Jazzworks Dance Company, famous for captivating audiences by taking the recognizable elements of classical jazz dance and adding its own unique flavor, will perform Friday at the Wisconsin Union Theater.

The 10-member company will perform a 90-minute program featuring three premieres and five other pieces, accompanied by three guest dancers.

Choreographed by company directors and dance professionals, the pieces are set to various genres of music, ranging from folk music to the modern popular stylings of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Jazzworks has called the Madison Professional Dance Center on Madison’s south side its home since the group’s inception in 1980. In the two decades since, artistic director Carol Marion Ceniti and her company have garnered a significant following across the United States and Europe, working with choreographers from every corner of the dance world.

While most professional dance companies choose a classical style’s form and hold fast to it, Jazzworks has broken this unwritten rule, calling its approach “a diverse repertoire of jazz, modern and contemporary ballet.”

Despite a seemingly unorthodox approach to dance, the members’ athleticism and gymnastic abilities speak for themselves, with soaring jumps and effortless partnering, filling the theater with their stage presence and energy.

With an impeccable, disciplined technique, the unison sections of the pieces are in perfect sync as arms, legs and heads turn and bop together.

“I’m really excited to bring this concert to campus so that students can experience this kind of dance,” said UW senior and Jazzworks company member Betsy Johnson. “The pieces in this show are so great, and I’m so excited to finally perform them in front of an audience.”

Friday’s concert will offer its attendees an opportunity to experience a beautiful, crowd-pleasing dance performance right here in Madison. The company’s skill and technique has the potential to impress knowledgeable dance enthusiasts, while the popular music and dynamic movement will interest those just out for a night of great entertainment.

Jazzworks performs its annual spring concert tonight at 8 p.m. at the Wisconsin Union Theater. Tickets are $17 and $12 and are available at the Wisconsin Union Theater box office. Call 262-2201 for more information.