Alvin Ailey News

American Repertory Ballet will kick off its 2013-14 season at Rider University's Bart Luedeke Center Theater in Lawrenceville, NJ today and tomorrow, September 20 and 21 at 7:30pm. ARB's Fall Kick-Off production features Artistic Director Douglas Martin's critically acclaimed Rite of Spring, Patrick Corbin's lyrical Caress, ARB Resident Choreographer Mary Barton's vibrant Five Men and a Concerto, and an excerpt from Martin's Romeo and Juliet. The program presents repertory appealing to a wide variety of tastes, showcasing the diverse range of American Repertory Ballet's dancers and choreographers.

As Houston's leading performing arts presenter, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) has announced its 2013-2014 season filled with music, dance and family entertainment from the world's best artists and companies.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) and Brooklyn's 651 ARTS partner together to present a dynamic conversation between Legendary dancer/choreographer Bill T. Jones and internationally renowned dancer, choreographer Gregory Vuyani Maqoma that falls inline with NBT's 45th Season of "Moving the Legacy Forward." The conversation will happen on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 7PM. The discussion, entitled "History, Memory and the Creative Process," will focus on the creative process of making a dance work based on biographical and historical narratives. National Black Theatre's CEO, Sade Lythcott will moderate the conversation, which will be held at the NBT located at 2031 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10035. Tickets to this event are with a suggested donation of $10.

Over 400 guests attended Westport Country Playhouse's annual fundraising gala, 'Sophisticated Lady: A Gala Evening Honoring Phylicia Rashad,' on Monday evening, September 16. In addition to honoring the Tony Award-winning actress, arts advocate and philanthropist Howard J. Aibel of Weston was presented with the Westport Country Playhouse Leadership Award. Scroll down for photos from the big event!

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet is pleased to announce that Rachelle Scott is the first company dancer to win the Princess Grace Award. Scott will receive her award at the annual Princess Grace Awards Gala held in the presence of HSH The Princess of Monaco on October 30, 2013 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

Mikhail Baryshnikov serves as the Honorary Chairman for Uptown Downtown, a special one-night-only extravaganza to benefit the Abrons Arts Center on October 14. Bringing together the brightest lights of New York City's uptown and downtown performance scenes, the evening will feature Kyle Abraham, Joey Arias, Jack Ferver + James Whiteside, Ellen Greene, Robert La Fosse, Bebe Neuwirth, Philippe Petit, and other special guests. Lance Horne serves as Musical Director.

Stephen Pier has achieved a uniquely rich and varied career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. His credits as a performer include many years with the Jose Limon Dance Company where the New York press hailed him as '...one of the most gifted dancers on the modern dance scene today.' He went on to become a leading soloist with the Hamburg Ballet in Germany, performing the title roles in John Neumeier's Othello and Saint Matthew's Passion, and creating numerous other major roles during his nine years with the company. As a member of the Royal Danish Ballet for six years, Mr. Pier had the privilege of dancing leading roles in works of Bournonville, Balanchine, MacMillan, Bejart, and collaborating with many of Europe's finest contemporary choreographers.

Ailey II embarks on a 31-city world tour from September 17th through March 28th with 24 domestic cities including Kansas City, MO; Baton Rouge, LA; Columbia, SC; Memphis, TN; and Birmingham, AL. The international portion of Ailey II's tour takes the dancers to Poland, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Canada (full schedule on page two).

Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents Hubbard Dance Street Chicago on Sat, Sep 21 at 8:00 pm at the State Theatre as the opening performance in the 2013-14 Northrop dance season.

American Repertory Ballet will be kicking off its monthly On Pointe Enrichment Series with their annual 'Meet the Company' event today, September 13, 2013 at 12:00pm, noon, at Princeton Ballet School - 301 North Harrison Street (above McCaffrey's supermarket in the Princeton Shopping Center). On Pointe events are usually held at 5:15pm. This is a special lunch-hour On Pointe in light of the beginning of Yom Kippur this evening, September 13, 2013.

Alonzo King LINES Ballet makes its Harris Center debut, performing Meyer, a new work to a score by Edgar Meyer, and Resin. With his bold, abstract poetry of movement, Alonzo King explores a new understanding of what dance can be. Since 1982, Alonzo King's original choreography has been brought to life by the extraordinary LINES Ballet dancers, in performances critics have called, 'Stunning, fierce and evocative.'

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” returns to South America after 15 years with a robust schedule of 20 performances and a variety of educational activities for area students. The first visit to South America led by Artistic Director Robert Battle includes engagements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at Cidade das Artes from September 11-15, São Paulo, Brazil at Credicard Hall from September 19-22, and Buenos Aires, Argentina at Teatro Coliseo fromSeptember 26-29. Bloomberg is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's international tour to Brazil.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World,"returns to South America after 15 years with a robust schedule of 20 performances and a variety of educational activities for area students. The first visit to South America led by Artistic Director Robert Battle includes engagements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at Cidade das Artes from September 11-15, São Paulo, Brazil at Credicard Hall from September 19-22, and Buenos Aires, Argentina at Teatro Coliseo from September 26-29. Bloomberg is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's international tour to Brazil.

New York City Center has announced full casting for the New York premiere of Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY, which runs October 23 - November 3, 2013 at City Center (West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

The Morrison Center announces its signature Velma V. Morrison Family Theatre Series. This series presents an opportunity for families in Boise and throughout the greater Treasure Valley to experience the magic of live, professional entertainment at affordable prices in a one-of-a-kind facility. Research demonstrates that children who study and experience the performing arts are not only better students, but also more civic minded, productive adults. In three carefully chosen events, parents and children will be astonished, amused, touched, educated and astounded. As the premier performing arts center of Idaho, the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts is committed to providing the community with opportunities to visit the Center in order to introduce the next generation to the magic of theatre. The Family Theatre Series will help provide access and opportunity to those in need at all socio-economic levels via affordable ticket pricing, group and ticket discounts and a limited supply of complimentary tickets to qualified non-profits that served children and families in need.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff/Artistic Producer) will present three free staged readings of 'Cookin'!', a new musical by Debra Barsha and Hollye Levin, with musical director Gillian Berkowitz, directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett. The readings will take placeon Wednesday, September 25 @ 6pm and Thursday, September 26 at 1:00pm and 5pm, at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street. Tickets are free and reservations are available via email at boxoffice@amasmusical.org or by calling 212-563-2565.

Dance Currents presents "One Hundred Years of Modern Dance' on Saturday, September 28, 10AM at the Underground Theater, 7 Medford St., Arlington, Mass., with workshop to follow in Modern Technique/Repertory.

Move over Justin Timberlake-Glenn Douglas Packard is now the guy bringing Sexyback!

Randy James' all male dance company, 10 Hairy Legs, is featured as part of The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College's Major Artist Series on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 3:00 pm.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced the directors for the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, Hank Williams: Lost Highway (October 11-November 3, 2013) will be Michael Serrecchia. The Game's Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) (December 13- January 5, 2014) will be directed by Robin Armstrong. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (January 24-February 16, 2014) will be directed by Emily Scott Banks. Spunk (April 11-May 4, 2014) will be directed by Akin Babatunde.Good People (June 6-29, 2014) will be directed by Rene Moreno and Dogfight (July 25-August 17, 2014) will be directed by Terry Martin.