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Friday, March 29, 2024

A dancer sweeps around the stage in Callie Chapman’s politically charged “Left,” coming to Harvard Square’s Oberon on Sunday and Monday. (Photo: Khristophe Diaz)

The dance coming to Harvard Square’s Oberon this weekend is distinctly international in flavor, but it’s the trans-Atlantic troupe expandance with a work showing what happens when rock ’n’ roll meets yoga, while it’s Somerville’s Zoé Dance Company performing a piece about Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship. (Irish dance artist Ailish Claffey contributes a third piece “inspired by Ireland’s rugged beauty, unyielding land and the harsh realities that face its people.”)

“With the economy in a rut, it’s nice to know you can find art created to make you think, feel and see the beauty again,” the creators say, noting tickets for $25 or less and calling the night full of “ambitious and diverse dance works that will enliven your spirit.”

Zoé Dance describes choreographer Callie Chapman’s politically charged “Left” as a “thought-provoking and physically stunning new contemporary dance,” and there’s backup for the boast. Dance critic Iris Fanger called it some of the year’s best:

The Zoé Dance Company hit all the right moves with “Left” — a passionate response to the repression caused by dictatorships. This program is one reason to watch the talent bubbling up from the smaller dance companies.

It, expandance’s “Rock Om” and “Cnoic Chlaonta” by Claffey and expandance choreographer Alicia Chistofi-Walshe have two-and-a-half-hour performances at Oberon at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, with tickets going for $25 for table seats, $20 for general admission and $18 for students, seniors and Boston Dance Alliance members.

There’s also an hour-and-a-half free performance scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday giving people a chance to meet the dancers and choreographers, see improvised dance and nosh on wine and cheese. The location is to be announced.

For information about the Friday performance, e-mail Zoé Dance here. For information about the Sunday and Monday performances, or to buy tickets, click here.