Lula Washington Dance Theatre, a 10-member powerhouse of contemporary dance, will perform an "Ode to the Sixties" 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13., at the Myrna Loy Center.

Known for its distinctive, high-energy choreography and focus on contemporary issues, the L.A.-based Lula Washington Dance Theatre has become one of the most noted dance companies of the West.

Choreographer and co-founder Lula Washington has created dances about homelessness; the 9/11 tragedy; police brutality; the civil rights movement; and the Underground Railroad.

But she also has a lighter side. She choreographed dancing fishes in Walt Disney's "The Little Mermaid" movie and she has choreographed alien creatures for the James Cameron film "Avatar."

Washington has also choreographed classical dances to Bach and Vivaldi; high energy African dances; and pulsating hip-hop works.

Their Myrna Loy Center performance here coincides with The Big Read Under the Big Sky, focusing on Tim O'Brien's Vietnam book "The Things They Carried."

"Ode to the Sixties" is set to music by Jimi Hendrix; The Beatles; James Brown; Janis Joplin; Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary. The piece celebrates a "cultural revolution" of people coming together in unity. It includes a soldier fighting for his life, a business man dealing with the repercussions of drug addiction, the struggle of people with different views of patriotism, moments of deep peace, and many other experiences of change and conflict tied to the 1960s.

In addition, "Little Rock Nine" suite and "The Movement" explore the turmoil of the civil rights movement. And, Washington promises, there will also be moments of humor and fun.

The dance company is composed of young, athletic dancers, many of whom were groomed in Washington's inner-city dance studio where she works with children starting as young as 3 years old in a program called: "I Do Dance, Not Drugs!"

While Washington encourages her dancers to be excellent performers, she also instills in them strong teaching skills and deep connections with children and adults of their community.

Lula Washington has been compared to Twyla Tharp and Martha Graham for her choreographic expressiveness and the social relevance of her works. The New York Times described her work as "an elegant and smoothly blended mix of styles, including explosive dance."

Washington won the 2007 National Education Association Carter G. Woodson award for her work in dance. She also won the 2004 Minerva Award, given by Maria Shriver for her contributions; the Educator of the Year Award from the Music Center's Professional Artists in Schools Association; and numerous other awards. She has received two National Dance Project grants, numerous NEA creation grants, and commissions to create new works from across the county.

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre has performed in major theaters across the country as well as in Germany; Spain; Mexico;and St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

In addition to touring, the company dances and teaches in scores of schools each year.

Tickets are $15 adults and seniors/ $10 students and are available at the Myrna Loy Center, 443-0287 or www.myrnaloycenter.com.