Ellen Dunkel

One of the top tappers on the scene, Casel performed in a trio with piano player and composer Annastasia Victory and singer-songwriter Crystal Monee Hall.

Virtual ballet is starting to feel normal. Part of that is thanks to Pennsylvania Ballet, whose latest program is fairly close to a theatrical experience.

Rennie Harris choreographed “A Day in the Life in 1995” and has now reworked the piece for the Annenberg Center’s digital platform.

The ballet is back after a year on pandemic hiatus with an evening-length virtual program that feels like a return to the times before.

For choreographer Hope Boykin, pandemic shutdowns meant an abrupt retirement from dancing. “Redefine US, from the INside OUT” addresses that change and the emotions that went with it.

The Philadelphia company’s latest program of short dance film premieres, released Wednesday, tells three stories of transformation. It’s another gem.

The Paul Taylor dancers looked as wonderful as ever, fit, fluid, and fully rehearsed, even dancing full-out in masks.

The company explores a range of timely themes — civil rights, the social challenges of a pandemic, trying to find common ground — all in less than half an hour.

Barbara Weisberger was George Balanchine’s protégé, his first American student as a child, and founder of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

BalletX’s second digital program is very brief and very satisfying, with gems danced in lovely settings.

Downtime during the coronavirus pandemic “gave me an opportunity to think,” Brown said. “And also, it gave me an opportunity to talk with Kim about, ‘Are you ready to do this?’”

Kim Bears Bailey has been named the artistic director of Philadanco, replacing founder Joan Myers Brown in that role.

BalletX was among the first in Philly to cancel live performances. Their innovative 15th anniversary season will start on a virtual platform and return to the stage if possible.

McSwain, an appointee of President Donald Trump and the top federal prosecutor for the Philadelphia region, said that doesn’t pass legal muster, arguing that cultural parades may also be considered protected speech.

BalletX artistic director Christine Cox has not let coronavirus prevent her company, at 15, from leaping into the future.

When Angel Corella’s “La Bayadère” premieres Thursday night at the Academy of Music, it will have nips and tucks throughout, to remove stereotypes and make it more culturally authentic. He hopes the result will be an even more special “Bayadère.”

This spring’s dance scene brings us a number of intriguing world premieres from Philadelphia-based companies and some exciting work from visitors.

For audience members who might be nervous about how the company has fared since September 2018, when then-company dancer Michael Novak succeeded his late boss, reviews have been positive.

For 49 ballerinas of color, Philadelphia was the place to be seen by some of the top companies and schools Sunday. It was the last of five auditions as the International Association for Blacks in Dance wrapped up its conference.

Like a Christmas gift you can’t wait to unwrap, Phildanco’s full-length “Xmas Philes” debuted Thursday night at the Annenberg Center. It’s a very special addition to this season’s many holiday offerings.