LIVERMORE — The Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre has been asked to perform all over the world, from the Millennium Celebration in Times Square to the Cultural Olympiad in Greece.

The group, founded in 1978 on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, has also exhibited to less renowned fanfare in cafeterias, prisons and casinos.

But perhaps the greatest testament to its enduring appeal is that the company now includes second- and third-generation dancers who continue its mission to showcase the culture of the Great Plains Native Americans.

“We try to educate people on the Native American spirit, way of life and traditions and what we can learn from it,” said Henry Smith, the group’s artistic director.

On Nov. 11, the Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre will perform at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater.

The appearance is part of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center’s ongoing world music series that aims to introduce the arts and cultures of other regions to families, said Marketing Director Nancy Mueller.

The series kicked off with the National Acrobats of China. Celtic Nights, Luna Negra Dance Theater and Mariachi Sol de Mexico are slated to perform later this year.

Through both modern and traditional dance, narratives and videos, the Lakota show, entitled “Cokata Upo! Come to the Center,” chronicles the story of the people from inception to present day.

“It’s the creation story of Lakota Sioux: the birth of a nation, the death of a nation, the creation of the reservation system and the rebirth

that has taken place over the last 20 or 30 years or so,” Smith said.

The performance will include fancy team dance, jingle team dance, shield and spear dance, hoop dancing and other styles, with dancers in full regalia accompanied by music.

In addition to the Bankhead performance, the company will make a special presentation to students at Rancho Las Positas Elementary School in Livermore, which houses the district’s American Indian Education Program.

“We are looking forward to them coming,” said Mary Puthoff, program specialist.

Puthoff, who also hails from the Rosebud Reservation, said there are about 20 students at the school who have American Indian heritage.

Some of the students perform in the program’s Native American dance troupe, which incorporates Plains-style dancing.

Puthoff’s granddaughter Tina, who serves as UC Berkeley’s Pow Wow Princess, will have the opportunity to dance with the Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre during the presentations.