Dance fanatics will have a great opportunity to indulge themselves in watching and participating in a show featuring the swing dance style this weekend.

On Saturday, May 3, the Institute of the Arts will present the annual "Swing Into Spring" show in Reynolds Theater at 8 p.m.

The program will feature two local dance companies-Two Near the Edge and Swing Feats-performing a lively fusion of jazz, swing and modern dance to live music from the Gregg Gelb Swing Band with vocalist Kathy Gelb.

Swing Feats, dancers and choreographers, Richard Badu and Carmen Cinniger, is a Triangle company devoted to (naturally) swing dance.

Two Near the Edge, which will be performing in its second University concert this year, is comprised of another pair of cutting-edge Durhamite dancers and choreographers L.D. Burris and Carol Childs.

Childs also teaches jazz, modern dance and dance composition as an assistant professor of dance at the University, while Burris teaches modern dance and African dance independently.

The duo have performed extensively locally and nationally since they formed their group in 1992, and have been widely praised for their unique style and propensity to explore the new and exotic.

The two choreograph most of the material in their performance repertoire, though they may occasionally reinterpret the compositions of others.

In the past, some of their more provocative choreography has included such rarities as poetry readings and parts for four dancers, including two in wheelchairs.

Although the duo's primary medium is dance, their performances generally include many aspects of theater and music.

The works always tell a story, relay a certain emotion or make a political statement.

Audience members are invited to join the performers immediately after the show for a participatory swing dance session.

The two prolific choreographers in Two Near the Edge often premier their new works at the University, so expect the unexpected at this weekend's show.

Tickets to Saturday's performance are $14 for the public and $6 for students. Call Page Box Office at 684-4444 for more information.