Jazz dancing is often thought of as flamboyant and even a bit cheesy - thanks largely to those infamous jazz hands. But when done properly, it's a powerful, ultra-athletic form of movement - and Buffalo-based choreographer Jon Lehrer is a master of it. For the impressive dancers in his LehrerDance company, Lehrer combines modern and jazz styles into a form that he describes as "organically athletic" - which is spiked with gymnastics, break-dancing and the other bits of style representing the wide-ranging expertise of his eight dancers. Crisp, sleek and streamlined, Lehrer's movements just might save jazz dance from jazz-hands hell. 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Kaplan Theatre, Jewish Community Center, 5601 South Braeswood. For information, call 713-729-3200 or visit www.jcchouston.org. $12 to $22.
Sat., Jan. 30, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 31, 3 p.m., 2010