Back to Listing *WEEKEND OF TEXAS CONTEMPORARY DANCE Start Date: 9/21/2007 Start Time: 8:00 PM End Date: 9/22/2007 End Time:   Revolve Dance Company(left) & Ad Deum Dance Company(right) © Bill Olive 2007 A Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance, now in its 13th year, presents a snapshot of the contemporary dance scene in Houston featuring new work and revivals of recent work.  This artistic sampler features a range of choreographic styles set to music that ranges from classical to experimental.  The annual weekend includes a special family matinee, Dance around the World, on Saturday, September 22 at11 a.m.  The 50-minute matinee introduces families to the classical and contemporary dances of various cultures.  Participating companies include Ad Deum Dance Company, HaviKoro, Hope Stone Dance Company, University of Houston ENSEMBLE, San Jacinto Community College South/Community Dance Collective, Revolve Dance Company, Travesty Dance Group. The work of Austin based independent choreographer Leslie Dworkin is also featured on the evening bill. Produced by Dance Source Houston Hopestone Dance(left)  & Travesty Dance Group(right) © Bill Olive 2007 The Performance Program/Friday & Saturday evening, 8 PM Ad Deum Dance Company presents Reconcile My Heart, choreographed by the company’s Artistic Director Randall Flinn, includes a technically breathtaking duet followed by a section performed by six dancers. Set to music by Sir Elton John, the duet is an emotionally engaging work that offers images and symbols which delve deep into a heart longing for restoration, healing and meaning in relationships. Independent choreographer Leslie Dworkin of Austin presents her duet, Sanctuary, which premiered earlier this year at the Joyce SoHo in New York City.  Using Dworkin’s Butoh-inspired choreography, Dworkin and a dancer make connections in this hypnotic and beautiful work creating a shared movement language.  The original sound score by the choreographer and Kent De Spain will feature live music performed by percussionist Owen Weaver and the duo The Just Desserts; Michael Shay on cello and Lisa Shawley on accordion.  Havikoro, a high-energy hip hop troupe is composed of some former members of FLY Dance Company.  They bring their work for five performers, Swing House, to the Miller Outdoor Theatre stage.  Company member Mario Jaramillo describes the piece as the fight between good and evil and the effort of trying to balance the two to keep sanity.     Choreographer Jane Weiner presents a preview of excerpts from her new work, See Me, for her company, Hope Stone Dance Company.  Featured is a duet for Lindsey McGill and Joe Modlin as individuals striving to connect, but not realizing their objective.  The full-length evening work will be performed in January 2008.  The University of Houston ENSEMBLE performs Say Cheese, the choreographic debut of Corian Ellisor.  The four-minute work explores society’s fascination with appearance using quirky and outrageous gestures with sweeping movement.       San Jacinto Community College South/Community Dance Collective performs Repose created by Chicago-based dancer, master teacher and choreographer Michelle Manzanales.  This work, created during a Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Institute, explores the feelings surrounding the death of a cherished friend and offers insight in how some individuals find peace.     Revolve Dance Company performs A Wider Lens, choreographed by company co-founders Amy Cain and Dawn Dippel.  The work for seven dancers is set to an assortment of music by Sigur Róss, Lisa Gerrad and Pieter Bourke.  The company’s signature movement blends contemporary dance, jazz and hip-hop to create a beautiful expression.    Travesty Dance Group presents an excerpt from their full-length evening work, Green.  Characterized by the wit and energy of choreographer Karen Stokes, the piece features intricate body percussion, which audiences will find both delightful and surprising.