The Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti, an internationally recognized dance troupe of orphans, former street children and child slaves in Haiti will staged performances on Oct. 7 and 8 in Bethesda. Proceeds will benefit St. Joseph Family, which was formed in 1985 to bring street children into a family setting.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, and at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda.

Dances reflect traditional Haitian and African movements, and feature traditional drumming, brightly-colored costumes and audience participation. This unique theatrical experience takes audiences on a journey of excitement, hope and rhythm, and is an affirmation of the performers' "resurrection" from life on the streets of Haiti.

All funds will be used to help rebuild the two St. Joseph Family facilities that were destroyed in the January 2010 earthquake, and to provide funds for the daily care of the children and advancement of programs.

New state-of-the-art facilities are planned to serve the children. Funding from past tours of the RDTH has enabled the successful rebuilding of the first phase of St. Joseph's Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince. Construction of a new Wings of Hope facility is the next step in the rebuilding.

The tour is supported by Hearts with Haiti. Hearts With Haiti, based in Raleigh, N.C., is a nonprofit whose primary mission is to support the vision and ministry of the St. Joseph Family in Haiti. Additional information is available at www.heartswithhaiti.org.

Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for students, and free for ages 8 and younger.