AMERICAN EVOLUTION™, 2019 Commemoration, Partners With Virginia Arts Festival To Host Performances By Richard Alston Dance Company And Lula Washington Dance Theatre

JAMESTOWN, Va., May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Virginia's 2019 Commemoration, AMERICAN EVOLUTION™, has partnered with the Virginia Arts Festival to host performances that explore how Virginia's local history has influenced today's America. Spring performances of Kathleen Battle – Underground Railroad, Urban Bush Women contemporary dance company, and the Virginia International Tattoo address themes from 1619 Virginia that shape who we are as a nation today.

This May, two more Virginia Arts Festival performances touch on events and ideas that are central to the 2019 themes.

On May 6, Britain's famed Richard Alston Dance Company will perform at the Sandler Center for Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, VA. Mr. Alston is internationally recognized as one of the most inspiring and influential choreographers in dance, and is known for his instinctive musicality. Trained in both the United Kingdom and the United States, Mr. Alston's work shows the robust exchange of ideas and culture that continues, centuries after the two nations became separate.

On May 19, Lula Washington Dance Theatre will perform at the Peebles Theatre, Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News, VA. Mrs. Washington founded the Lula Washington Dance Theatre in 1980 with her husband, Erwin Washington, to provide a creative outlet for minority dance artists in Los Angeles' inner city. Its mission is to build a world class contemporary modern dance company that travels worldwide with contemporary modern dance works that reflect African-American history and culture.

Both companies will work extensively with the Virginia Arts Festival's education programs, providing master classes and direct interaction between artists and area students.  "The Virginia Arts Festival's 2017 season engages local and national audiences in AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ themes of diversity, and the convergence of African Indian and European cultures in 1619 Virginia," said Kathy Spangler, Executive Director of the 2019 Commemoration. "Through performances and education programs the Virginia Arts Festival and the 2019 Commemoration are advancing awareness of critical issues that impacted this nation's earliest settlers and still resonate with America today."

"Through art we explore the impact of our local and national history and the enduring impact from the three cultures that collided in 1619 in Virginia," said Robert Cross, Artistic and Executive Director of the Virginia Arts Festival. "We are delighted to extend our relationship with AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ through the development of an original work of art, which will make its world debut in 2019."

For information on the performances, visit www.vafest.org.

For information on AMERICAN EVOLUTION™, visit www.americanevolution2019.com.

About the 2019 Commemoration
The 2019 Commemoration, AMERICAN EVOLUTION™, highlights events that occurred in Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today. Featured programs, events and legacy projects will position Virginia as a leader in education, tourism and economic development. AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ commemorates the ongoing journey toward the key ideals of democracy, diversity and opportunity. Dominion Resources is an AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ Founding Partner and Altria Group is a Virginia Colony Partner.  

SOURCE AMERICAN EVOLUTION™