This year's 'Cold Days, Hot Nights' theme for the Arts Series is getting even hotter with a performance by the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 (DCDC2) on Saturday night.

Comprised of college graduates and undergraduates preparing for professional careers in dance, DCDC2 was created seven years after its parent company, DCDC. Both companies bring something unique to the artistic forefront and are not meant to be ranked against each other.

Taking a brief look at the history of DCDC will help explain the inspiration behind DCDC2.

Founded in 1968 by Jeraldyne Blunden, DCDC was a project that took time to evolve. Blunden, a Dayton native, began her dance training at age eight under the guidance of Josephine and Hermene Schwarz, founders of the Dayton Ballet. Segregation in the 1940's prevented African-Americans from taking dance classes at established schools, so Blunden began taking classes at the Linden Center'a community center on Dayton's West Side.

At the age of 19, she was asked to become the director of dance classes at the Linden Center and it was only a matter of time before she wanted more for her students. In the 1960's, Blunden created what is now known as DCDC so her dancers-in-training could have more opportunities to practice and perform.

Since then, the company has earned international acclaim for artistic excellence and its outstanding range of both new and classic works. The company has continually worked to build its collection of dances and it holds the largest collection in the world of classic works by African-American choreographers.

DCDC's main mission is to deliver contemporary dance of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience, which it accomplishes by visiting as many as 27 cities while on tour.

It was the first African-American dance company to gain membership as a Performing Company in the Northeast Regional Ballet Association in 1973 and has continued to break the mold in other dance companies and organizations.

Based on DCDC's success, it was natural step for Blunden to create DCDC2 as a repertory-training ensemble where promising dancers had the chance to prepare for professional careers in dance. DCDC2's concerts, which range from 45 to 90 minutes, showcase innovative and contemporary works by established and emerging choreographers. Like its parent company, DCDC2 is also a culturally diverse modern dance company committed to providing the highest standards of artistic excellence through live dance performances.

What sets this company apart from DCDC is its innovative educational outreach programs that aim at performing for audiences of many social, ethnic and economic backgrounds. DCDC2 offers workshops for educators that are designed to provide opportunities for participants to explore movement and its application to the classroom, religious services and community development. The company also offers classes that give novice or skilled students the chance to learn the art of dancing and develop new skills.

DCDC2 is ready to dominate the stage this Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. in Boll Theater. Admission is $14 for the general public, $8 for faculty and alumni and only $5 for students. Call the box office at 229-2545 to purchase tickets.