Spooky season is officially upon us! While many dance companies prepare for the holiday season with festive shows like The Nutcracker, there’s still plenty of dancing to satisfy your ghoulish fever. 

Sink your teeth into Nashville Ballet’s spellbinding allure of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula with the elegance of George Balanchine’s Serenade for a double bill that transcends the ordinary. From October 3rd-6th at the Polk Theater, delve into a dark, passionate world as Dracula casts a spell with its tale of love, lust, and immortal yearning against a backdrop of Gothic mystery that pulses with passion and intrigue. In contrast, George Balanchine’s serene masterpiece Serenade is a testament to the beauty of classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s haunting Serenade for Strings in C3 played live by The Nashville Symphony. 

Hungry for more? Don’t miss Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of Hansel and Gretel from October 5th -12th at the Keller Auditorium. Choreographer Loughlan Prior’s striking black-and-white world bursts into vibrant color—and candy—when the siblings encounter a mysterious witch deep in the woods. This acclaimed ballet, set to an original score by Claire Cowan, masterfully blends a nostalgic silent-film aesthetic with a contemporary twist on the beloved fairy tale. Delivering just the right dose of October spookiness, this production captivates with its bold visuals and hauntingly beautiful performances, making it a must-see for ballet enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.

As the undead prepare to wake, Nashville Ballet returns with a world premiere of Día de los Muertos featuring choreography by Maria Konrad from October 17th — 20th. Día de los Muertos is a vibrant, poignant production that fuses the grace and precision of ballet with the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s beloved celebration of life and death. This ballet intertwines themes of remembrance, joy, and transformation, using the colorful symbols of the holiday, such as sugar skulls, marigolds, and ofrendas, to bring the dance to life. 

There’s more bloody ballet to be found in Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin’s 2024 horror film Abigail. After the seemingly innocent 12-year-old title character is kidnaped by a group of criminals, their masterful plan to hold her ransom — as the daughter of a powerful underworld figure —  unfolds when they learn of her bloodthirsty, vampiric form. To thicken the plot, young Abigail is a ballet dancer. With the guidance of choreographer Belinda Murphy, Abigail’s training informs her every move throughout the film: each leap, pirouette, and por de bras is a means of bloodshed and violence. Abigail is a unique cinematic experience, showcasing the simultaneous elegance and horror of ballet. A wonderful watch for cinephiles, horror buffs, and ballet lovers alike, this movie is perfect for the dance world’s eerie era.