Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Launches 21-City US Tour

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, will embark on a 21-city US tour from January 30 through May 19th. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Robert Battle will move audiences in major cities across the country, including: Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; Boston, MA and Robert Battle's hometown Miami, FL, among many others.

Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that give Ailey's extraordinary artists new ways to inspire.

Another Night, by rising young choreographer Kyle Abraham, innovatively fuses the many dynamic facets of American dance and showcases the artistry and versatility of the Ailey dancers. Set to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger's rendition of one of Dizzy Gillespie's seminal compositions, A Night in Tunisia, the world premiere for ten dancers was created with the support of commissioning funds from New York City Center and the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth, in celebration of the Center's 50th Anniversary.

Petite Mort, a ballet of breathtaking sensuality and visual surprises, marks the first time a work by renowned European choreographer Ji?í Kylián appears in the Ailey repertory. Set to two of Mozart's most popular piano concertos, the theatrical work blends a classical sensibility with a bold, modern wit with fencing foils and elaborate ball gowns in an unforgettable duel featuring six couples.

From Before beautifully blends the rhythms of African dance with Caribbean influences, with movements distilled to their purest form by Garth Fagan, the Tony Award-winning choreographer of The Lion King. Featuring a jazzy percussive score by Grammy winner Ralph MacDonald, the Ailey premiere marks the first staging of this revered work for a company other than Garth Fagan Dance.

Artistic Director Robert Battle's Strange Humors is a thrillingly intense duet, set to John Mackey's propulsive score for strings and African drum that pits two men against each other. Surprising sequences ignite with aggression and discord, mischievousness and humor, as the relationship between the two dancers builds to an exciting crescendo.

Ronald K. Brown's landmark work Grace, created for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1999, has returned to the repertory in a rapturous, spiritually-charged new production. Infused with Brown's signature blend of modern dance and West African idioms, this moving journey acknowledging the grace that surrounds us all is set to Duke Ellington's classic "Come Sunday," Roy Davis' hit "Gabriel," and the powerful rhythms of Fela Kuti's Afro-Pop.

A new production of Ailey Classics features a vibrant anthology of highlights from founder Alvin Ailey's prolific 30-year career - including audience favorites and classics such as Cry, Love Songs and For 'Bird' With Love - culminating with his signature masterpiece Revelations, performed in its entirety.

"I'm thrilled to be further expanding Ailey's diverse repertory this season with new voices and talented contemporary choreographers that showcase the depth and breadth of the dancers' artistry," stated Artistic Director Robert Battle. "Audiences across the country will have the opportunity to experience these new treasures, along with encores of last season's notable works, and a program that highlights the work of our legendary founder Alvin Ailey."

Encore performances from Battle's acclaimed first season will include modern dance master Paul Taylor's Arden Court, hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris' soul-lifting Home, and Ohad Naharin's unique and innovative Minus 16, which features improvisation and audience participation. Also, a variety of repertory favorites and classic Ailey works will be performed, including the always inspiring must-see American masterpiece Revelations.

The Ailey Organization will continue its mission of using dance to educate, inspire and entertain by reaching young people through special student performances and master classes. Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach curriculum program will be implemented in public schools in Miami, FL; South Bend, IN; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, IL. Utilizing Alvin Ailey's signature work, Revelations, the program is an inspirational framework for a comprehensive study of language arts, social studies, and dance.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. Having embarked on an exciting new era guided by Robert Battle's vision, Ailey's acclaimed dancers will reveal once again this season why the Company is beloved as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World."

Detailed 2013 US Tour programming information and schedule is below (subject to change). For further details on the Ailey organization's performances, training programs and educational activities, visit www.alvinailey.org.