<p class="lead">NC tour A Canadian who lives in North Carolina, choreographer-on-the-rise Helen Simoneau is using her newest evening-length work, Caribou, to take a closer look at heritage, assimilation and identity. She studies these ideas through the iconic caribou—an enormously antlered animal beloved by our friends to the north. <!--more-->It seems like a good match: Simoneau’s work is both athletic and smooth, much like those graceful beasts. March 3–5, Hanesbrands Theatre, Winston-Salem; March 6, Charlotte Ballet; March 19, Charlotte Dance Festival. helensimoneau.com.</p>
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<h2><strong>Passing the Torch Event</strong></h2>
New York City and Lake Placid, NY What happens to a dance company’s identity when its sole choreographer steps down? Elisa Monte Dance’s 35th anniversary at City College Center for the Arts, March 2–5, will be both a tribute to Elisa Monte’s leadership and a preview of what’s to come.
<blockquote>The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European languages. It will be as simple as Occidental; in fact, it will be Occidental.<cite>Jordan Belford</cite></blockquote>
Their separate existence is a myth. For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable.

She’ll premiere one final work before handing the reins at season’s end to current associate artistic director and former EMD dancer Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who has also created a piece for the program.