Home Grown Motion is a gathering of 120 local dancers and the community at Discovery Green Park on November 21 from 7 - 9pm. Dancers and dance groups will show their stuff in a free, impromptu festival where all are welcome. As is Dance Houston's signature style, the performance features hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and international dance. Show up early to join the performers in an open warm-up session.

Audience favorites from our last festival are performing alongside 15 companies brand new to the Dance Houston stage. The line-up is listed on our website, but we'll give you a few highlights here. From America's Best Dance Crew (Season 2), HIStory is breaking out their eye-popping b-boy moves. Rebekah French of Freneticore is delighting us with her whimsy and wit. And responding to audience demand, the Alfred Low Tap Ensemble will be stamping and stomping the latest in tap moves.

This free evening of art and entertainment from across Houston is a collaboration between Dance Houston, Fresh Arts Coalition, and Discovery Green. It is amping up an emerging program called Fresh Fridays--a monthly presentation by Fresh Arts Coalition at Discovery Green. Get in on the action or enjoy this organic festival from the green.

Free Dance Workshop Series at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Learn the latest dance moves from Dance Houston's top dancers while enriching your understanding of the human body. These free workshops teach the basics of latin and hip hop dancing as well as the science of dancing including anatomy, physiology, and physics. This fun experience is a great way to liven up your visit to the world-famous Body Worlds 2 exhibit.

Saturday, November 8 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Urban Landscapes
Hip Hop to Contemporary Jazz
Whether you've never tried hip hop or you'd like a refresher, this class offers the latest in hip hop styles. As seen on popular television shows, hip hop is a widely expressive form of dance embodying youth culture. From old school moves to the latest in popping and krumping, hip hop is a fun way to connect to the hit music of today and to each other. Learn the latest in Urban Landscapes. Led by Quincy Toliver of Urban Souls Dance Company

Saturday, November 29 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Tropical Grooves
An explosion of Latin Moves
Salsa, samba, meringue and more come to life in this fun Latin dance class. Shimmy and shake to the beats of the Latin world from Cuba to Brazil. This class will be enjoyed by all and no partnering is expected. Come with family, friends, or solo and be transported to a wild discothèque and a Caribbean beach resort through the movements of the dance. Led by Ingrid Menendez, Dance Houston Staff

See dance like you never have before on the big screen at the IMAX Theater. In conjunction with the Body Worlds 2 exhibit, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is hosting a series of presentations on the science of dancing. The first of four seminars is with our beloved Randall Flinn of Ad Deum Dance Company. While showing videos of his work, he will tell you not only about his creative process but also the science behind the magic of dance.

November 19th - 7:00 - 8:00pm
IMAX Theater
Randall Flinn of Ad Deum Dance Company
Free to Body Worlds exhibit participants

Freddie steps right out of the studio, towel in hand and pulls up a chair. After we exchange introductions, he shares the history of his dance career. "I've been dancing for 22 years and teaching for 17. I'm from an inner city neighborhood in Jersey City, N.J. I knew I wanted to dance after seeing movies like Footloose and Flashdance." He's performed for the world- renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company as well as other highly regarded companies. His main base of operations is Footprints Dance Company, a New Jersey-based modern dance company he established in 1990 along with Ray Tadio.

When asked about the transition from performer to instructor, he talks about the progression in his career. He began with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1987 and continued as a performer through 1990. Freddie then began a series of showcase performances on cruises throughout the Caribbean islands. This is where he polished his choreography arrangements while using the opportunity to mentor other dancers.

The program he's leading follows the Horton technique created by Lester Horton. It's a modern dance that follows the body's natural form and flow. According to Freddie, it allows dancers to perform without the high impact of traditional ballet. Horton's students included Carmen de Lavallade who subsequently enlisted Alvin Ailey. The birth of Ailey's company came out of those humble origins in 1958.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is in the middle of a 50th anniversary tour across the country. Each performance will provide audiences a chance to experience arrangements from their extensive repertoire. Freddie says the Houston audience will be treated to a collage of classic modern dance arrangements. "It will bring the heart of New York dance to Houston."

He meets artists in communities all over the country. One of those meetings was with Randall Flinn, the founder and artistic director of Ad Deum Dance Company. It's a contemporary dance company that fuses moving images and dramatic presentation.

Freddie is encouraged by the efforts of local dance companies like Ad Deum all around the country. He says the class he just ended made tremendous progress in a short period. He believes they improved three times over what he expected. "This is a talented group. Some of these dancers will wind up in New York dancing on Broadway. Some will stay in Houston to teach and perform."

Freddie's enthusiasm for his craft is powerful. It lights up his face with a smile as he rises to prepare for the next class. Houston's dance community has great things to look forward to with the likes of Freddie Moore to inspire future artists. Today, it's the ones eager to step out on the floor for the next lesson.