Choreographers from across the Midwest will convene Friday and Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center to showcase their talents.

A local company, Raghisdad!, under the direction of JoAnne Zingo-Hargis, will present two works of traditional Middle Eastern dance, involving scarves, instruments and more.

Deborah Bettinger, ballet instructor at the Arts Center, has choreographed two works for the Lawrence Ballet Ensemble. And Lawrence resident Jan Wiens will perform a piece called “Freedom’s Train.”

Angela Culbertson and her modern dance company, Atrek Dance Company of St. Louis, will present two works: “How Art Thou?” and “To Be Free,” both choreographed by Culbertson.

Amy Meyers, a choreographer from the Kansas City area, has created “Mere Image,” a duet danced by Rachael and Amber EuDaly that deals with the struggles of body image. The second work by Meyers is a solo danced by Tiffany Nab of Storling Dance Theater.

New to this year’s showcase is Malinda Crump, who is appearing courtesy of aha! dance theatre of Kansas City. Crump has choreographed a duet for herself and dancer Tracie Davis, “Spiritus Separatus,” which is based on the dichotomy that comes with depression.

Suzanne Ryan of REACH! A Movement Collective of Bonner Springs also will present a solo work.

The show starts at 8 p.m. both evenings. Tickets are $10 general, $8 for students and seniors, and are available at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., or by calling 843-ARTS.