DANCE Events This Week A SOUTHWEST NUTCRACKER. Tucson Convention Center. 260 S. Church Ave. The classic ballet features the Tucson Regional Ballet in performance on December 6-8, 7 p.m., Friday/Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday/Sunday at the Leo Rich Theater. Tickets cost $12 to $15. Call 321-1000. BOHEMIAN BOOGIE. Orts Space. 121 E. Seventh St. Drum circle and dance sphere takes place on the first Friday of the month from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your own instruments, drums and dancing feet. Open to all ages and skill levels. $5 is the requested contribution for adults; $1 for kids 16 and younger. IN THE SEASON. Ina Gittings Dance Theater. UA Campus north of McKale Ctr. UA Dance Ensemble's holiday celebration through contemporary ballet, jazz and tap takes place at 8 pm. on Thursday and Friday, December 5-6 and at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Tickets cost $9 to $12. Call 621-2604. SATURDAY CONTRA AND SQUARE DANCES. First Methodist Church Hall. 915 E. Fourth Street (at Park Avenue). Tucson Friends of Traditional Music hosts a dance with local callers and live string band music on the first and third Saturday of the month at 8 p.m. Newcomers get a free ticket to the next month's dance. Admission is $7 general, $6 TFTM members, $5 students. Call 293-3783 for details. STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY. PCC Black Box Theatre. 2202 W. Anklam Road. 206-6986. Nanette Robinson's Dance Ensemble class performs diverse pieces on Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. Free. Call 629-0237. SWING DANCE CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY. The club celebrates its 25th anniversary with its annual party on Saturday, December 7 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at 6245 E. Bellevue. General dancing is followed by a chicken or vegetarian dinner at 7:30 p.m. Dinner show begins at 8:30 p.m. followed by more general dancing. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Call 745-0255. THE NUTCRACKER. Berger Performing Arts Center. 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. A Time to Dance Studio presents the classic holiday ballet on Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8 at 2 p.m. (additional 4 p.m. show on Sunday). Tickets cost $7.50 in advance by calling 320-1566. Upcoming BALLET TUCSON'S THE NUTCRACKER. UA Centennial Hall. University of Arizona. Guest artists John Garder and Amanda McKerrow from American Ballet Theater and Gina Ribera and Matthew Carter perform the classic ballet on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $18 to $30. Call 621-3341. SECOND SATURDAY SWING DANCE. Quintessential Productions and MaryHelen Productions. 516 N. Fifth Ave. Beginner's lessons starts at 8 p.m. followed by swing and lindyhop dancing at 9 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Admission is $5 if dressed in theme and $6 otherwise. TCHETCHE. UA Crowder Hall. University of Arizona music building. 621-3341. From the Ivory Coast, the dance troupe showcases the power and energy of women in two performances on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30. Barbea Williams hosts a free Arts Encounter at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday and at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. Announcements ARGENTINE TANGO CLASS. Muse. 516 N. Fifth Ave. 903-0918. Club-style authentic Argentine Tango, as danced in Buenos Aires is taught by Judy y Jon on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for beginners and 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for intermediate/advanced students in room 106. Classes cost $10 per person and beginner classes are free for intermediate and advanced students. For information, call 907-2050. BALLROOM, COUNTRY, LATIN, SWING, HIP-HIP CLASSES. Group classes take place in three locations, Monday to Saturday. Call for prices and details at 250-7914. CAPOEIRA MANDINGA AND BERIM BRASIL CLASSES. Mestre Canguru, Arizona's first capoeira master, teaches ancient Brazilian martial art and dance classes at three locations: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at Living Community Center, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays at Zuzi! Move It Dance Lab from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays at UA Student Recreation Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Call for fees at 991-4149. DANCE FOR EVERYONE. Tucson Creative Dance Center. 3131 N. Cherry Ave. Claire Cocke teaches dance meeting the basic human need of joyful expression on Wednesdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call 327-7453 for information. FLAMENCO CLASSES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS. Flamenco y Mas. 41 N. Tucson Blvd. Classes starting now and continuing through May, 2003. Call 622-0440 for schedule and details. FUN SQUARES. Comanche Wells Mobile Home Park Community Room. 775 W. Roger Road. Plus level square dancers are invited to have a good time at Fun Squares every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Single ladies are especially welcome. For more information call 326-9284. LATIN AND SWING CLASSES. Silverado Steak House and Lounge. 6741 N. Thornydale Rd. 297-4422. Learn the steps on Tuesdays (Latin dance) and Wednesdays (swing dance) from 7 to 8 p.m. with Todd Paulus. $5 per person. LINE DANCING. Armory Senior Center. 220 S. Fifth Ave. 791-4865. Beginning lessons take place on Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. and intermediate/advance lessons from 3 to 6 p.m. For details, call 578-0100. MEXICAN FOLKLORICO DANCE CLASSES. Ballet Folklorico Tapatio Dance Studio. 2100 31 Street. 206-9296. Choreographer Sergio Valle teaches classes for all ages Mondays through Thursdays. Classes meet as follows: beginners Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m.; intermediate Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; advanced Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Cost is $25 per month for two classes per week. Call 206-9296 for further information. MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE CLASSES. Living Community Center. 330 E. Seventh St. 623-0913. Najat offers ongoing classes for beginning and intermediate students on Saturday mornings. For details call 529-0885. NIA DANCE CLASS. Muse. 516 N. Fifth Ave. 903-0918. An eclectic blend of dance, martial arts, yoga and movement integration techniques designed to condition the body and mind. Classes are on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Each class costs $8 with discounts for multiple sign-ups. Call Lynne Jenrow for details at 578-7973. SALSA DANCE LESSONS. Muse. 516 N. Fifth Ave. 903-0918. Community-based instruction specifically geared for beginners interested in learning foundational dance moves easily. Beginners meet Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Intermediates meet Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Students with valid school ID receive first lesson free. For details call 573-7701. SALSA LESSONS. Shall We Dance. 3146 E. Ft. Lowell Road. L. Perez offers salsa lessons every Tuesday from 8 to 9 p.m. for beginners and intermediates. The cost is $5 and newcomers can join at any time. Call 792-2067 for more information. SENIOR DANCE. Armory Senior Center. 220 S. Fifth Ave. 791-4865. Singer, drummer, DJ Bob Kay spins Big Band, 50s and 60s rock and country for couples and singles 50 and older. Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 20, Dec. 4 and 11, Jan. 8 and continuing each Wednesday. $2 admission. Call 883-5491 for information. SHAMANIC TRANCE AND DANCE. Orts Space. 121 E. Seventh St. Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m., use music and intuitive movement to expand the mind and calm the body. Suggested donation is $10. Call 954-2004. WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASSES. Orts Theater of Dance. 121 E. Seventh Street. Learn dances of Guinea and Mali. Live drumming by local musicians. Sundays at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $10 per class, $35 for 4 classes.