The Smith Center to Welcome Lula Washington Dance Theatre This Fall

The Smith Center is excited to present a one-night only evening that welcomes one dynamic dance company and two phenomenal jazz bands to Reynolds Hall. On Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Lula Washington Dance Theatre with Kamasi Washington and Marcus L. Miller will bring together inspiring movement and music.

Lula Washington Dance Theatre, celebrating its 35th anniversary, brings to The Smith Center its explosive blend of modern dance, ballet, and Afrocentric rhythms in a powerful, high-energy performance The New York Times says "displays a sure theatricality that is captivating." Helmed by co-founder Lula Washington, the choreography arises from themes, ideas and issues that bear upon Washington. Known for innovative and provocative choreography, her deliberate movements create striking images.

The program will include the stylish and defiant works for which the company has come to be known for: the poignant "Beautiful Venus and Serena," the trademark "We Wore The Mask," the romantic "Random Thoughts," the bouncy "Reign," and the socially-conscious "Search For Humanism."

The company's performance will have an added level of excitement with musical guests Kamasi Washington and backing band Next Step as well as Marcus L. Miller and his Freedom Jazz Movement band. Kamasi Washington, a saxophonist, is one of the brightest young jazz musicians in the world today. He has performed with headliners such as Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill and Kendrick Lamar. His recently released album, The Epic, has already topped the charts. Miller is a multi-talented artist/percussionist. He serves as the dance company's musical director as well as founder of Freedom Jazz Movement. As a professional drummer, Marcus has recorded, toured and performed with many other artists including Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Bennie Maupin, Trevor Hall, Ozomatli, Ashanti and more.

Tickets start at $19 and go on sale Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at The Smith Center Box Office, located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue, by phone at 702-749-2000 or 808-326-6868 (TTY) and online at www.TheSmithCenter.com. For preferred seating and special rates for groups of 10 or more, contact 702-749-2348.

The hallmark of downtown Las Vegas' 61-acre urban development known as Symphony Park, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public-private partnership that opened in March 2012. Heralded as the city's Heart of the Arts, The Smith Center is an architectural triumph and long-awaited cultural achievement that educates and entertains the citizens of Southern Nevada. The $470 million world-class performing arts center offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance. The five-acre campus features four performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, the 244-seat Cabaret Jazz club, the 250-seat Troesh Studio Theater and the 1.7-acre Donald W. Reynolds Symphony Park for outdoor concerts. Additionally, the campus is home to the Discovery Children's Museum that opened in March 2013. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.TheSmithCenter.com. Keep up with news and events on Facebook and follow The Smith Center on Twitter at @SmithCenterLV.

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