded four program season that promises to delight lovers of story ballets. With Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, LAB tackles the daunting task of performing all three full-length, Tchaikovsky-composed ballets during the season, plus a contemporary Directors Choice program with works by George Balanchine and Jiri Kylian. Continuing its commitment to bring great ballet to greater L.A., Swan Lake opened in the South Bay, moved to Northridge and after this week’s shows in Westwood, finishes in Glendale. Savor principal dancers Allynne Noelle and Allyssa Bross taking turns in the challenging dual role of the White Swan Odette and the Black Swan Odile and don’t miss the corps, whose ability to move as a single unit is one mark of a major professional ballet company. Video previews and tickets at www.losangelesballet.org or 310-998-7782. At UCLA Royce Hall, 340 Royce Dr., Wstwd.; Fri.-Sat., Oct. 17-18,, 7:30 p.m. Also at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sat., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; $31-$99, 20% discount students & seniors, 310-998-7782, www.losangelesballet.org.

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