8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Reynolds Theater

The lowdown: Brown explores African-American cultural identity, history and spirituality with a lively blend of modern dance, ballet, hip-hop and traditional African-American styles. An alumnus of José Limón's company, Doug Varone is known for impeccable technique and the ability to express complex emotions through the body. Opera and theater companies have hired him to enhance their productions. Cleo Parker Robinson spent her life encouraging people to watch, and to try, dancing. Her 38-year-old ensemble continues that mission.

What you'll see: From Ronald K. Brown: "For You," his 2003 solo tribute to the late Stephanie Reinhart, ADF's co-director; and the first section of 2001's "Walking Out the Dark," about the inability to reach out to someone in need. From Varone: "Home" (1988), about sharing a life, and "Lux" (2006), set to Philip Glass' "The Light." From the Robinson ensemble: a reconstruction of Donald McKayle's "Games" (1951), about urban youngsters.

Online: www.evidencedance.com and www.dougvaroneanddancers.org and www.cleoparkerdance.org.

Meredith Monk, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company

8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Page Auditorium

The lowdown: Dubbed the "high priestess of enchantment," avant-garde artist Monk has a long and wide-ranging multimedia résumé, including film, opera, music, theater, dance and site-specific performance art. Jones weaves his dances from natural movement, classical ballet, modern dance and theater, embracing dancers of all sizes, shapes and ethnicities.

What you'll see: Monk performing the solo from her 1972 opera "Education of the Girlchild." Also, the ADF-commissioned premiere of a new and thematically different version of Jones' 2005 "Another Evening," this time titled "Another Evening: Serenade/The Proposition" and featuring a film by Janet Wong and an original score by Christopher Lancaster.

Online: www.meredithmonk.org and www.billtjones.org.