In honor of its 30th anniversary, the Lula Washington Dance Theatre is kicking off a 17-theatre national tour in New Mexico. Returning to the state for the first time in 10 years, the contemporary modern dance company will travel around New Mexico from October 15 to 30, 2009, performing four popular works, teaching master classes, and holding dance workshops for children.

“Ode to the 60’s” takes audiences back to an era when music made our souls feel good, and “Beautiful Venus and Serena” tells the tale of two sisters competing to outmatch one another on their way to becoming champions. “We Wore the Mask” and “Songs of the Disinherited” tackle the themes of identity, slavery, and equality, all of which intertwine to make up the African-American experience.

The Los Angeles-based, 10-member company is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional dance. The company fuses theatre with dance, humor with emotion, and the classical with the contemporary. This season’s national tour, which includes stops in Georgia, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Montana, New Hampshire, and Alabama, is funded by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation of the Arts.

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre New Mexico tour schedule includes:

• October 16th Macey Center – Socorro
• October 17-19 W. New Mexico University, Fine Arts Center Theatre– Silver City
• October 20 University of New Mexico, Hope Joy Hall – Albuquerque*
• October 20 South Broadway Cultural Center – Albuquerque*
• October 21 Taos Community Auditorium – Taos
• October 23-24 Marshall Auditorium – Clovis
• October 27-28 Shuler Theatre – Raton
• October 29-30 Brooks/Isham Performing Arts Center – Kirtland

*Note: The two engagements in Albuquerque are not included in the National Dance Program-funded tour.

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre was founded in 1980. Its mission is to establish a world-renowned dance company and youth-focused dance school in the heart of inner-city Los Angeles. For more information about the company, its tours, and its programs, visit their website.