Whim W’Him
For its new production, Choreographic Shindig, the company founded by former Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Olivier Wevers put out an international call for choreographers—and received 95 applicants. The company members chose three (from Texas, San Francisco and Switzerland) et voilà, the contemporary ballet party begins. 9/11–9/19. Erickson Theater Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave.; 206.329.1050; whimwhim.org.

Kitten N’ Lou
Gender-bending duo Kitten N’ Lou bring their sparkly blend of burlesque, slapstick comedy and outrageous costumes to a new variety show, Overexposed, which finds the real-life couple pondering the regular old realities of married life. 9/17–9/19. Times and prices vary. Century Ballroom, West Hall, 915 E Pine St.; kittenandlou.com.

Sankai Juku
Are you butoh-curious? If you’ve always wondered about the Japanese dance form—with its bald heads, white body paint and painstakingly precise movement—you will have no finer an introduction than seeing Ushio Amagatsu’s world-renowned group. The North American premiere of Umusuna: Memories Before History involves sand pouring from the ceiling, corsets gored open and mouths agape. 10/1–10/3. Times and prices vary. Meany Hall, 4140 George Washington Lane NE; 206.543.4880; artsuw.org.

Pat Graney
One of Seattle’s true artistic treasures, Pat Graney never fails to think deeply about dance. For her new piece, Girl Gods, she explores female rage by way of physical frustration and mathematical choreography that resembles tantrums. At the work-in-progress showing of the piece last spring, viewers shifted from laughter to skin-prickling silence in an instant. 10/1–10/4. Times and prices vary. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St.; 206.217.9888; ontheboards.org.

Emily Johnson
When it comes to performance, Minneapolis-based artist Emily Johnson thinks holistically. Raised in Alaska and of Yup’ik descent, she creates dance that is often more installation than choreography, and reaches a wider audience than the dance-going regulars. In Seattle, her performances begin outside and progress to the stage, and will be paired with community volunteerism, readings by Native American authors and a feast. 10/15–10/17. Times and prices vary. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St.; 206.217.9888; ontheboards.org.

Akram Khan
This London-based choreographer has never performed in the Northwest before, but is well known elsewhere for his seamless blend of contemporary movement with classical Indian dance. His company makes its debut with the captivating new piece Kaash, a gloriously fluid exploration of black holes, tablas and Hindu gods. 11/12–11/14. Times and prices vary. Meany Hall, 4140 George Washington Lane NE; 206.543.4880; artsuw.org.

Maya Soto and Nico Tower
Local choreographer Maya Soto pairs with Seattle composer Nico Tower for a multi-media performance that combines spoken word, theater, video and contemporary dance—in spaaaaace! Called Inner Galactic, the piece spans sci-fi, Carl Sagan and matters of the human heart. 11/13–11/15. Times vary. $18–$20. Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave.; 206.325.8773; velocitydancecenter.org.