BalletX

Wed.-Sat., July 22-25, 8 p.m.; Sun., July 26, 2 p.m.; $30, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 215-546-7824, balletx.org.

by Deni Kasrel

dance

According to its co-founder, Christine Cox, BalletX can make a fan out of pretty much anyone. "I've sat next to men in the audience who were forced to go," she says, "And at the end they're like, 'I love this.'" The ensemble also plays well to balletomanes who crave injections of contemporary movement tinged with flashes of urban flair. BX's latest program includes a piece that melds hip-hop and classical ballet with a Bach violin solo, a playful gymnastic work performed to pop music, plus a fresh take on Bolero as conceived by former Pennsylvania Ballet principal dancer Jodie Gates. The Summer Series cast features several superb guest dancers from PAB, as well as Matthew Prescott, an in-demand freelancer who's heading elsewhere after this show's run. Catch him while you can.