It's a Wednesday night, and the kids from Youth Advocates, a Houston agency that offers troubled teens another chance, are sweatily perfecting their break dance routines. In Houston and around the nation, the frenetic art form -- born in the nation's ghettos three decades ago -- is experiencing a surprising renaissance.

Locally, as many as 500 youths a year turn out for the Youth Advocates' twice-weekly sessions, with the best dancers gaining big-time exposure.