Heart and soles

How about some Wild Sweet Love for your valentine? Maybe a sexy visit to Wunderland? Or something completely new and exciting that neither of you have experienced before?

That’s what the Sacramento Ballet has in store from Thrusday, February 13, through Sunday, February 16, at the Community Center Theater, with its triple bill of variations on the theme of love.

Choreographer Trey McIntyre (inspired by then-Sacramento Ballet company member Ilana Goldman) created Wild Sweet Love for the company. It premiered in March 2007 and has been repeated only once until now. The dance depicts the odyssey of one woman through the experience of love: from loneliness, to longing, to puppy love, to the final, full experience. Set to contemporary music from the likes of Lou Reed and Roberta Flack, the dance exploits both the athleticism and artistry of the company.

Wunderland, an erotic examination of a couple’s inability to connect, was choreographed by Edwaard Liang. Liang was born in Taiwan but raised in Marin County and became artistic director of BalletMet Columbus in Ohio in July 2013. The piece is among the company dancers’ favorites.

Also, Ma Cong, one of today’s hottest dance makers, recently spent two weeks with the local dancers creating a yet-to-be-titled new work that will have its world premiere here. It’s a precise and physical piece that emphasizes openness to life, energy and spirit.

Performances of the Valentine’s weekend program will be at 7:30 p.m. on February 13-15, and 2 p.m. on February 16, at the Community Center Theater, located at 1301 L Street. Tickets are $19-$70. For more information, call (916) 552-5800, or visit www.sacballet.org.

As a bonus, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, the ballet will present Red Hot Valentine!, featuring excerpts from Wild Sweet Love, in an in-studio event at the Ballet’s rehearsal space at 1631 K Street. Wine, cheese and dessert will be served. Tickets are $25.