MERCED — Dance studios from around the region will join forces Saturday to perform two shows filled with a diversity of styles.

Called "Kaleidoscope," the event will showcase dancers from seven different area dance schools: Denisa's School of Dance, Merced Academy of Dance, Belly Dance Merced, Mariposa Academy of the Performing Arts, South Pacific Dance Company, Steps Dance Studio and The Dancers' Studio.

The performances will take place 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday inside the Merced College Theater.

Sponsored by the Merced Dance Teachers Cooperative and Merced College, the event allows the public to see the options that are available locally for dance studios.

"A lot of these dancers have gone on to do professional things with their dance," said Denisa Rice of Denisa's School of Dance, one of the organizers of the event. "These are all top notch dancers," she added.

Funds raised during the event will go toward scholarships for dance students. Rice said that the event started more than 20 years ago.

Each show runs about two hours, and the dancers will perform 25 different dance numbers.

Merced College's theater is located at 3600 M St. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at Passadoris, Peraino's Jewelers, Gottschalks Music and Merced College.

City Editor Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsunstar.com.