Who still remembers the excitement of last autumn, which seemed to be filled with a large number of visiting companies to explore, and companies which had been absent for far too long, La La La Human Steps being one of their number. And maybe we'll remember it as the last of the great Dance Umbrellas. As though we're paying for the overambition of last autumn, and the excesses of the Pina Bausch World Cities residency, this autumn seems to be playing it safe, with an emphasis on trusted favourites, which of course includes the mixed blessing that is the Place Prize.


Highlights


The Place Prize 4: Preview - 13 September, Semifinal - 22 September
The Place
Preview: www.theplace.org.uk/14094/whats-on/the-place-prize-preview-4.html
Semifinal: www.theplace.org.uk/14096/whats-on/the-place-prize-semifinal-4.html

One of the most exciting choreographic voices we've encountered, Goddard Nixon - Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon, formerly of Rambert Dance Company - are performing a "duet of fractured tenderness and mysterious camaraderie" in the final of the four nights. Created in collaboration with lighting designer Michael Hulls, you can expect amazing lighting design, amazing choreography and amazing dancing.

Please give them your votes. Goddard Nixon to win!


Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet: 11 - 13 October
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Cedar-Lake-Contemporary-Ballet

For some of us, our first introduction to Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet will have been in the film The Adjustment Bureau - which will have been reason enough to see the film! From that, we'll know that Cedar Lake is not a typical dance company, with a specific interest in installations and site-specific work, and highly technical dancers; this will be their long-overdue first visit to the UK, and they will be bringing a fascinating triple bill with works by Hofesh Shechter, Crystal Pite and Alexander Ekman - if you remember what Ekman created with cacti for NDT2, start imagining where he'll take the theme of rhythm for Cedar Lake....


Birmingham Royal Ballet, 'Opposites Attract': 23 - 24 October
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Birmingham-Royal-Ballet-Opposites-Attract-and-Autumn-Celebration
Video of Grösse Fuge: www.brb.org.uk/Grosse-2012.html

Every autumn, Birmingham Royal Ballet brings a modern triple bill and a classical programme to Sadler's Wells, often challenging our definitions of "modern" ballet, by programming works such as Ninette de Valois's not-quite-timeless Checkmate from 1937.

Opposites Attract features works by the extremely prolific and sought-after American choreographer Jessica Lang, a tribute by director David Bintley to jazz icon Dave Brubeck and a revival of Hans van Manen's unforgettable Grösse Fuge, which we last saw performed by Dutch National Ballet (cue Luke Jenning's review "Dude, you're so ripped".)

The Autumn Celebration! triple bill also looks intriguing, offering Broadway show choreographer Joe Layton's amusing take on the celebrities of the 1920s in The Grand Tour, David Bintley's Faster, inspired by the Olympic motto, ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’, and Frederick Ashton's The Dream, where all hangs on the puppyishness of Puck and the height of his jumps.


Viscera: 3 - 14 Nov
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/productions/viscera-by-liam-scarlett

As part of a triple bill with revivals of Christopher Wheeldon's Fool's Paradise and Wayne McGregor's Infra, Viscera is the UK premiere of Liam Scarlett's US choreographic debut, commissioned for Miami City Ballet and performed to great acclaim. It is an abstract ballet in three sections; expect choreographic gorgeousness.


Batsheva Ensemble: 19 - 21 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Batsheva-Ensemble-Deca-Dance

Batsheva Ensemble is the junior company of Batsheva Dance Company whose recent Edinburgh International Festival performances were met with pro-Palestinian protests, depriving them of the audiences they deserved.

Led by Ohad Naharin, one of of the more influential choreographers of today, whose works have been performed by many of the leading contemporary and ballet companies, this will be their first visit to the UK - and we can hope they receive a much warmer welcome. They will be performing Deca Dance, a medley of the most memorable and best-loved segments of Naharin’s creations from the last 20 years, set to an eclectic mix of music from Vivaldi to the Beach Boys. If you love Hofesh.....


Worthy Mentions


Michael Clark, 'New Work 2012': 17 - 27 October
Barbican
Tickets & details: www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=13338

Following residencies in the Tate Modern over the last two years, working with both trained and untrained dancers, the notorious enfant terrible of ballet - described by Sanjoy Roy as a "ballet punk" and "dance's rock'n'roll legend" in his essential step-by-step guide - returns to the Barbican with his first new work for the Barbican stage since 2009. Some will be delighted; others will look on in horror.


Dance United: 20 & 22 October
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/14275/whats-on/dance-united.html

Following his two-year residency in Hong Kong, Dam Van Huynh is Dance United's new associate artist, and this new programme features new work from him in addition to works by Kwesi Johnson, Carly Annable-Coop and Helen Linsell.


Swan Lake: 10, 13 & 25 October
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/productions/swan-lake-by-anthony-dowell

Strictly for the classical ballet fans, this is just a heads up to remind you that in light of Tamara Rojo's premature departure for English National Ballet, Carlos Acosta will be partnered by Natalia Osipova on these dates. Mutterings hope that this will be the start of a longer-term partnership between the two.