METdance Celebrates 20th Anniversary All Season Long -- METdance announces 2015-2016 season, “Celebrating 20!”

Join METdance for its 2015-2016 performance season - a celebration of the nonprofit's 20th anniversary in Houston's vibrant arts community. In honor of two decades of captivating performances, groundbreaking choreography and educational outreach, the upcoming season entitled "Celebrating 20!" will include retrospective works as well as new works showcasing the company's fusions of classical and contemporary dance.

"This season promises to be full of energy, emotion and excitement," artistic director Marlana Doylesaid. "We invite everyone to experience dance up-close and enjoy some of our favorite classics as well as a number of new masterpieces."

The performances begin with "Season Kickoff" at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr. in Houston, 77030. The free show will feature audience favorites, including "Whatever Lola Wants," "Significantly Other," and "Consumed."

The second show in the series "Old~New~Borrowed~Blue" is slated for 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilka Hall, 800 Bagby St. in Houston, 77002. Tickets range from $15 to $35 per person. The performance will span the genres of jazz to contemporary, ballet to modern, featuring works by the late Steven Boyd, Caleb Mitchell, Larry Keigwin and a Houston premiere of "A New Second Line" by award winning New York choreographer Camille Brown.

The "Celebrating 20!" season continues with "DUO," scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 and at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street in Houston 77007. This will be the second year in a row that METdance presents "Duo."

"It's back by popular demand," Doyle said. "This intimate evening offers a series of duets from the METdance repertoire and features premieres by Oliver Halkowich from Houston Ballet and former METdance company member Terrill Mitchell."

An additional performance "DUO II" will be performed by the MET too Youth Company, a non-competitive training troupe, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Spring Street Studios.

The fourth program in the season is "Honored Guests" slated for 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at Wortham Center Cullen Theatre, 510 Texas Ave. in Houston, 77002. Tickets range from $15 to $35 per person.

The performance will feature the works of choreographers who have made a lasting impact on METdance's rich history throughout the past 20 seasons, including a world premiere by Kate Skarpetowska.

The "Celebrating 20!" season continues with a one night only performance "MET too Youth Company Spring Concert" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27 7at Midtown Arts and Theatre Complex, 3414 La Branch St. in Houston, 77004. Tickets are $20.

"MET too Youth Company will perform from some of dance's most notable choreographers and guest artists," Doyle said. "These 13 to 18 year old dancers always put on an amazing show. They are the future of dance."

The METdance season concludes with "Sizzling Summer Dance" at 8:30 p.m. on a date to be announced in June at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr. in Houston, 77030. Admission is free.

"Our final show of the season will be a diverse and versatile program bursting with dance, music and spirit," Doyle said. "This evening will feature the world premiere from Joshua Peugh and the 2016 Emerging Chorographer Commission awardee."

METdance offers a "premiere package" - a pair of orchestra seats to all six shows for $500 plus a $100 gift card to Weights and Measures Restaurant. There is also a "repertoire package" - a pair of orchestra tickets to three shows for $350, as well as a $50 gift card to Weights and Measures Restaurant.

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" performance.

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 up.