Picnic (and Pas de Deux) in the Park

If you're still mistakenly laboring under the impression that ballet is dry, dusty and boring, the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater would like the chance to persuade you otherwise.

This Saturday and Sunday night at Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Dominic Walsh company is putting on a decidedly modern and contemporary production of the classic ballet Sleeping Beauty, set to Tchaikovsky's original score but with choreography and costumes that are anything but traditional. Dominic Walsh himself was a principal dancer with the acclaimed Houston Ballet until 2004, when he left to devote his full energy to the dance company he'd created in 2002, the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater. Today, the company provides a unique service to the local arts community by presenting the only contemporary ballet performances in Houston, along with master classes, lectures and open rehearsals.

This weekend's performance of Sleeping Beauty will open the company's 2008 - 2009 season, which will include Titus Andronicus and Walsh's own work, Mozart. There are two ways to see the ballet this weekend: you can pay $25 and receive a reserved seat in the covered area at Miller Outdoor Theatre along with a boxed supper and cocktails that will be served before the show. Or, you can come and see the performance for free from the comfort of a blanket on the soft, grassy lawn.

Not all Dominic Walsh Dance Theater shows are free; the remaining performances this season will be at their regular home base, Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center, where tickets will start at $23. To reserve your seat (and dinner and cocktails) for this weekend's performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre, simply call 713.652.3938 or visit the company's website at www.dwdt.org. Reserved tickets will be held at will call and dinners will be served at 6:30 p.m. However, if you'd just like to take the performance in for free, then come and spread out on the lawn before the show starts at 8:00 p.m. Parking is available at the Houston Garden Center or the Houston Zoo. Or, as we always suggest, you can take the light rail and get off at the Houston Zoo stop.

Curiosity not yet fully piqued? Then check out a preview of the performance below the jump...