Following the success of "Protégés" in 2006, the Kennedy Center is launching its second biennial showcase of the world's greatest ballet academies. This mixed repertory program promises ballet in its purest form as danced by rising stars from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the Paris Opera Ballet School, the Royal Ballet School in London, and the School of American Ballet (founded by George Balanchine as an adjunct to the New York City Ballet).

All four schools and their star students will perform one time only -- at the Kennedy Center's Opera House, Fri., June 6 at 7:30 p.m. Call 800-444-1324.

Cindee celebrates silver

Cindee Velle started teaching dance at the Long Reach Village Center in 1983. Now to mark her company's 25th anniversary, Ballet With Cindee Velle is staging "Classics of the Silver Screen," an original dance production set to famous movie scores. Local choreographers and faculty members at Velle's school, based at the Long Reach Village Center, have created dances to familiar music from the "James Bond" films and "Fantasia," as well as songs from "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story," among others.

Look for ballet, jazz and tap dancers (ages 3 to adult) to dance across the Centennial High School stage Sat., June 7 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general, $13 for students. Call 410/465-7674 or go to www.cindeevelleballet.com.

Catch this funky dance

B. Funk Dance Company, the Howard County studio behind the "Monsters of Hip Hop" workshop and show tour, presents its spring recital of original ensemble works at Sykesville's Century High School Auditorium Sat., June 7 at 2 and 8 p.m. Jazz pieces choreographed by Jennifer R. Combest and hip-hop movement created by Angie Servant Worley will be mixed with student pieces staged by Brandi Stewart for dance fans of all ages. Tickets are $15 general. Call 410-386-4400 or go to www.bfunk.com.

Go ask 'Alice'

Last weekend we watched the Howard County Ballet dance down the Yellow Brick Road in "The Wizard of Oz," and this weekend it's Ballet Royale's turn to mingle with magical characters when it presents "Alice in Wonderland" as its annual spring offering at The Jim Rouse Theatre. Make a date for this Sat., June 7.

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