The last week in April is National Dance Week. The Miami Dance Sampler, run for many years by South Florida dance pioneer and New World School of the Arts Dance Department Dean Daniel Lewis, is being revived by the Florida Dance Association. Dance NOW! joins forces with the Florida Dance Association to create a performance specially for this weekend of performances.

In a photograph of a Dance NOW! performance, it’s interesting to note the many right angles on the dancer’s body — knees, feet, arms, spine. Attired in such a fluid and formal white dress, we expect a similar fluidity in the body shapes and poses. Yet, the dancer is muscled and firm in her stance, and the larger-than-life shadow behind her mimics the dancer’s solidity and athleticism. This surprise speaks to the choreographers’ accomplishment and the rapport between the choreographers and performers.

Dance NOW! Miami was founded more than 10 years ago by Diego Salterini and Hannah Baumgarten, who met at a South Florida dance collaborative. The two realized their directing styles, experience and artistic mission complemented one another. Both were interested and experienced in ballet, contemporary dance and jazz. They wanted to produce high-quality dance performances, classes and outreach programs while speaking to the diverse urbanity that is Miami.

Dance NOW! has garnered an impressive list of awards that include: Best Experimental Dance Company, Best Dance Piece, Best Choreographers (Miami Sun Post), Top Ten Dance Events of the Year (Miami Herald) and the 2010 Miami ArtZine Visionary Award. The company has been featured nationally and internationally and worked with music conservatories, galleries, museums, ballet companies and festivals. And its done all this while retaining its strong local fan base.

So if you’re a fan of old, then come and continue to support Dance NOW! And if you haven’t seen its performances, now you have a great reason to leave your house on April 27 and 28.

WHEN & WHERE: April 27 & 28, 2012, 8 p.m., Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 N.E. 59th Terrace, Miami, Fla. 33137 . Free Parking. TICKETS: $20 general, $10 student and senior. Tickets available online at www.dancenowmiami.org or available at the door with cash or check only. For more information, contact 305-975-8489/[email protected].