As the U.S. occupation of Iraq prompts comparisons to the Vietnam War, consider some dance for thought from Vietnamese choreographer Ea Sola, who fled her homeland in 1974 at age 12.

"Drought and Rain, Vol. 2," a U.S. premiere coming to UNC-Chapel Hill for its only stateside performances, reflects on the Vietnam War through the eyes of a new generation. It features 12 dancers from the National Ballet of Vietnam performing a blend of traditional and contemporary dance, set to new music played by a traditional Vietnamese ensemble.

The Straits Times in Singapore called the 2005 work "forceful and vibrant from the start," noting the tone of anger and confusion conveyed by the young dancers.

"They interpreted their memory of war in the post-9/11 world by reflecting not on dead relatives but on the contemporary icons of that conflict: photographs of people whom international TV has variously depicted as 'American soldiers,' 'Muslim clerics' and 'terrorists,' " the Singapore critic wrote.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and at 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Memorial Hall. Tickets are $24-$50. Call 843-3333. To read a thoughtful essay on the piece by UNC doctoral student Rivka Eisner, who saw it in Vietnam, surf to danceseries.blogspot.com.