Happy New Year to all you Movers and Shakers subscribers!

We're expecting 2008 to be Dance Houston's biggest and best year yet. It may come as a surprise, but according to a November article in the Houston Chronicle, the arts in Houston are thriving. In fact, the attendance for art events far outweighs the attendance for sporting events in our city!
Click here to read more good news in the full article.

We are also looking forward to collaborating with the new Executive Director of the Houston Arts Alliance, Jonathan Glus. He is excited to work with us, and is bringing lots of fresh ideas to the table.

What are you looking forward to in 2008? How about trying something new, having lots of fun, getting in better shape and meeting new people? We have updated the Dance Houston website to include more detailed information about dance classes offered at the various studios around town. Check it out and try something different this year!

Mark your calendars! Dance Houston's 2nd annual urban dance festival, the Winter Formal, is right around the corner. Join us at the Wortham Center January 26th for an elegant evening that celebrates the cultural heritage and artistic merit of hip hop culture.

Here's the low down on the participating companies and a sneak peek at the new works they'll be performing:

Putting a twist on that famous Dr. Seuss holiday story, Planet Funk will present a story-telling dance in which a grinch visits a small town to steal the residents' hip hop moves. Mario Jaramillo, who has toured internationally with Planet Funk and Fly Dance Company, will take on the role of the thieving grinch. FLY KiDS, winners of the Audience Pick Award at the 2007 Dance Houston City-Wide Festival, will be performing to music from Igor Stravinsky's ballet, Firebird. Although this piece is set to a classical work, the moves - by choreographers Rhonda Valencia and Kathy Wood - will be FLY KiDS' signature hip hop. We'll mix things up with internationally acclaimed ballroom dancers Kevin King and Patricia Kaniowski who will perform an entirely new work set to an R&B soundtrack. Revolve Dance Company will debut a contemporary dance piece to hip hop music. Marvelous Motion will wow the audience with their precise moves and intricate choreography, and hip hop company Ghost Crew will be making their debut.

Tickets are now available, so get yours today! This is the one chance you'll have all year to spend an evening in Houston's Theater District enjoying the dance that defines today's youth culture.

ABC is working on a four part series about Planet Funk Academy, and part one airs tonight! Tune in to Channel 13 January 7 at 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm to see this special broadcast.

The tango community in Houston is thriving, and the Bayou City is having a three day festival to celebrate!

January 25-27 the Rice University Student Union Center will be transformed into the Houston Tango Festival, featuring workshops taught by talented and innovative dancers from around the world and music provided by DJs and the Glovertango Orchestra. Saturday night features performances by instructors as well as a special Canyengue performance by Ernest Williams & Anna Karassik of Chicago. Sunday night includes a presentation on the history of tango music.

If you're interested in learning how to tango, or wish to experience just one aspect of the festival, a la carte registration is available. Discounted registration is also available until January 10. Sign up today to share the passion of the tango with this growing community at the Houston Tango Festival.

Click here to watch a video about the Houston Tango Festival.

This past weekend marked the start of the Jewish Community Center's 28th Dance Month at the Kaplan Theater.

January 4-6 celebrated Israeli Dance with Tirkedu Houston - a family friendly weekend featuring dinner, classes and a party. Dance Month continues this Saturday with Four in the Mix , presenting a variety of new works from four pre- professional companies from Houston Ballet II, Houston Dance Theatre, High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Uptown Dance Company. The following Saturday, Dancing With Our Stars honors talented dancers Ella Forel, Gay Ann Gustafson and Johnny Tanon as they dance to the music of The Maria Williams Band. Arrive early in the evening for a 45-minute ballroom dance lesson taught by Johnny Tanon. Saturday, January 26, the Nicholas Andre Dance Theater will perform works by Artistic Director Nick Seligson-Ross designed to present the conceptual and emotional aspects of modern dance to a wide audience, creating a greater understanding and appreciation for the art of dance. Dance Month concludes Sunday the 27th with Dancers in Motion. The Nicholas Andre Dance Theater will perform works that are interactive as well as family friendly.