HOUSTON, BUSINESS WIRE -- Being crowned the best two-step dancers in the greater Houston area comes with bragging rights and an opportunity to win prizes valued at more than $1,000, including premium concert tickets to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, courtesy of Reliant Energy.

“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a big deal – for rodeo competitors, young people showing their prize livestock, fans and for Reliant Energy,” said Tom Gros, Senior Vice President of Sales, Reliant Energy. “As a RodeoHouston™ heritage partner this year and a long-time supporter of its youth and education programs, we know the positive impact this event has on our city and recognize the excitement it brings to communities all around Houston.”

Beginning Feb. 10, Reliant will hold the second annual “Reliant Energy Two-Step Showdown” to select the best two-stepping couple in the area. The grand prize includes a featured appearance in the show’s grand entry parade, premium Rodeo concert tickets, Reliant Energy bill credits and gift certificates for western wear.

The Two-Step Showdown is free and open to the public to compete or watch. Prior dance experience is not required. Those interested in showing off their dance skills can register to compete on-site at one of three qualifying rounds or print a registration form at reliant.com/twostep to bring to the round in which they wish to compete.

Registration starts at 9 p.m. for qualifying rounds, which will be held:

• Feb. 10 - Wild West, 6101 Richmond Ave., Houston
• Feb. 11 - Tumbleweed Texas, 13101 Kuykendhal, Houston
• Feb. 17 - Big Texas South, 803 N. Nasa Road 1, Webster, TX

The top 10 dancing duos from each qualifying round will receive four tickets to the Rodeo’s opening ceremony and will automatically be entered to compete in the semifinal round at 9 p.m., Feb. 19 at Rebels, located at 5002 Washington.

The two winning couples from the semifinal round will advance to the final round, which will be filmed at “The Hideout” on the eastside of Reliant Astrodome on March 6. The winning couple will be determined on-site by audience applause when the video is shown to the Rodeo crowd inside Reliant Stadium on March 11.

In addition to the Two-Step Showdown, Reliant is organizing other activities at this year’s show, scheduled to run through March 21. Activities include:

Reliant Energy PowerZone

Free daily fun for families, including games on Reliant’s interactive vehicle, the Power Mobile, a boot design contest and cowboy challenge consisting of barrel racing, horse saddling and lassoing an over-sized compact fluorescent light bulb. Mobile device charging stations, and a “guess how many” contest will also be at PowerZone.

Charitable Giving Through Rodeo Activities

On March 1, local media celebrities will compete to win a donation from Reliant to their favorite non-profit organization during the fourth annual Reliant Rodeo Round-Up, a light-hearted, relay-style challenge to be held at the Reliant Energy PowerZone. The grand prize is a $5,000 donation. Donations of $500 will be made on behalf of all participating media.

Also, Reliant will donate up to $15,000 to the HLSR Education fund, including $50 for every eight-second ride completed by cowboys during the Rodeo and $100 for every eight-second ride by Reliant-sponsored bareback rider Clint Cannon.

Jonas Brothers Ticket Giveaway

Reliant will make surprise visits to Houston area schools March 3-5 to award coveted Jonas Brothers tickets to deserving students who were nominated by their principal. Other youngsters can compete to win Jonas Brothers tickets during a karaoke contest hosted by Reliant and Radio Disney on Rodeo’s Kids Country Stage March 3 and 6.

Random Acts of Kindness

Reliant Energy employee volunteers will participate in Rodeo’s Random Acts of Kindness on March 11. Throughout the day, Reliant employees will perform good deeds to surprise and delight Rodeo patrons.

For more information about Reliant’s Rodeo activities, visit reliant.com/powerzone.

About Reliant Energy:

Reliant Energy provides electricity and energy services to more than 1.6 million retail customers—including homes, small and large businesses, manufacturing facilities, government entities and institutions across Texas. As part of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), Reliant Energy is backed by one of the nation’s largest power producers. NRG owns and operates more than 24,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including more than 11,000 megawatts of capacity in Texas. For more information about Reliant Energy products and services, visit www.reliant.com.