Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns To ATL For Its 60th Anniversary Season

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre, February 21 - 24, 2019, as part of a 60th Anniversary North American tour, for six breathtaking performances that promise to uplift, unite and enlighten. Ailey's 32 incomparable dancers invite Atlantans to join in a celebration of Mr. Ailey through a variety of works celebrating his life and legacy. The engagement also includes a Family Matinee program on Saturday, February 23 at 2 p.m., which features a post-performance Q&A with the dancers.

The opening night program on Thursday, February 21 features Lazarus, a world premiere by hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris and the Company's first two-act ballet. Inspired by Mr. Ailey and addressing the racial inequities our nation has faced, both in 1958 when the company was founded and today, Lazarus is an ensemble work featuring a soundtrack that melds Nina Simone, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Michael Kiwanuka, Odetta, original music by Darrin Ross, and the voice of Alvin Ailey. Lazarus repeats on Saturday, February 23 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The Friday, February 22 program includes three exciting works: Ailey star Jamar Roberts' Member Don't Get Weary, a work about the blues created "as a response to the current social landscape in America," and set to the powerful music of John Coltrane; 2018 Dance Magazine Award recipient Ronald K. Brown's world premiere The Call, a quintet that seamlessly blends modern and West African dance styles in a joyous dance celebrating Mr. Ailey's guiding vision; and the return of the electrifying Juba, Robert Battle's first work choreographed for the Company back in 2003. This program repeats on Saturday, February 23 at 2p.m.

For one performance only, the Timeless Ailey program will bring over a dozen treasures from Mr. Ailey's rich body of work to the Atlanta stage on Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m. Excerpts from rarely seen gems, including Streams, Opus McShann, The Lark Ascending, For "Bird" - With Love, will be joined by perennial favorites like Memoria, Night Creature, and Cry.

The uplifting finale of each program will be Alvin Ailey's must-see masterpiece Revelations, which has been seen by more audiences around the world than any other modern work. Springing from Ailey's childhood memories of growing up in the south and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the African-American and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition. The American masterpiece was choreographed in 1960 when Alvin Ailey was only 29 years old and is as relevant now as ever.

When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African American modern dancers first took the stage at the 92nd Street Y in 1958, the engagement was for one night only-but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the performing arts. Mr. Ailey became one of the groundbreaking greats in African American history, while the work of his Company grew beyond the limits of the stage to encompass education at all levels, community outreach and cultural diplomacy. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater now embodies six decades of achievement, celebrating the human spirit with performances that unite and inspire all.

Tickets, starting at $29, are now on sale at The Fox Theatre box office, 660 Peachtree Street NE, www.alvinailey.org, www.foxatltix.com or by calling 855-285-8499. Atlantans can take advantage of a special holiday offer through December 24, with 20 percent off tickets priced $39 and higher.

 

Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta

In addition to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's captivating live performances, the Ailey organization is also excited for the continuation of Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta. The upcoming year's activities include auditions for The Ailey School's 2019 Summer Intensive and the 2019-2020 academic program on Sunday, February 24 at 12 p.m. (ages 11-15) and 2 p.m. (ages 16-25) at Atlanta Ballet; Ailey Experience workshops - taught by Ailey Extension instructors and former Ailey dancers - that teach students the rich history of Ailey's signature style; and Atlanta Ballet's AileyCamp, a summer program that helps underserved youth reach their full potential.

 

As the choreographer and cultural leader Alvin Ailey said, "Dance came from the people, and it should always be delivered back to the people." The goal of Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta is to engage Atlanta's vibrant cultural community through partnerships between Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - which has been performing in the city since the 1970s - and Atlanta-based cultural, civic and educational organizations.

 

Using dance as the centerpiece for engagement, the partner organizations present performances, classes and workshops for the public, education programs in schools, conversations with artists and civic leaders, and more. Destination Dance "connects the dots" between these various activities, bringing together all aspects of the organization (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Extension, and Ailey Arts In Education - including AileyCamp), and current partners AREA (Atlanta's Resource for Entertainment & Arts), Atlanta Ballet & Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, Atlanta public and private schools, Cultural Experience Project / Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs, Dance Canvas, ELEVATE Public Art Festival / Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs, The Fox Theatre, The Gathering Spot, Hammonds House Museum, High Museum of Art, National Black Arts Festival, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Reigning Victory Dance Studio, and Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. For more information, visit Destination.Dance.