Olive Dance Theatre’s ‘Brotherly Love’ Olive, formed in 2002 by Jamie Merwin, has just returned from a national tour with this show about the early MOVE confrontations in Philadelphia. Through hip-hop-inflected “breakin,'” the company’s dancers explore personal struggles with the questions and issues the radical movement evoked. Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the Painted Bride, 230 Vine St. (215-925-9914 www.paintedbride.org).

The Blind Faith Project The First Wave is a sensitive, witty treatment of the early-20th-century suffragist movement. The wit comes in the choreography, with its admixtures of American folk steps and modern dance to jazz and trip-hop music. Blind Faith also premieres The Chair Piece, an examination of the roles chairs play as we sit in different kinds at different life stages. Oct. 8 at the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St. (215-520-3538, [email protected]).

See The First Wave at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB4MkfIvoLs&feature=email

Gabrielle Revlock & Nicole Bindler, plus the Lawrence-Herchenroether Dance Company and Gregory Holt. Revlock and Bindler reprise their in-your-face I made this for you, a hellzapoppin’ commentary on judging dance. Hula hoops, crutches, nudity, yoga, making out, cute kids, balloons — the two throw in the whole nine yards to win the audience’s favor and a $10,000 prize, succeeding in at least one of those goals. Oct. 13 and 15 at the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St. (719-761-5489 or http://mascherdance.com).

‘Ties That Bind’ Work by Philadelphia choreographers Olive Prince, Jennifer Morley, and Nora Gibson. Gibson presents Phase II of Trinity Project, featuring three dancers (Gibson, Jessica Warchal-King, and Eiren Suman.) This phase is a collaboration with composer and sound artist Michael McDermott (Mikronesia) and lighting designer Clifford Greer Jr. Dec. 2-3 at the Painted Bride, 230 Vine St. (215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org).

See an excerpt from Trinity Project’s Phase I at http://vimeo.com/21538073.

Family Holiday Events

Pennsylvania Ballet Get those little girls’ frocks fluffed out and the boys’ oxfords shined! George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, a timeless holiday bonbon and the best excuse ever to dress up, returns to the Academy of Music Dec. 4-31. (215-893-1999, www.paballet.org).

… And another Brandywine Ballet’s handsome version of The Nutcracker runs Dec. 9-18 at Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, West Chester. (610-696-2711, [email protected]).

Eleone Dance Theatre presents the 20th anniversary of Carols in Color, retelling the Gospel according to St. Matthew by using contemporary music, exuberant dance, and powerful narration. Dec. 17-18, Kurtz Center at William Penn Charter School, 3000 West School House Lane. (267-235-0163 or 1-800-838-3006).

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