San Francisco Ballet
March 19-April 4, War Memorial Opera House

ONE OF THE best-kept secrets in town is the $10 standee tickets for the San Francisco Ballet. The sight lines are fabulous, the "regulars" (about as eclectic an assembly as you're likely to encounter) are real groupies, and, if you tire of standing, midweek performances almost always turn up some empty seats you're welcome to use. If you'd prefer a seat to begin with, and are a senior citizen or student, you can get substantially reduced day-of-performance tickets. SFB's dancing these days is fabulous, with the men receiving particular – though I am not sure how well deserved – accolades. Appropriately, since this is his centenary, the company's next two programs are dedicated to the works of George Balanchine. No question about it, he was the man in 20th-century dance. Maybe Merce Cunningham comes close in terms of sheer inventiveness, but even he still runs a distant second. SFB's program five, with Serenade, The Four Temperaments, and Apollo, features early Balanchine; program six includes Square Dance, Violin Concerto, and Who Cares? – works by the Balanchine who fell in love. Program five: Fri/19, March 25, 27, 30, and April 2, 8 p.m. (also March 27, 2 p.m.); Sun/21 and April 4, 2 p.m.; March 31, 7:30 p.m. Program six: Sat/20, Tues/23, March 26, April 1, and 3, 8 p.m. (also April 3, 2 p.m.); March 24, 7:30 p.m.; March 28, 2 p.m., 301 Van Ness, S.F. $8-$132. (415) 865-2000, www.sfballet.org. (Rita Felciano)