BWW Reviews: The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Comes to Charlotte - Don't Miss It

THE Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER is in Charlotte at Blumenthal Performing Arts, Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 South Tryon Street until Sunday, May 20, 2012. Tickets on sale now at the Blumenthal Box Office: 704-372-1000

I saw the program. It was inspiring and uplifting. The cohesive choreography included "Arden Court," "Home," "Journey" and "Revelations." The dancers performed with a controlled strength, gliding, leaping and soaring.

The program celebrates the power of dance including ballet, hip-hop and modern dance with an African-American soul including songs that sing spiritual and gospel. A side note, I would have appreciated live musicians interpreting the music. The program takes us through the recesses of our inner core, sometimes disquieting, sometimes ethereal. "Revelations," a program favorite (seen more worldwide than any other ballet,) shows the human spirit coming up from adversity. The staging and choreography are beautiful. "Take Me To the Water" with white costuming and blue streaming quivering silks, symbolize water, baptism and renewed spirit. In the yellow section in "Move Members Move," the women show strength; the men are proud.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater started in the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York, led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers. Over fifty years later, now led by Artistic Director, Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has sustained a heightened relevance. Don't miss it!

Program Descriptions: May 17 at 7:30 p.m., Ailey's "Memoria"; Robert Battle's "Takademe" and "The Hunt"; "Revelations." ?May 18 at 8 p.m.: Ailey's "Streams"; Ulysses Dove's "Urban Folk Dance"; Ohad Naharin's "Minus 16"; "Revelations." May 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.: Paul Taylor's "Arden Court"; Rennie Harris' "Home"; Joyce Trisler's "Journey"; Ailey's "Revelations." May 20 at 3 p.m.: Ailey's "Memoria"; Robert Battle's "Takademe" and "The Hunt"; "Revelations."