Celebrate Black History Through Dance

For six days next week, some of the most talented contemporary dance companies in the United States will be performing at the Detroit Opera Theater to honor African American contemporary dance.

The performances begin on Tuesday, February 15, at 7:30 pm with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, an organization that will pay homage to the late Sir Warren Spears, an international choreographer who was born and raised in Detroit. Dayton will perform four works on Tuesday, and will do a repeat performance on Wednesday night.

On Thursday and Friday nights, February 17 and 18, The Philadelphia Dance Company - founded in 1970 - will grace Detroit Opera House's stage with five pieces, ranging from the all-male, "Blue", to the all-female "Gatekeepers". The Thursday night show begins at 7:30 pm and the Friday night show begins at 8:00 pm.

The final two shows, courtesy of Alonzo King's LINES ballet, are scheduled for the evening of Saturday, February 19, at 8:00 pm and the afternoon of Sunday, February 20, at 2:00 pm. The San Francisco-based LINES company is world-renowned for its modern, sophisticated and contemporary styles.

Tickets for any of the shows are available through www.michiganopera.org.