Splendid China IV Featuring the Shanghai Dance Company October 9 and 10, 2009 Miller Outdoor Theater

Dance of Asian America, a Houston-based nonprofit organization with an esteemed local company dedicated to promoting and preserving the cultures of China through dance, presents Splendid China IV performed by China's #1 dance companies the Shanghai Dance Company at the Miller Outdoor Theatre on October 9th and 10, 2009.

In Splendid China IV, Shanghai Dance Company will present seven of its most recent award winning choreographies from China. Pack your suitcase and get ready to travel back in time to experience the different cultural regions of China including Tibet, Xing Jiang, and Yunnan. "Flying Dragon and Soaring Phoenix," 2009 China's National Dance Silver Medal winner, guarantees you are in for a wild ride. Don't get too comfortable people "Crane in the Pond" and "Standing by the Water" are titles that may imply slow and meditative, this company is well known for its extraordinary acrobatic choreography! With recent tours to France, Peru, Belgium, Netherlands, Columbia, Finland, Japan, Argentina, Chili, Germany, Singapore, and Thailand, this company is well prepared to dazzle Houston.

An added treat will be performances by Dance of Asian America, as they dance six award-winning choreographies from famous artists in China. Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, because we are traveling to China on a flying dragon in warp speed.

Richard Alston Dance Company Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 - 8 p.m. Wortham Center's Cullen Theater Dance Series

Called "the finest choreographer the British modern- dance scene has ever known" by The New York Times, Richard Alston brings his company to Houston for the first time.

Alston's choreography is distinguished by an intrinsic musical sensibility and a love for formal balance. Some have said that the movement he creates is lyrical and speedy; steps flow in complex and close dialogue with the music creating a constant interplay between musical impulse and choreographic invention.

Alston's Dance Company has grown into one of Britain's most avidly followed contemporary companies. As Britain's largest independent company, it offers a unique combination of the innovative and the entertaining.

For tickets or more information call 713-227-4SPA or visit www.spahouston.org. Price range is $20-$50. Mention you are with Dance Houston when purchasing your tickets and recieve a discount!

Morgan Thorson Heaven Oct. 16 & 17, 2009 - 8pm DiverseWorks

DiverseWorks premiers Heaven, a collaboration between rising choreographer Morgan Thorson and musicians Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Rogers of the indie band Low. Heaven Integrates live music and vocal work into dance, Heaven is considers each of its participants equally in solo, duet and choral arrangements to evoke an emotional and physical ecstasy more commonly associated with religious practice. Through intense research Thorson manages to convey ecstatic transformation in religious forms, rituals and methodologies. While extreme restriction is transformed into powerful kinesthetic expression, believers and non-believers, dance-enthusiasts and live music-lovers will experience HEAVEN's acute force of attraction. Heaven works to create sublime revelations for all-audience members, dancers, believers, non-believers, dance enthusiasts and music lovers.

DiverseWorks is featuring a PAY WHAT YOU WANT for the 2009 -2010 season! Visit www.diverseworks.org and learn more about this special offer!

Hope Stone October 23 & 24, 2009 8PM Wortham Theatre Center, Cullen Stage

Hope Stone Dance Company under the direction of Artistic Director Jane Weiner will present the world premiere Village of Waltz on October 23 & 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m. on the Cullen Stage at the Wortham Theater Center Downtown. Village of Waltz, an exquisite evening length dance and performance piece, is choreographed by Jane Weiner and set to live music. The piece takes the audience from the linear walk of life, the back and forth and back and forth, and directs the motion into a circular and cyclical pattern. Village of Waltz presents itself into another time and place: It examines time and the cycle of time while attempting to reconcile the enjoyment of life. Looking at the circular pattern time takes, it is a study that shows time has complete contentment in producing itself: time.

The work is set completely to the live compositions of Peter Jones. Jones's musical creations are based upon his many years of work as pianist, composer, teacher, and performer in the field of modern dance. The music is a blending of innovative rhythms with open and inventive harmonic progressions. Also performing with the company will be guest soprano Ana Trevino-Godfrey, adding her vocal talents while musicians Chris Howard, Terrance Karn and Noel Martin complete the musical ensemble.