Name: Lula Washington Dance Theatre | AAF2025
Start: 2025-03-13T19:00:00+13:00
End: 2025-03-13T21:00:00+13:00
Location: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre

45 years of Creativity & Innovation
Since 1980, the cultural and dynamic force that is Lula Washington Dance Theatre has performed innovative, creative and provocative dance pieces from a number of choreographers, including their much-celebrated Founder and Artistic Director, Lula Washington. Works that fuse African and Afro Haitian styles alongside dance composition rooted in African American culture; and are set to upbeat and vibrant jazz, funky R&B and original beats, bring to life the stories of this company that hails from straight outta Los Angeles. Feel their passion and energy, witness the talents of this pioneering contemporary dance ensemble and celebrate the international premieres of not one, but TWO brand new works. It will be the experience of a lifetime…and a whole lotta fun!
Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT) was founded in 1980 by Lula and Erwin Washington. Responsible for artistic and administrator duties respectively, the couple established LWDT from nothing, raising enough money to buy a building in Crenshaw, South Los Angeles, which is where the company resides and rehearses today. As a dancer and choreographer, Lula blends African, modern, ballet and performance art styles with her concern for social issues. She has created works about homelessness, 9/11, police brutality, the Civil Rights movement and the Underground Railroad. For AAF, it will be the first time she is premiering work outside of L.A. The programme will also feature an international premiere of “And We Could Fly” by Tamica Washington-Miller, Associate Director, choreographer, dancer and daughter of the company founders. The ever popular “I Will Survive” will round out this upbeat, energetic and vibrant programme of dance, movement, history and topical issues.