Islington's famous Sadler's Wells has just announced its new Autumn programme, featuring many names that are currently selling-out summer shows at the same venue. Stretching the boundaries of modern and traditional dance performance has become a natural progression for Sadler's over the past few years, with several exciting and intriguing summer performances also still available.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

This ground-breaking dance company is not new to Sadler's, nor is it new to the stage - Alvin Ailey was a pioneering figure in the late 50s, mixing modern jazz and African dance at a time when segregation and racism was still rife in the U.S., a hard time often portrayed in the continuing work of this troupe. Their new programme includes 'Dancing Spirit', a fusion of Latin, Brazilian and American styles, the solo piece 'In/Side', 'Suite Otis' featuring a clutch of familiar Otis Redding songs set to dance, a tribute to the founder Alvin Ailey plus the joyful populist choreography-showcase, 'Revelations'. The series runs from 14th to 25th September and tickets cost from £10 (gallery) to £40 (front stalls).

Akram Khan Company

A real UK innovator, Akram Khan is due to collaborate with composer Nitin Sawhney on their piece 'Confluence' in July (tickets still available, see below), but he will bring his Dance Company back to Sadler's Wells in October from the 5th to the 9th with a new production entitled 'Vertical Road'. This full-length work draws from cultures right across the globe, including the Middle East and Asia, making for a spiritual production that reaches many boundaries. Tickets cost from £10 to £32.

Russell Maliphant

Award-winning choreographer Maliphant will appear with renowned dancer Sylvie Guillem and theatre-designer Robert Lepage at the end of July (£10 - £40 and still available), but returns in September for a very limited pair of performances on the 28th and 29th. His brand-new full-length piece is entitled 'After Light' and uses geometric imagery and animation, as well as moves previously seen during its early incarnation as a short 15-minute work. Erik Satie's beautiful 'Gnosiennes 1-4' provides the backdrop. Tickets cost £10 - £25.

Don't forget to catch other highlights such as Spanish flamenco maestro Paco Peña (29th June - 3rd July, £10 to £38) and the 50th anniversary of the Nederlands Dans Theater running from 6th to 10th July at £10 to £38. Please note there are two separate programmes for the latter.