WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The New York-based Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company will celebrate works by contemporary dance visionaries and showcase a wide-ranging spectrum of both American and international repertory Nov. 13 in Purdue Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse.

The 8 p.m. event is presented by Purdue Convocations and includes a pre-show discussion by a member of the Cedar Lake artistic staff, who will talk about the company’s history and the evening’s repertoire. The discussion will take place at 7 p.m. in the Stewart Center Gallery.

Since its founding in 2003, the New York-based Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company has distinguished itself through both its talented corps of 16 athletic dancers and its emphasis on acquiring and commissioning new works by the world’s most sought-after emerging choreographers.

Under the artistic direction of Benoit-Swan Pouffer, a celebrated dancer, choreographer and installation artist, Cedar Lake will take audiences on a bold and diverse choreographic journey in a program. The event features works by several distinct and important choreographers, including Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, and Didy Veldman.

Born and raised in Paris, Pouffer joined Cedar Lake as artistic director in 2005. His career began with study at the prestigious Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse, where he performed works by such renowned French choreographers as Claude Brumachon, Daniel Larrieu and Angelin Preljocaj. Pouffer’s distinguished career as a professional dancer includes a seven-year tenure with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, seasons with Philadanco, Donald Byrd/The Group and Complexions. He also has offered outreach programs in South Africa and master classes throughout Europe.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $19 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at 765-496-1977.

Initiated in 1902, Purdue Convocations is among the oldest collegiate professional performing arts presenters in the United States. Each year, Convocations offers the region 30 to 40 performances of widely varying genres: Broadway-style shows, theater, dance, children’s theater, world music, jazz, and chamber music, along with rock, pop, country and comedy attractions. With a vision for connecting artists and audiences in artistic dialogue and for drawing in academic discourse, Purdue Convocations aims to promote frequent exposure to and familiarity with human cultural expression in a multitude of forms and media.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Blending the classical dance forms of India with contemporary dance concepts, the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble will perform at Purdue Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse at 8 p.m. March 27.

The performance is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its World Stage series.

Regarded as one of the foremost dance companies of India, Nrityagram (NRIT-yuh-grahm) is based in a Bangalore gurukul – an artist colony where dancers devote themselves to a holistic, self-sufficient lifestyle.

A talk titled “Why Indian dance is new and old,” by Joan Erdman, professor of anthropology and cultural studies at Columbia College in Chicago, will precede the performance. Erdman will discuss innovation and creativity in India’s dance traditions. The talk will begin at 7 p.m. March 27 in Purdue Stewart Center, Room 311.

Regarded as one of the foremost dance companies of India, Nrityagram (NRIT-yuh-grahm) is based in a Bangalore gurukul – an artist colony where dancers devote themselves to a holistic, self-sufficient lifestyle that incorporates dance training and interdisciplinary courses in literature, philosophy and the arts as well as yoga, mime and meditation. These workshops inspire an understanding of the inter-relatedness of all arts and physical traditions, not only of India, but also of other countries, said Abby Eddy, director of marketing for Purdue Convocations.

The ensemble pursues many dance forms of India. Perhaps best known is the classical form Odissi, which is based upon the elaborate human forms carved on the walls of ancient temples and gives the illusion of sculpture coming to life, Eddy said.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $19 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at (765) 496-1977.