The award-winning Hungarian performance group Artus Company, under the artistic direction of Gábor Goda, brings its fusion of dance, physical theater and visual art to The Kitchen for the U.S. premiere of “Cain’s Hat.” There is already a lot of hype for this company; expect this to be one of the most talked about performances of the season. The Kitchen, 512 W 19th St. Tickets are $20/$16 for students and seniors at 212-255-5793, ex. 11 or kitchen.org. Oct. 20–23 at 8 p.m.
Whimsical and sublime, graceful and artfully clumsy, Monica Bill Barnes presents “The Happy Dance (or what started out ok),” in which she and a twin-like character portrayed by Tami Stronach find themselves swept up and away into a life of pomp and circumstance. Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, 131 E. 10th St. at Second Ave. Tickets are $15 or TDF at 212-674-8194 or danspaceproject.org. Oct. 21–24 at 8:30 p.m.
Koosil-Ja presents her new dance and mixed media project “deadmandancing EXCESS” created in collaboration with Geoff Matters (live video and sound), Liminal Projects, Omar Khan and Laura Garofalo (architecture), Akiko Sasamoto (performer) and Tara Webb (live video). The Performing Garage, 33 Wooster St. at Grand St. Tickets are $15 at 212- 375-0186. Oct. 14-17, 19-23 at 9 p.m.
Merián Soto Dance & Performance presents “La Máquina del Tiempo” (“The Time Machine”), an multi-media investigation of dance and music as conduits of cultural history. Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W 19th St. Tickets are $25 at 212-924-0077 or dtw.org. Oct. 20–23 and 27–30 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunhwa Chang presents “In-Yun: A Moment of Destiny,” four new works on a program with guest performances by Korean traditional drumming ensemble Da.de.rae.gi poongmul pae. Guest choreographer Diane McCarthy also presents a new group work “Aunt Rose,” which looks at how aging and death impact family relationships. Cunningham Studio, 55 Bethune St. at Washington St., 11th fl. Tickets are $20/$15 for students and seniors at 212-228-8891. Oct. 15 at 9 p.m., Oct. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m.
—Brian McCormick