It's back. Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance returns to the Tristate for two performances. Although Mr. Flatley (owner of “the world's fastest feet” at 35 taps a second) won't be dancing, 40 Irish tap-dancing champions will be onstage in his popular, over-the-top production. Taft Theatre, 3 and 8 p.m. May 19; $37, $47 and $55; Taft Theatre box office, Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, 562-4949, www.cc.com.

        Get ready to compete: If your thing is the Lindy or salsa, waltz or tango, and you've always wanted to test yourself against other ballroom dancers, consider the Cincinnati Dancesport competition in August.

        Although it's a few months away, you need to start preparing now, selecting a partner, finding the right music, costume, etc. Deadline for entries is July 1: 281-5500, Eleanor Lachman, fax 489-7314, www.cincinnatidancesport.com. Competition is at the Westin Hotel, downtown, Aug. 15-17; prize money is awarded.

        Boston bound: A good ballet master is hard to find — and often harder to keep. After two years at Cincinnati Ballet as guest ballet master, Raymond Lukens has decided to take a similar, full-time position at Boston Ballet. That leaves Johanna Wilt, the company's long-time ballet mistress, alone in keeping dancers in top performing shape and ballets ready for opening night — a huge responsibility. A replacement search is on.

        In addition to teaching classes, Mr. Lukens staged Kirk Peterson's Coppelia and “Belling the Slayer” for the company. He also appeared as Lord Capulet in artistic director Victoria Morgan's Romeo and Juliet. He will be working for old friend and new artistic director of the Boston Ballet, Mikko Nissinen.

        CCM show: For most of the school year, dance majors at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music perform only whatever their teachers select. Come spring they become the decision-makers and are cut loose to create their own dances. The annual Choreographer's Showcase, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Patricia Corbett Theater, free.

        Dance teams kick off: Is it dance or is it athletics? No one knows for sure, but dance teams with components like toe touches, axels, switch leaps, splits leaps and high kicks are the fastest growing dance trend in the Tristate.

        “I think this is a growing trend — you have about 17 teams (430 girls and boys) on the west side of Cincinnati alone,” says Tracey Burgoon, coach of Seton High School's competitive dance team, the Highlighters. Her senior high team won gold in Orlando, Fla., this year, which means they were judged the top team in the country.

        The team was thrilled, but stunned. “There are just incredible teams to compete against in Florida, because they come from all over, including Alaska and Hawaii,” she says.

        There were 44 groups in senior division alone; in addition there are junior high and mini (grade school) competitions. Dance team interest has been developing across the country for about 15 years and has spread to the college and professional levels.

        “At Seton, the dance team is part of athletics and the girls have to follow the same rules that all athletes follow,” Ms. Burgoon says. “This includes having their grades checked every two weeks.”

        It's a long season — tryouts are in May, practices begin in earnest in July, competitions are scheduled all year with state and national competitions in mid-April. Summer months find the coaches searching for music and choreographing new routines.
        Contact Carol Norris by fax, (812) 537-5693; e-mail norris@one.net.
       

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