Abigail Jordan The Los Angeles-based Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT), which includes credits for choreographing alien creatures for James Cameron’s current blockbuster “Avatar,” will present two performances at the Savannah Civic Center as part of the 21st Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF), which is presented by Savannah State University and the City of Savannah.

The troupe will perform for elementary and middle school students at the Ninth Annual School Day Extravaganza at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 11. Schools interested in attending should call M. Johnson at 912-354- 2657, M. Goldwire at 912- 356-2239 or F. Porzio at 912- 201-5530.

The general public will have a chance to see the troupe on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. While the performance is free, a reserved-seat ticket is required for admission. Free tickets, a maximum of four per patron, will be available for distribution at the Savannah Civic Center Box Office beginning on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. A limited number of tickets will also be available at Lester’s Florist, located at Bull and 37th streets.

Virginia Edwards Founded 30 years ago with a $25 loan and a dream, the LWDT has grown to become one of the largest and most admired African- American dance companies in the West. Lula Washington is the founder, with her husband Erwin, main choreographer and artistic “voice” of the 10-member modern dance company known for powerful high-energy dancing and unique choreography set to a range of music from experimental to blues.

The LWDT is funded by New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with generous support by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and MetLife Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation, and also by Target. For the past ten years, the festival has paid tribute to outstanding persons in the city of Savannah whose work and service in the community have enhanced the lives of citizens of all walks of life, and especially the lives of African Americans.

Charles J. Elmore Prior to the dance performance, the 2010 SBHF honorees – Abigail Jordan, Ph.D.; Charles Elmore, Ph.D.; and Virginia Edwards – will be presented.

The 2010 festival is the 11th produced by Savannah State. All festival events are free and open to the public. For more info, visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival. com