Central Park SummerStage Presents Two Days of Ailey 7/23, 7/24

City Parks Foundation proudly brings the SummerStage dance program to Central Park starting this Friday, July 23, 2010 as a part of the 25th anniversary season of SummerStage. During these two days, SummerStage is honored to host the world celebrated Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a special FREE two-day performance.

Who: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Artist Website: http://www.alvinailey.org/
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's favorite dance companies comes to SummerStage to show off the brilliant artistry and passionate energy that bring audiences around the globe to their feet night after night. What makes this phenomenal company so special is the incomparable sense of joy, freedom and spirit that the dancers and audiences share. Discover for yourself what millions of fans already know - you don't just see an Ailey performance, you feel it.

This engagement marks the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's return to Central Park, where their first sponsored SummerStage performance in 1993 yielded over 30,000 attendees and rave reviews. Alvin Ailey believed that "dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people." Join Ailey's acclaimed dancers in a moving celebration of the human spirit in their highly anticipated SummerStage homecoming performances this season.

Program:

Blues Suite (1958)

Alvin Ailey's Blues Suite, his first classic work seen at the Company's premiere performance in 1958, brings to life "blood memories" of rural, Depression-era Southern Texas. Poignantly evoking the sorrow, humor and humanity of the blues, with music performed live by Kenny Brawner and the Brawner Brothers Band.

Dancing Spirit (2009)

Ronald K. Brown pays tribute to Judith Jamison's profound influence with the 2009 premiere Dancing Spirit, set to music by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and War.

Revelations (1960)

Ailey's extraordinary artists will move audiences in an inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey's signature masterpiece Revelations, called a must-see for all people.

Where: Central Park, Manhattan

When: Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24 from 8:00 - 10:00 pm

About SummerStage
In June, 1986, Central Park SummerStage was launched with a free performance from Sun Ra and the Omniverse Jet Set Arkestra. In 1990, City Parks Foundation began programming free concerts in neighborhood parks under the name CityParks Concerts. In 2006, City Parks Foundation began CityParks Dance and CityParks Theater. Today, City Parks Foundation is combining all of these initiatives under the banner of SummerStage, a city-wide festival of over 100 music, dance and theater events in 16 parks in all five boroughs. It will be one of the largest, most geographical diverse and thematically broad festivals in the nation. Over 200,000 people are expected to attend the free festival.

For the most up-to-date scheduling and full line-up for all SummerStage programming, visit http://www.SummerStage.org
City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.