New Season at METdance Feels Like Home

Contemporary dance company prepares for 22^nd season, “Where the Heart Is,”

Fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19

HOUSTON – August 14, 2017 – After 22 years, METdance is still glad to call Houston home.

The nonprofit dance organization has released the calendar for its upcoming season, “Where the Heart Is,” which will highlight both new and repertory works created by artists who have resided in Texas, with programming inspired by the concept of home.

“We’re celebrating the exceptional talent of our home-grown choreographers and regional artists,” METdance artistic director Marlana Doyle said. “We are presenting and honoring acclaimed Houston-based talent and showcasing the next generation of local choreographers and dancers – as well as outstanding Texas-based dance and arts groups.”

Running from October to June, the season will feature free outdoor concerts, two evenings comprised of intimate duets, performances by the MET too youth company and more:

• Season Kickoff – Free outdoor concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Discovery Green  
• Reaching Out – at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 at San Jacinto College South Campus. Tickets $20, or $10 with valid student ID.
• Where the Heart Is – at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16 to Saturday, Nov. 18 at MATCH (Midtown Arts and Theatre Complex Houston)
• Open House Performance – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 at MATCH (Midtown Arts and Theatre Center). Tickets are $25.
• DUO – 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8 to Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Rec Room.  
• DUO too – 5 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 10 at the Rec Room. Tickets are $25. 
• Reaching Out – at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27 at Sam Houston State University. Tickets $20, or $10 with valid student ID.
• Deep in the Heart – 8 p.m. on Friday, April 6 at the Wortham Center, Cullen Theatre.
• Spring Concert – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at MATCH (Midtown Arts and Theatre Center), tickets are $25.
• Sizzling Summer Dance – Free outdoor concert, date to be announced, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, the nonprofit is also slated to host its MidtownMixer at Weights and Measures, located at 2808 Caroline St.

The one night only fundraising event will feature a silent auction, music by Ruben Moreno and the Zydeco Re-Evolution, beats by DJ Sweft and special performances by Phoenix Kardashian Paris and Mocca Bonné.

Admission is $40, which includes some food and drink. All proceeds will support programming at METdance. For tickets, visithttp://www.metdance.org/tickets.   

Doyle said the fundraiser will help METdance keep doing the work that has helped make them a staple in the Houston arts scene and international dance community for more than two decades.

“Contributors enable us to continue exciting, inspiring and educating audiences through our unique blend of contemporary concert dance performances and community outreach,” she said.   

Founded in 1995, METdance pursues a mission to educate and revitalize a passion for dance through world-class instruction and performance.

The company has traveled across the U.S., impressing critics and audiences alike while performing works by some of the most influential and talented choreographers in dance.

METdance also has a strong community outreach program, including its educational “Swing, Jive, Pop” performances. The shows incorporate history, fashion, music and the arts, while the company dances through the eras of the 1930s Lindy Hop, bops into the 1950s, grooves into the 1970s and ends with the Hip Hop music of today.

The company’s home base, the METdance Center, now serves as Houston’s second-largest dance training space, offering comprehensive training in multiple disciplines to students of all experience levels, ages 3 and older.

For more information about METdance and the upcoming 22^nd season, visit www.metdance.org.

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About METdance

Founded in 1995, METdance strives to educate and revitalize a passion for dance through formal instruction and performance. With professional and youth dance companies, as well as a strong community outreach program, METdance is a leader in the vitality and diversity of Houston’s dance community. The METdance company has traveled across the U.S. to perform works by influential and talented choreographers. Helmed by founder and Executive Director Michelle Smith and Artistic Director Marlana Doyle, the company is the sister organization to the METdance Center, which opened the doors to a newly renovated facility in May 2013 in Houston’s Midtown district. For more information, visit www.metdance.org.