Louise Lecavalier and Fou Glorieux Dance at Byham; MCG Jazz Hosts Savion Glover and Jack DeJohnette (Fri., 2/26/16)

1) Pittsburgh Dance Council brings to town the kinds of artists who are virtually unknown to everyone except avid modern-dance fans—and who are nonetheless capable of blowing audiences away, to the point where people leave feeling they’ve “discovered” an exciting new talent. Next up is Louise Lecavalier and her dance troupe Fou Glorieux. (Which Google Translate renders as “crazy glorious,” though “glorious fool” also would do.) Montreal-based Lecavalier isn’t exactly unknown. In addition to creating her own works, she has choreographed and danced with David Bowie and others. Her dancing is energetic and sensuous. In Pittsburgh, Lecavalier and Fou Gloriuex will perform one of their signature feature-length pieces, So Blue. 8 p.m. At the Byham Theater, 101 6^th St., Cultural District. (MV) THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS AND MAY NOT BE RESCHEDULED.

2) Not often does a jazz concert feature a dancer, but Savion Glover is special. Glover has been hailed for re-invigorating the art of tap, and he taps the way some people rap, laying down lightning-fast lines full of twists and surprises. In the improvised piece above—done on a tiny stage, with no room for broader dance moves—it’s as if he is playing a drum solo with his feet. Now imagine him paired with an actual drummer. MCG Jazz is bringing in Glover for a gig co-headlined by Jack DeJohnette, one of the great jazz percussionists and another highly inventive soloist. Both artists have wide-ranging creative talents. Glover won a 1996 Tony Award as choreographer of the Broadway musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, in which he also danced and acted. DeJohnette played with Miles Davis during Davis’s ventures into jazz fusion and has teamed with many other luminaries while evolving his own distinctive drumming style. The MCG Jazz concert includes DeJohnette’s ensemble and Glover’s fellow dancer Marshall Davis, Jr. To call it a hot ticket is an understatement. Two shows, 7 (Sold Out) and 9:30 p.m. Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, 1816 Metropolitan St., Manchester. (MV)

3) If you have ever watched the first five minutes of a Mad Men episode, then you have heard the music of Ramble Jon Krohn, who goes by RJD2. The hit AMC series begins with an instrumental version of “A Beautiful Mine.” The original version appears on Magnificent City, a studio album by rapper Aceyalone accompanied by RJD2, who produced the release. Krohn grew up not far from Pittsburgh—Columbus, Ohio—and has spent much of his professional life in Philadelphia. He has recorded under a variety of monikers: sometimes solo, sometimes with other musicians. But he’s arguably best known for his six studio albums as RJD2, including the upcoming Dame Fortune, available March 25. Pittsburghers have an early chance to hear the new songs, plus his back catalog, at Mr. Smalls. Many of his songs bridge electronica with instrumental hip-hop, like “Ghostwriter” from 2002’s Deadringer, his debut. He often invites guest vocalists, like the rapper Blueprint, onto his records as well. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM) 

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