Axis Dance, MLK Celebration, Alvin Ailey and More Set for NJPAC's 2015-16 Dance Lineup

As part of their 2015-16 season (visit NJPAC.org for complete listings), The New Jersey Performing Arts Center proudly presents the upcoming year in dance and performative movement.

"I'm so proud to lead Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to the world's great stages across the globe. One of the high points of our year is 'coming home' to NJPAC for performances each Mother's Day weekend," stated Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - NJPAC's Principal Resident Dance Company. "Prudential Hall's world-class stage is a perfect match for Ailey's extraordinary dancers. I applaud NJPAC for their exciting dance series and their role in bringing a variety of moving artistry to New Jersey audiences."

Along with the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, NJPAC is the site of the world premiere of choreographer Randy James' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Based on C.S. Lewis' beloved and magical novel, this work is performed by James' 10 Hairy Legs dance company, with special guests, on Jan. 30 and 31, 2016.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration has become a highlight of the Dance Theatre of Harlem performance season. Each year we bring the eclectic classicism of a company founded by Arthur Mitchell and inspired by the vision of Dr. King. It is an honor and joy to be part of NJPAC's dynamic dance series.

Dance events exclusive to NJPAC include the second-season return of The Hip Hop Nutcracker featuring Kurtis Blow on Dec. 19. The well-received, Tchaikovsky mash-up, co-commissioned by NJPAC last season, embarks on an inaugural national tour during the holidays.

Jersey Moves! Festival of Dance, which began as a showcase for five state-based companies, now encompasses Jersey (New) Moves!, a component for four emerging young choreographers to stage original works at NJPAC under the mentorship of well-known dancemakers.

On October 29, NJPAC presents Dancemakers on Diversity: Sharing Common Ground in a Multicultural Art, a remarkable gathering and conversation Nai-Ni Chen, choreographer and artistic director of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company; Carolyn Dorfman, artistic director of Carolyn Dorfman Dance; Virginia Johnson, artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem; Karen Love, founder and artistic director of Umoja Dance Company; Nasha Thomas, national director of AileyCamp (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater); and, Jennifer Weber, artistic director of Decadancetheatre. Admission is free.

In addition to the arrival of two classical troupes from the Soviet Union (State Ballet Theatre of Russia with Romeo and Juliet on Dec. 6 and Russian National Ballet Theatre with Cinderella on March 10, 2016), balletomanes can look forward to the physically inclusive AXIS Dance Company on Nov. 17, and encore engagements by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (May 6-8, 2016), Dance Theatre of Harlem (Jan. 15, 2016) and Kwanzaa Celebration: Forces of Nature Dance Theatre with special guest poet Sonia Sanchez on Dec. 19.

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NJPAC's 2015-16 Season Dance Programming:

Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández
Sunday, October 4 Doors 2:30pm / Curtain 3pm Prudential Hall Tickets: $39 - $79

Established over six decades ago by famed dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico de México has represented Mexico on the world's greatest stages in a breathtaking, colorful display of music and movement.

Audiences thrill to this award-winning company's wide repertoire, which is deeply rooted in Mexican folklore and history. Amalia Hernández was credited with incorporating classical and modern dance techniques into different forms of popular dance to create a unique and festive spectacular of dancers, musicians and vocalists.

For performance details, click here.

AXIS Dance Company
Tuesday, November 17 Doors 7pm / Curtain 7:30pm Victoria Theater Tickets: $20 - $35

Seen on So You Think You Can Dance!, AXIS Dance Company is one of the world's leading and most innovative ensembles of dancers with and without disabilities.

Paving the way for physically integrated dance, each year AXIS Dance Company shares its cutting-edge artistic and education/outreach work with thousands all over the world. AXIS exists to change the face of dance and disability. Founded in 1987, AXIS emerged at a time when the Disabilities Rights and Independent Living Movement were making strides and the dance community was beginning to open its doors to people with disabilities. Artistic Director Judith Smith has taken AXIS to new heights by collaborating with leading contemporary choreographers and composers, such as Bill T. Jones, Stephen Petronio, Meredith Monk and David Dorfman. With more than 75 works in its repertory, AXIS has toured major dance venues and festivals in more than 100 cities nationwide, Europe and the Soviet Union.

In association with Rutgers IECME

For performance details, click here.

Romeo and Juliet State Ballet Theatre of Russia
Sunday, December 6 Doors 2:30pm / Curtain 3pm Prudential Hall Tickets: $29 - $75

Shakespeare's timeless tale of tragic romance, set to music by Prokofiev, is danced by 55 of Russia's brightest ballet stars.
This full-length production of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Michael Lavrovsky of Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, brings a celebration of true love onto the stage and into our hearts. "Full of enchantment!" says The New York Times. State Ballet Theatre of Russia, founded by legendary dancer Maya Plisetskaya, is directed by award-winning dancer and Moiseyev Dance Company soloist Nikolay Anokhin.

For performance details, click here.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker with Special Guest MC Kurtis Blow
Saturday, December 19 Doors 2:30pm / Curtain 3pm Prudential Hall Tickets: $29 - $79

Last season's holiday sensation returns! Rap legend Kurtis Blow is special guest MC for this hip-hop holiday mash-up for the whole family.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker reimagines Tchaikovsky's classic score through explosive choreography. A dozen all-star dancers, DJ, violinist, and digital scenery bring the traditional Nutcracker story to life in a contemporary urban setting. This evening-length event celebrates love, community and the magic of New Year's Eve. One of the founders and creators of recorded rap, Kurtis Blow became the first rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979, at the age of 20. His gold album, The Breaks, helped ignite an international "Rap Attack." The Hip Hop Nutcracker is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber from the award-winning hip-hop company decadancetheatre. It is adapted to contemporary New York City by Mike Fitelson and set to The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, with hip-hop interludes remixed and re-imagined by DJ Boo and violinist Filip Pogády.

For performance details, click here.

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre A Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 19 Two Performances: 2pm and 7:30pm Victoria Theater Tickets: $29 - $45

Celebrate Kwanzaa with this daringly theatrical company, which combines the elements of modern and West African dance, ballet, hip-hop, and even martial arts.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with this daringly theatrical company, which combines the elements of modern and West African dance, ballet, hip-hop, and even martial arts. Visually inventive and creatively brilliant, the multi-ethnic dancers and drummers of Forces of Nature Dance Theatre perform one-of-a-kind programs that are "sizzling ... nothing short of sensational," says The Washington Post. Led by artistic director and choreographer Abdel R. Salaam, Forces of Nature has spearheaded a unique blend of performing arts for more than three decades. Trained in modern dance, ballet, jazz and traditional African dancing, Salaam works with traditional ritual and dance forms, moving beyond reproduction or reanimation to dance that is not simply African or Afro-American, but a vibrant expression of something newer.

For performance details, click here.

Dance Theatre of Harlem The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Friday, January 15, 2016 Doors 7:30pm / Curtain 8pm Prudential Hall Tickets: $25 - $79

Experience poetry in motion when the legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem, celebrating 45 years of passion, power and perfection, returns for this year's MLK Celebration at NJPAC.

NJPAC's annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration pays tribute to the life and legacy of one of the 20th century's most inspiring leaders. The year features the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem, the legendary ballet company founded as an artistic means to turn despair into hope following the assassination of Dr. King.