Friends of the Cerritos Center for the Peforming Arts

Education Program » General Information | Teacher Advisory Committee

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

9:30 AM & 11:30 AM

Black Reflections

Lula Washington Dance Theatre

Audience: G 6-12, 9:30AM. G 4-6, 11:30AM

Discipline: Dance

VAPA: Artistic Perception Creative Expressions Aesthetic Valuing Historical and Cultural Context

Connections, Relationships, Applications: Language Arts Social Studies Physical Education Music Science

The Performance

Lula Washington Dance Theatre celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. The Company's impressive credits include the National Education Association's Carter G. Woodson Award (2007) for Black Reflections, a repertoire designed specifically for students. In this program, dances inspired by Rosa Parks, the Little Rock Nine, and Harriet Tubman beautifully portray the character and contribution of those remarkable individuals. The program also includes Angelitos Negro by famous choreographer Donald McKayle, and a new work by Lula Washington. The dances are interwoven with comments from Ms. Washington who provides the audience with the historical context of each dance as well as insights into her creative process.

Students have an opportunity to volunteer and move alongside professional dancers in choreographies that evoke chapters of African-American history. In addition to being a wonderful representation of modern dance, this performance is a fresh and sensitive approach to African-American history.

	Tuesday, February 02, 2010 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM
	PDW at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Led by Lula Washington herself, this workshop will provide insights into the artist's creative process, excerpts of choreographies, and hands-on activities designed to experience the artist's approach to movement. In a safe and friendly atmosphere participants will discover ways to engage their students in meaningful movement experiences without having to undertake professional dance training. Dance novices and dance connoisseurs alike will benefit from this workshop. A written curriculum guide will be distributed to facilitate implementation of activities in the classroom.