Dance

PHILADANCO If you think dance is only somber leaps and stately pirouettes, then, honey, you need a shot o' dance by this robust, sassy troupe from the City of Brotherly Love. Like its name, Philadanco -- short for Philadelphia Dance Company -- likes to cut to the chase, get a bit slang-y, sling some attitude. Its dances draw from the soulful spirit of R&B, jazz, the blues, and reggae, and its dancers practically set the stage on fire with their energy and enthusiasm. In fact, the word that comes up again and again in the press about the company is "exuberant." So forget that stuff about stuffy dance and see how vivid and vivacious movement can get. For its 1999 visit to Austin, the company brings two programs: Joy, Echoes, Elegy, and George Faison's Suite Otis, a "sweet-tempered romp" set to six songs by soul singer Otis Redding (Friday); and Bamm, Donald Byrd's sexually charged game of dance one-upmanship between man and woman; The Walkin' Talkin', Signifying Blue Hips, Lowdown, Throwdown, a celebration of the human body and its power to move and to move us, choreographed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar of Urban Bush Women; Dreamtime, and Pretty, a scene of couples strolling before a cityscape (Saturday). Preceding Friday's concert, Philadanco founder and artistic director Joan Myers Brown will give a lecture about the company (7:15pm, Winship Drama Bldg, Rm 2.112; free). TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY! Jan 29 & 30, Fri & Sat, 8pm, at Bass Concert Hall,
UT campus. Tickets: $26. 471-1444.

PARTNERS IN MUSIC, DANCE, AND LIFE Monthly showcase of contemporary and traditional Middle Eastern dance and music from Lucila Productions. This month, in honor of Valentine's Day, an evening with art by couples: Z'Helene Christopher and Rick Fink; Melissa Amira and Ahmed Garcia; Lucila Velez and Tony Cruz; Norma "Mistress of Magic" and David Archibald, Libby and Brandon Aly. A social hour precedes the performance (7pm). An open dance with live music follows the show. ONE NIGHT ONLY! Thu, Jan 30, 8pm, at Lucila's Studio, 1700 S. Lamar. $10.luciladp@aol.comor 416-8800.

DANCEFEST New celebration of dance bringing together performers from across the city to showcase their work. Producer Chris Valentine has corralled artists from the cultural dance community, the fine arts dance community, the alternative dance community, and elsewhere to present short works in three expansive programs that reveal just how varied Austin's dance scene is. Taking part in this DANCEfest debut are Csardas Hungarian Dancers, Middle Eastern dancer Karuna, modern dance company Ariel Dance Theatre, experiemental and improvisational group The Creeps, dance-theatre masters Johnson/Long Dance Company, and Ballet Austin (Friday night program); classical Indian dancer Anuradha Naimpally, youth group Auspicious Breaking Crew, Ballet East Dance Co., KINESIS Dance Theatre Project, Sharir+Bustamante DanceWorks (showcasing Xenon Dance), and modern dance legend Deborah Hay (Saturday night program); youth company Body Talk, children's company Believe in Me!. Aztlan Folklorico Dance Company, Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas, Puerto Rican Folklorico Dance Company, and Irish Dance Company (Sunday matinee).(See related "Arts" feature.) THREE DAYS ONLY! Jan 29-31, Fri & Sat, 8pm, Sun, 1pm, at Scottish Rite Theatre, 18th & Lavaca. $8-10. 454-TIXS.

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Dance Auditions

LESSONS FROM THE JOURNEY: through Feb 14, Sun, at Lucila's Dance Studio, 1700 S. Lamar. Dancers, actors, and singers of various cultures and ages needed for upcoming show. Dancers should be experienced in modern, jazz, tap, African, and other cultural dance styles, as well as gymnastics. Singers should be able to sing well a cappella and be able to move well. Dance auditions will be held during Creative Dance class, which costs $11 adults, $5 children. Children and adults: 2-3pm; adults only: 3-4:30pm. Vocal and acting auditions by appointment. 288-3618, 478-2581.