LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO Returns to Houston Tonight

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, characterized by men in tights, tutus and dancing en pointe, is returning to Houston tonight, April 17, at 8 p.m. in Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or the "Trocks" as they are affectionately known, dance a fine line between high art and high camp. This troupe of classically trained male ballet dancers (with stage names like Minnie Van Driver, Irina Kolesterolikova and Ida Nevasayveva) perform a full range of ballet repertoire including classical and original works in faithful, yet humorous renditions.

Tickets range from $35-$65 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.

The Trocks' Houston program will include Chopeniana, a series of seven dances set to nocturnes, waltzes and mazurkas by Frederic Chopin; Go For Barocco featuring company members in little black dresses performing to the music of Bach; and Walpurgis Night inspired by the Bolshoi Ballet's Valpurgeyeva Noch.

The Company's parody of serious ballet provides audiences with a greater understanding of the art form. The waif ballerina's body is built to move and bend in graceful directions. The contrast of heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, water sprites, romantic princesses and angst-ridden Victorian ladies truly demonstrates how much talent and effort professional ballet requires.

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts, the Trocks have sold out shows since their first performance in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts. Now the company is known beyond New York, having performed all over the United States, as well as in Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia.

Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 1,000 performances of the world's finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.