If dance is an unfamiliar medium to you, a company like Alexandra Beller/Dances, whose work is highly theatrical, is a perfect place to dive in. Words are often used in their dances to set the scene or reveal the disconnect between language and dance, and this is the case in their premiere of “Give up, or a bird lying on its back,” a work that reflects the impact that critics have on dancers, and the words dancers need to practice their art, like “marketing” and “funding.” In the second premiere, “milkdreams,” Beller conveys the dances of her children through movement alone. This week’s performances mark a very special occasion–Gowanus Art + Production‘s first year as an arts presenter in the gorgeous spaces it typically uses for private events–so you can expect Thursday and Friday night’s programs to be highly celebratory. On Thursday though, the evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and ends with an after party–words we all like to hear. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.