Pointe of Power

When you think of dancerly qualities, flexibility, poise and grace are usually at the top of the list. But dancers have to be crazy strong, too, and if power is sexy, then raw physical power is sexier. Just sayin'. To check out some incredibly toned, stunningly talented dancers, head to the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus (1 University Drive at Natural Bridge Road; 314-516-4949 or www.touhill.org). Complexions Contemporary Ballet performs there this weekend, bringing mucho muscle and mind-blowing movement to the stage as part of Dance St. Louis' season. Along with other dancers, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions' founders (and former Ailey members), bend, turn and jump in ways that don't seem humanly possible, and their athletic ballet with a diverse soundtrack (U2 to Bach, baby) will leave you breathless — and wanting more. Complexions performs at 8 p.m. Friday and at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday (November 6 and 7), and tickets cost $27 to $50.
Fri., Nov. 6; Sat., Nov. 7, 2009