Batsheva Dance Co.

Tue., Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., $38-$48, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900, pennpresents.org.

by Janet Anderson

Dance

Founded in 1964 with the help of dance pioneer Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild, Israel-based Batsheva Dance Co. gets its name from the baroness — and its moxie from Martha. Choreographically and politically fearless, artistic director Ohad Naharin developed his own movement theory, "Gaga," which asks dancers to simply respond to what they feel in their bodies without looking at other dancers — or in a mirror. They'll be performing the complicated, explosive Deca Dance, a montage of bits and pieces of many works spanning from 1992 to 2008. In Israel, Orthodox viewers have occasionally spit and walked out during this piece. "We do what we do out of love, out of passion, because we are crazy, not because we have a role or because we are supposed to lead anyone," Naharin says forcefully. "But through dance and art, we can show people that new solutions and new ideas can be better than old ideas and old solutions."

Tue., Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., $38-$48, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900, pennpresents.org.