The tragedy in Haiti has slipped from the headlines behind the winter Olympics just past, the other big earthquake in Chile, the health care debate in Washington and more. And yet, people still care.

Here are two examples:

Sunday night in Bay Shore, New York, about 250 people will gather for a musical benefit to raise money for MAP International’s work in Haiti. Mary Louise Cohen, the powerhouse of a woman who made this possible, was compelled to do more than send money for Haiti relief. She wanted to engage her community, raise awareness and get others to publically show their support for people not so far away who had suffered so much more than most of us will experience. The benefit at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts will feature performers include singer Janine DiNatale and tap-dancing superstar Cartier Williams, the protege of artist Savion Glover. An earthquake survivor will relate his harrowing story…and more. Should be a great night. I’m traveling to Bay Shore to take part. You can support the event’s fundraising goal by giving online at the MAP website.

Then, on March 18 in Los Angeles, some of the country’s best dancers and choreographers will gather at the the El Portal theater for a Haiti benefit performance. The event is hosted by Millennium Dance Complex and MAP. Proceeds will support MAP’s Haiti relief and rebuilding effort. The geniuses behind this are Millennium’s Robert Baker and MAP’s Joy Chesbrough. Check out the event’s great website. You can donate there, too.

Momentum for this event is growing in Los Angeles. More and more performers are being added. Why? They care

You know, people are good.

by Michael J. Nyenhuis, President/CEO, MAP International

Rehearsals at Millennium Dance Complex are underway for people who want to break the record and be part of the biggest dance croud to ever do the Thriller dance at once.

Ashley Tisdale

Cute little Ashley Tisdale headed to the Millennium Dance Studios (where Britney Spears often rehearses as well) yesterday. She was all smiles for the paparazzi. I guess she is new enough to the game that she doesn’t yet feel the need to cover her face and try to hide from the photographers. I would say at this stage, she’s just enjoying her newfound fame It’s nice to see someone who isn’t yet jaded by all the attention. We’ll see if Ashley is still handling things the same in a few years…

Britney Spears has appointed Jamie King, a choreographer who worked with Madonna on “Sweet & Sticky Tour”, for her upcoming “Circus Starring Britney Spears” tour. Jamie will replace her two previous choreographers Wade Robson and Andre Fuentes, who both quit earlier this month.

Publicist for Jamie at the MSA Agency has posted a statement on its website, congratulating him for the new job. “Britney’s back and going on tour to promote her new album Circus! Congratulations to Jamie King who will be the tour’s director,” so the statement read. “Simon Ellis will be the Musical Director for the tour.”

In related news, Jamie King has, according to BreatheHeavy, practiced dance moves with several dancers at Britney Spears’ old stomping grounds Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood. Their rehearsal is reportedly a preparation for her roadshow.

Video of Jamie King’s dance rehearsal:

Miley Cyrus

Hollywood.tv catches up with Miley Cyrus and a gal pal as they get their caffeine fix at the Coffee Bean, and then head off to Britney Spears’ fave dance studio, Millennium — where Miley claims that she is about to partake in a five-hour dance rehearsal!

Hopefully that coffee came with an extra shot of espresso or two…

Watch the video at: http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/08/64068/index.html

Courtesy of etonline.com

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan turned up at Britney Spears’ old stamping grounds: the Millennium Dance Studio in North Hollywood. The actress was at the studio to brush up on her moves for the upcoming film Dare to Love Me, a biopic on tango legend Carlos Gardel.

“It’s nice to see people get back to being creative – to be in a place where they are able to be creative,” says Robert Baker, director of Millennium Dance Complex. “[Lohan] seems to be getting her career back on track, and it’s a happy thing.”

Lindsay spent Wednesday and Thursday with a crew of twelve people from the film, as they learned moves for the film.

Britney will also be occupying the space soon: she’s due for rehearsals for her supposed comeback tour.

Courtesy of theinsider.com