Lula Washington Dance Theatre Performance On March 2 Ends Arts Council Season   The Alleghany Highlands Arts Council will close its 2014-15 Performing Arts Series this Monday, March 2 with the internationally acclaimed, Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Curtain time for this high-energy evening of exuberance modern dance is 7:30 pm in Covington High School's Curfman Hall. Founded by Lula Washington, LWDT has built an international reputation for the vitality, energy and humanism of its repertory. The dances capture the jubilant expression of the human body by tell stories drawn from African-American history, culture and life. Mrs. Washington, who has been called "brilliant" by the LA TIMES, has steadfastly focused on using dance as the medium to explore social issues. the repertoire for Monday evening promises to break the spell of winter's blues and leave the audience up-lifted and energized. The focus of the dance company's visit to the Alleghany Highlands is on community unity and seeks to provide individuals from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds with an understanding and appreciation of their differences. The Company has an education mission of using dance to motivate, educate and inspire young people, enabling them to be productive and successful citizens. In-school performances are also planned for students of both Clifton Middle School and Jeter Watson Intermediate School. This is LWDT's second visit to our area having performed here in 2000. At that time a direct benefit was noted by school personnel that these types of productions present the unique opportunity for students to understand historical events through a creative, energetic, engaging medium. Tickets are $15 adults and $8 students but admission for any local student of dance at Garlynda's Fancy Feet or Patsy's Dance studio is free. Tickets can be purchased at the door Monday evening. Anyone wishing to reserve tickets can call the Arts Council office at 962-6220. Corporate cosponsor for the event is Meadwestvaco. The project is underwritten through a grant from the Alleghany Foundation with supplemental funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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