Grand Performances

One of L.A.’s treasures. We celebrate the Lula Washington Dance Theatre's 30 years of influential community service with an evening of new and revival works.  Premieres include Tamica Washington Miller's ode to love in the springtime, Spider and the Bee, and a thrilling choreography by Lula and Jordi Caballero (Dancing with the Stars) that delves into African, Flamenco and Modern styles.  Experience the new work that Rennie Harris has set on the company, Reign - examining love and its accompanying struggles. The evening will be tied together with Double Dutch, live musicians and drums galore.

This performance is supported in part by the James A. Doolittle Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

PROGRAM

Marcus Miller and Freedom Jazz Movement
Music by: Chocolate Pound Cake

The Spider & The Bee
2010 World Premiere
Choreography: Tamica Washington-Miller

Hula- Jump Rope- Double Dutch
2010 World Premiere
Choreography: Lula Washington
Music: Fela Kuti 

Choices (2010)
Choreography: Lula Washington
Music: Terence Blanchard

Blood and Brains: Prologue to Frederick Douglass Now
Spoken word performed by: Roger Guenveur Smith

We Wore the Mask (2006)
Choreography: Lula Washington
This work celebrates the removal of old masks that were once needed to survive in America. Once removed, a new face is revealed full of the vivacity, energy, sensuality, soul, spirit, fire and true beauty that lies within us. 

INTERMISSION

Excerpts from Jordi Caballero's Ritmos
2010 World Premiere
Choreography: Jordi Caballero

Love is... (2010)
Choreography: Christopher Huggins
Music: Sigur Ros and Wong Kar-Wai

Angelitos Negros: Excerpt from Songs of the Disinherited
Chorerography: Donald McKayle
Music: Manual Alvarez Maciste

Reign (2010)
Choreography: Rennie Harris
"Reign" is a work that represents my personal struggle with love. I fell from the grace of heaven and although my heart hurts I know I will one day return. So until then, I will continue to create work about love...The love of family, friends, lovers, husbands, wives, humans. These relationships are designed to ultimately bring us back to God and the glory of heaven."  -Rennie Harris