Alvin Ailey News

Whether a first-timer or seasoned fan, you are in for a fabulous treat with the 51st annual production of The Nutcracker - Austin's premier holiday tradition. This season, Artistic Director Stephen Mills' acclaimed choreography and the beloved tale are enhanced by the World Premiere of spectacular new sets and costume designs.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's 2013-14 Season at New York City Center kicked off December 4th with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Gabrielle Union. The event's co-chairs were Simin Allison & in memory, Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Daria L. Foster & Erich J. Wallach, Agnes & Gerald Hassell, Debra L. Lee, and Joan & Sandy Weill. The evening helped raise over $2.4 million for the creation of new works and Alvin Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Check out the pics below!

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers, recognized for its visceral movement and unflinching approach to comedic and controversial themes, announces its upcoming New York return of Camille A. Brown's 2013 Mr. TOL E. RAncE. Presented as part of the 651 Arts 25th Anniversary Season, Black Dance: Traditions and Transformation series, the program will run two-nights at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, tonight and tomorrow, December 6-7, 2013. Scott Patterson will play live the original eclectic piano score-composed by Patterson, Brandon McCune, Jonathan Melville Pratt and Kurt 'KC' Clayton.

Society for the Performing Arts (SPA), Houston's leading performing arts presenter, has the perfect gift at the perfect price for Houstonians and their loved ones this holiday season. SPA will launch the '12 Days of Tixmas' on Thursday, Dec. 12, a social media campaign highlighting a different performance with a different discount offer for 12 days in a row. The special offers will run daily through Monday, Dec. 23.

Company XIV and The Saint At Large present the New York Premiere of Nutcracker Rouge, conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick, with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs. Nutcracker Rouge runs Off-Broadway from November 30, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Minetta Lane Theatre, located at 18 Minetta Lane between MacDougal Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Previews begin November 30 for a December 4 opening.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off a five-week holiday season tonight, December 4thwith a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. 27-time Grammy award-winning music icon Quincy Jones and actress Gabrielle Union will serve as the evening's Honorary Chairs.

Marie-Christine Giordano found her passion in Switzerland as a teen; a series of unexpected events brought her to the U.S. dance capital.

Tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guests are actress and playwright Terry Burrell and actor, producer, and choreographer Lawrence Leritz.

American Repertory Ballet's Nutcracker production is celebrating 50 consecutive years this coming holiday season. It is one of the longest-running Nutcracker productions in the United States, and is the longest-running in New Jersey. Today, November 30, 2013, directly following the 4:30pm performance at McCarter Theatre, American Repertory Ballet will hold a celebratory reception at The Nassau Club in Princeton.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies and New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the New York City Center stage for the 42nd consecutive year from December 4, 2013 – January 5, 2014 with exciting performances that have become a joyous holiday tradition. Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to expand the Company's diverse repertory with premieres and new productions representing a wide range of important choreographic voices giving Ailey's extraordinary group of artists new ways to inspire audiences, including:

American Repertory Ballet's 50th Annual Nutcracker production will come to State Theatre on Friday, December 21 and Saturday, December 22 at 1:00pm and 4:30pm. These performances feature Tchaikovsky's score played live by an orchestra under the direction of Maestro Michael Pratt, and vocals by the Princeton Girlchoir. In addition to ARB's 50th Nutcracker milestone, State Theatre is also celebrating its own 25th year.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The COCA Calendar of events, including classes, workshops, and auditions.

Hubbard Street Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton and Terence Marling, Director of Hubbard Street 2 (HS2), encourage early-career and professional dancers, male and female, to audition for 2014-15 season contracts with Hubbard Street's main company and HS2.

The Ailey Extension offers fans nationwide the chance to take the magic of dance from the stage to the studio with a FREE class at Ailey's home - The Joan Weill Center for Dance. This special 'Ticket to Dance' promotion offers a complimentary Ailey Extension class with a ticket stub from any Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater or Ailey II performance around the nation, including the Company's New York City Center season running December 4th - January 5th.

The Ailey Extension offers fans nationwide the chance to take the magic of dance from the stage to the studio with a FREE class at Ailey's home - The Joan Weill Center for Dance.