Beyond the dancing and antics, however, the Damsels have a genuine mission: to help women in crisis and provide a place for young women to dance in Denver. Director Katrina Lairsmith says she started the company because there aren't many options for technically trained dancers in Denver. "I wanted to give dancers who are turning eighteen an outlet to dance instead of moving to Los Angeles, because at eighteen in Denver there's nothing to do," she says. "You either move to L.A. or you do something like dance for the Nuggets."

In keeping with that mission, the proceeds from the Damsels' show will go to help fund the continued search for Aubrey Sacco, a Colorado woman who went missing on a trek in Nepal in 2010.

An American Love Story runs tonight at 8 p.m. and tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater, 119 Park Avenue West. For more information and to purchase tickets, $15 for students and $18 general admission, visit www.thedamselsdancecompany.com. For more info on the Aubrey Sacco Rescue Fund, go to www.aubreysacco.com.
Sat., May 5, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 6, 6 p.m., 2012