Duets bring an intimacy and physical chemistry to the stage that's unmatched by any other format - especially when the duet is danced by a real-time fairytale romance. Husband-and-wife duo Nicole Trerise White and Ethan White are former Smuin Ballet dancers and, according to Kimberley Wyatt of CBS's Live to Dance, they're magic together. Following Michael Smuin’s credo of making ballet more accessible, the Whites put a contemporary spin on all that deft footwork and impressively bendy extension. 

West Wave's devotion to beautifully-rendered dance has been a long-running local tradition and this installment gives stage time to duets by critically acclaimed choreographer Jean Isaacs, the playfully abstract layers of Somebodies Dance Theater, and quick shots of grace from local choreographer Mary Carbonara. 

September 12. ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street. Tickets are $18-22 at westwavedancefestival.org.