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Jan. 30, 2010 10 AM PT _This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts._ ‘Avatar’ employed innovative
technology to set the Na’vi tribe in motion. The 3-D camera used in filming allowed the director to view the dancers within a computer-generated virtual environment, even though they were
working on a “performance-capture” set. The packs visible on the dancers’ legs help capture the motion. The entire uniform — a unitard with computer-reading nodules dispersed throughout —
also includes head gear to catch facial expression. But, while on break, the dancers shed the hot, encompassing shells. Lula Washington’s “Avatar” credit is a felicitous gig as she
celebrates her 30th anniversary as a dance maker. Her company, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, launches a strong year-long performance calendar at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
on Saturday. In my article in the Sunday’s Arts & Books section, I describe the Lula Washington juggernaut. -- Debra Levine