CLUNKY THOUGH ITS acronym may be, there is nothing awkward about "Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week" (BACNDW), a yearly celebration of dance that's as varied as the Bay Area's population. The event is getting even better: this year's free classes, open rehearsals, lectures, and demos – some 200 of them – range from belly dance, hip-hop, aerial, fire, and jazz to African, Indian, Hawaiian, Chinese, and of course ballet and modern. Some other highlights not to be missed: "Izzie" night (Tues/26, 6 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, S.F.), also known as the Bay Area Dance Awards, which is no longer just a free party since this year the dancers will do more than talk – they'll perform; Spinning Yarns Dance Collective, which takes over Union Square (Sat/23, 2 p.m., Powell at O'Farrell, S.F.); Berkeley's "Earth Day Dance" in Civic Center Park (Sat/23, 12:15 to 1 p.m., MLK Jr. Way at Allston, Berk.); and CounterPulse opening its new studio to the improv community (Sat/23, 8 to 10 p.m., 1310 Mission, S.F.). Last year's super hit, the CIA (Choreographers in Action), returns with "24 Views," featuring two dozen dancers showcasing two-minute segments of works either in progress or already in rep (May 1, 7:30 p.m., ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F.). Witty and smartly produced, 2004's show was standing-room only. No doubt this year's will be too. Free. (415) 561-1433, www.bacndw.org. (Rita Felciano)