First of all, check out the line up. We're combining your favorite companies from the past five years of Dance Houston with fresh new talent. Here's the line- up:

Featured in this year's program are Barbara King's Dance Company and Planet Funk, both returning to the stage for the 5th straight year of entertaining Dance Houston audiences. Barbara King's Dance Company will spice things up in Passions, a latin ballroom dance in which two men fight for the heart of the same woman. Inspired by the success of their recent film, Shawn Planet Funk is presenting a lively dance revue of classic movies.

Five local dance companies will be making their Dance Houston debut this year, so we'd like to take a moment to prep you about them. First off, Laura Uribe will be performing a highly anticipated flamenco solo. As the Director of the Spanish Institute of Dance, Laura has been collaborating with Flamenco masters Antonio Granjero and Melissa Cruz for over three years. Her deeply expressive solo will be the culmination of three years of intensive training.

We're also excited to welcome Revolve Dance Company to the show (pictured left). You've seen Revolve's Co- Artistic Directors Amy Cain and Dawn Dippel dance with Ad Deum Dance Company and Dominic Walsh Dance Theater. Now's your chance to see their Houston debut of a jazzy contemporary piece called Consequence of Sound.

We don't want to spoil all the suprises, so we'll end by telling you to tune into Fox 26 on Tuesday morning for a sneak peek at our rehearsals. And be sure to get your tickets before Wendesday night when our commercial will air multiple times during So You Think You Can Dance!

Be a part of the freshest hip hop crew in Houston! FLY KiDS have been entertaining big crowds this year and cleaning house at dance competitions across Texas. Now's your chance to join in their growing success!

Time:
2PM (until completed, allow 4 hours)
Date:
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Location:
Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex,
2201 Preston, Houston, TX 77003
(3 blocks East of Minute Maid Park at Hutchins and Preston)

Generally FLY KiDS members are 3rd-7th grades and FLY Crew members are 8th-12th grades although talent and maturity ultimately determine placement. More information at www.flyworks.org. Questions? Call Mike at 713-523-3709.

Phillip Chbeeb, a performer from Houston's own Marvelous Motion, has delved into an online competition to pay for his college expenses. You may recognize him from his appearance on "So You Think You Can Dance" earlier this season. He recently taught at Dance Houston's summer dance camp, and he plans on attending Loyola MaryMount University in L.A. to pursue his studies in Physics-Engineering. While there he plans to venture out into the dance world and possibly perform on a national level.

Over the years, his Dedicated and ambitious character has taken him from venue to venue showcasing his unique style of Popping. This time he's found himself seeking help from the Community. He is currently one of the top five contestants in a competition that is being held at www.famecast.com. there is a final live webcast performance that he will make on August 2nd in Austin. Once the show airs online, YOU have a chance to vote and support your favorite artist (Phillip!).

Voting is easy! Simply register on www.famecast.com and you will recieve a log-in name. There are different genres of artists ranging from pop and RnB singers to dance and animation artists. Once you have logged in, search and click on "Stage 10" which is the dance stage. Then search the five contestants and click on Pac-Man (Phillip Chbeeb's popping alias). Cast your vote here!

These couple minutes can mean the world to Phillip and his family. Whether you enjoy the art or just want to support his cause, we thank you for taking the time out to help!

For regularly updated videos of Phillip (PacMan) Chbeeb, visit www.youtube. com/pacman.

For their first performance outside of Texas, Psophonia Dance Company debuted at Carnegie Hall in Cincinnati for the Proctor & Gamble Annual Best of Beauty Award Show. They performed their tried and true audience favorites, The Pheonix and an except from Magazines and Beatcelts, aka the Mattress Piece.

While we're on the subject of Psophonia, Co-Artistic Director of the company Sophia Torrez was just accepted into the Leadership Houston's Flagship Program, Class of XXVI. This elite group of business leaders are people who are interested in leveraging relationships to affect a positive change for Houston. Ms. Torres will serve as an ambassador between the arts community to the business world as she hones her leadership skills.

Psophonia Dance Company will be debuting a new work at Dance Houston. It's called Technicolor, and it deals with the effects that technology has on mankind. Technicolor is an excerpt from their upcoming concert of Phantasia, coming to the Hobby Center in October.