George Balanchine famously declared that ballet was woman, but in the first edition of Kings of the Dance, four major international male danseurs were assembled in 2007 to wow audiences with what they could do unencumbered by those pesky females. Taking a page from bigger must be better, this time the producers announced eight major players from all over the ballet world for the second edition of Kings of the Dance. The final line-up of seven includes familiar names like American Ballet Theater's Jose Manuel Carreno, Marcelo Gomes and David Hallberg. Less familiar faces include New York City Ballet's Joaquin de Luz, National Ballet of Canada's Gullaume Cote, Denis Matvienko from Russia's Mikhailovsky Theatre, and Complexions' Desmond Richardson (pictured) who has long segued between the worlds of ballet and modern dance. The program is mostly solos with Nacho Duato's trio Remanso. The only reprise is Christopher Wheeldon's For Four with different dancers each night. Yes, it's mid-week; just think of it as the best ballet boys' night out.

Feb. 16-17, 7:30 p.m., 2010

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.