CUMBERLAND - Beginning at 8:00 tonight, the Atlanta Ballet will present its fourth of five productions of the season "Fusion: Lambarena & a World Premiere," which combines the works of three choreographers.

The show runs through the weekend at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets start at $20. To order, call the Ticketmaster arts line at (404) 817-8700, visit the Cobb Energy Centre Box Office or visit www.atlantaballet.com. Groups of 10 or more may call Atlanta Ballet group sales at (404) 873-5811, ext. 207.

"Fusion" audiences will be introduced to the world premiere of English choreographer Christopher Hampson's "The Rite of Spring," the company premiere of Val Caniparoli's "Lambarena," and company premiere of Helen Pickett's "Petal."

The evening begins with "Lambarena," a blending of traditional African rhythms and dance. "The Rite of Spring" is a remake of the original 1913 production that deals with rituals and "Petal" is described as a moving piece set to the music of Philip Glass from his "Les Enfants Terrible."

The Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, recently unveiled its 2011-12 season schedule titled "Here. Now. In Atlanta."

The ballet company and Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet are teaming up with legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp, a Tony Award and two-time Emmy winner, to create a new, full evening ballet called "The Twyla Tharp Project: A World Premiere," Feb. 10-19 at the Cobb Energy Centre and in Winnipeg next fall.

"We're really excited about the direction Atlanta Ballet is heading," executive director Arthur Jacobus said. "We're venturing outwards, creating a distinct artistic profile that celebrates athleticism and thrives on the frontier of new choreography today. We're moving towards a repertoire that will highlight the incredible talent and power of our company and our dancers."

The season will begin with the classic "The Four Seasons" by James Kudelka and coupled with "Eden/Eden" a contemporary production by Wayne McGregor Oct. 21-23 at the Cobb Energy Centre. Everybody's favorite, "The Nutcracker," will return Dec. 8-24 to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

Following "The Twyla Tharp Project," will be "Snow White," a one-hour family performance on Feb. 18 at the Cobb Energy Centre. March 23-25 will feature a mix repertoire including "Rush" by Christopher Wheeldon, "First Flash" by Jorma Elo, "If a Rose Falls" by Julia Adam. "Ignition: New Choreographic Voices" will once again conclude the season May 18-20 a The Alliance Stage at The Woodruff Arts Center.

"It's emotional, inspiring, kinetic and intellectually stirring - here, now, and most importantly, in Atlanta," said John McFall, Atlanta Ballet artistic director, of the season.