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Guest dancer Francis Veyette (soloist of PA Ballet) and BalletX dancer Tara Keating rehearsing their Pas de deux from Helen Pickett’s new ballet UNION. Photo by Portia Jones

Ah, the ballet. There’s no better excuse to don something sophisticated and head to XIX for an old-fashioned cocktail than a night out at the ballet. And while I myself have never been a dancer, I must admit I enjoy the high cultural experience of it all “” the music, the costumes, the exquisite choreography, the multiplicity of interpretations”¦

I also, however, have a short attention span, and there’s nothing worse than dozing off during the long second act of Swan Lake. So of course, I was thrilled to learn about BalletX, an experimental ballet company whose season finale, the All-Female Choreographers Project, will feature three short ballets, each packed with enough whimsy and caprice to win over the most stodgy of viewers.

First up, renowned Dutch choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa makes her American debut with Still@Life, a light-hearted, baroque era piece inspired by still-life paintings. Says Lopez Ochoa, “”When I look at the great”¦paintings showing people in religious scenes, I often wonder what happens to these people right before and after that moment in time.” Her piece explores this phenomenon precisely, by way of Bach and von Wassenaer.

Next, it’s Helen Pickett of the Ballet Frankfurt, offering Union, an innovative take on deconstruction and rebuilding. She cites Brazilian artist Vik Muniz (known for creating duel replicas of the Mona Lisa made from peanut butter and jelly) as an experimental muse and features music from German composer Bernd Sippel.

Finally, BalletX artistic director and choreographer Christine Cox brings it all home with Numb Roads, a interpretative take on the single life, as told through Pablo Neruda‘s (one of my fave poets!) If you forget me. Her choice of soundtrack? None other than famed trip-hop trio Portishead. I seriously can not wait!

It all goes down this Wednesday through Sunday at the Wilma Theater. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students and seniors) and available at the box office.

BalletX at the Wilma Theater, July 23 through July 27
265. S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-893-9456
www.wilmatheater.org