Georgian State Dance Company.

Definitely the most thrilling international folk dance troupe of the decade, the Georgian State Dance Company is making a grand tour of the U.S. The women are slow and sensual, and the men dance with tremendous gusto--sometimes on their toes. In the sword dance, they jump high into the air, whacking their swords against each other's until sparks fly, and then come crashing down on their knees. This is a giddy-making performance--and of course educational too. The 80-member troupe from Russia's Mediterranean neighbor is coming to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 6, and to about 65 other theaters across the country throughout the fall. See www.ticketmaster.com or www.auditoriumtheatre.org.