Central YMCA's Dance Central is proud to present its 8th annual concert, Messages, which will explore messages through the art form of dance, and will feature over 100 students from Central YMCA's Dance Central program from ages two through adult. Performances will be held on Friday, August 22, 2008 and Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu.

This year's concert will feature a variety of dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. Messages will feature original dance pieces choreographed by Dance Central's resident faculty: Tina Enoki, Anna Gomes, Shannon Nakata, Jacie Ann Oda, Anthony Tsang, Tara Lum, Kimberly Reincke, Marie Takazawa, John Willis III, Dedre Fukumoto, and Chenise Kanemoto-Magno. Additionally, we are proud to premiere works from Hawaii's highly acclaimed hip-hop choreographers, Jared Ake and Chucky Stevens, and a contemporary jazz piece by Adrienne Lampitelli. To add to the mix, there will be guest performances by X Factor Dance Studio. Messages will also feature professional dance company SLAM, a locally based performance company made up of dancers from across the state who continue to awe spectators with their creative and unique styles of hip-hop dance.

Tickets are $15. Tickets may be purchased at the Hawaii Theatre box office: 1130 Bethel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; (808) 528-0506; or online at www.hawaiitheatre.com. Box office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

About Dance Central

Dance Central, a community-based, non-profit, dance education program trains local dancers in jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance styles through 12 classes held weekly at Central YMCA. Now in its 12th year of operation, Dance Central's mission is to share the passion and principles of jazz, hip-hop and other contemporary dance styles while having fun and promoting a healthy lifestyle for children as well as adults. Its students perform regularly at Ala Moana Center Stage and have also performed at events such as HMSA's Go festivities.

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