Lucky Seven

In the tough times in which we live, any arts company that can boast an ongoing event that it launched in 1997 is indeed fortunate. Given that was the year Pro Arts Collective inaugurated its annual African American Festival of Dance and given the festival is still going strong, it seems fitting to consider this year's program its "lucky seven" anniversary. Pro Arts has consistently drawn an impressive and intriguing lineup of dancers, choreographers, and companies from across the nation for its festival, and the 2003 edition continues that tradition. Frequent festival guest Dallas Black Dance Theatre, currently celebrating its 26th season, is back again. Atlanta's Ballethnic Dance Company, a company that blends traditional ballet with the artistic influences of other ethnic cultures, will perform. Lyn C. Wiltshire, current head of the dance program in the Department of Theatre & Dance at UT-Austin, is creating a new work for the festival titled I dream a world. And Jason Brooks is creating a new piece to be danced by D. Poet Powell (Tapestry Dance Company) and Chika Aluka (Ballet East).

The festival can be enjoyed twice on Saturday, July 19, at 2 and 8pm, at the State Theater, 719 Congress. Tickets are $21.50 for the evening show and $11.50 for the matinee. For more information, call 236-0644.