SATURDAY & SUNDAY

In the postmodern era, the choreographer tends to get the glory. Unfortunate side effects of this phenomenon are that we no longer make celebrities of our great dancers and the great question of the line between the dancer and the dance loses much of its resonance. When Risa Steinberg dances, there is no line. There is no middle ground. There is no question. When she dances, her barely 5-foot-frame grows to unexpected dimensions, filling the space with her stunning grace and power. “A Celebration of Dance,” showcases Steinberg’s ability as a soloist and presents works by modern dance pioneers such as Isadora Duncan and Doris Humphrey alongside the work of contemporary choreographers. A longtime member of the Jose Limon company, Steinberg fully absorbed his philosophy of articulating emotions and ideas through movement simply, as one would through conversation. Her rendition of Limon’s “A Choreographic Offering” won’t be danced in the dumbed-down, breathy, milquetoast fashion his style is too often misunderstood to be, but with the passion and dynamism he intended. She will also perform Anna Sokolow’s 1948 work “Kaddish,” a moving exploration of grief based on the Jewish prayer of mourning. Contrasting this piece will be “Blood/the last industrial,” set to music by the Modern Lovers and choreographed specifically for her by Wally Cardona, a former member of the Ralph Lemon company as well as her student for several years at the Juilliard School. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NE. $12. (202) 269-1600. (Holly Bass)