Ballet 5:8 brings its production of La Llorona to The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, in Elgin on Saturday, October 31 at 2p.m. Created by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director and Mexican American choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager, La Llorona takes one of the most recognizable legends in Mexican and Latin American culture and asks audiences to see María differently. Rather than presenting her simply as a monster or ghost, the ballet explores María as a mother experiencing profound grief, isolation, and mental health struggles, and asks what might have happened if her family and community had recognized her suffering and responded with compassion. The work was shaped in part by Rubio Slager’s own experience with postpartum depression. The Elgin performance takes place on Halloween afternoon, giving the production an especially timely connection to a legend that has been told across generations. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume. For more information, visit https://hemmens.org/tickets