Ballet 5:8, a female and minority-led premiere ballet company and the “suburb’s best kept dance secret” as praised by See Chicago Dance, will celebrate “National Hispanic Heritage Month” with two fall performances in Chicago and the launch of The Living Room Series packages to honor Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager’s Mexican American heritage. The first one-night-only program, Imagine Better, will take place October 15 at 7 p.m., at the historic Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture (2936 North Southport Avenue). Imagine Better is a breathtaking mixed bill with four original and diverse ballets featuring two world premieres by Julianna Rubio Slager and Matthew Rushing, Associate Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, alongside returning Ballet 5:8 fan favorites. Tiered tickets are on sale ranging from $15.00 to $60.00. The second one-day-only program, Ver la Música, Oír la Danza, will take place November 12 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 West 19th Street) highlighting works that amplify Rubio Slager’s voice as a groundbreaking Latina choreographer. Single tickets to both fall programs available at www.ballet58.org/performance-calendar.