AILEY II to Premiere Two New Works in Columbus 10/30

On the heels of sold-out performances in Germany, Austria, and France, Ailey II makes its triumphant return to Columbus with an exciting program containing a world premiere, a company premiere, and a world-renowned Ailey classic. The evening's bill (subject to change) includes Shards, a work originally crafted for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater that is now making its company premiere with Ailey II; The Corner, a brand new work designed specifically for Ailey II that is making its world premiere; and Revelations, the timeless Alvin Ailey classic.

CAPA presents Ailey II at the Capitol Theatre (77 S. High St.) on Saturday, October 30, at 8 pm. Tickets are $35, $25, and $20 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. The Capitol Theatre Ticket Office will open two hours prior to the performance. Students between the ages of 13-19 may purchase $5 High Five tickets while available. This Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Shards (company premiere)
Donald Byrd's "Shards" is a skillfully crafted work, showcasing his eclectic and complex choreography. Set to music by Mio Morales, Byrd expertly combines passion and formality, creating the perfect company premiere for the stunning Ailey II dancers. Originally staged in 1988 for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The New York Times noted the choreography was "intellectually stimulating (and)...certainly kept one watching."

The Corner (world premiere)
Named one of Dance Magazine's coveted "25 to Watch" in 2009, innovative young choreographer Kyle Abraham created the exciting world premiere, The Corner, for Ailey II. Set to music by Donny Hathaway and popular rapper Common, Abraham recreates life on the street corner by utilizing a full ensemble of 12 dancers and blending contemporary hip hop movement with post-modern and ballet techniques.

Revelations (Alvin Ailey, 1960)
Alvin Ailey said that one of America's richest treasures was the cultural heritage of the African-American-"sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but... always hopeful." This enduring classic is a tribute to that heritage and to Ailey's genius. Using African-American religious music-spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues-this suite fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

About Ailey II
Ailey II is an exceptional company that merges the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers. Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Mr. Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Today, it has become one of the most popular dance companies in the US.

Under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters, Ailey II is comprised of the most promising students from The Ailey School and offers unique opportunities for artists to refine their technique while gaining invaluable performing and teaching experience during their tenure with the Company. Throughout its history, many Ailey II members have gone on to pursue successful careers as dancers, teachers, and choreographers with other professional dance companies, on Broadway, and in schools.

In recent years, Ailey II's distinctive repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Ulysses Dove, Lar Lubovitch, George Faison, Robert Battle, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's Artistic Director, Judith Jamison. Ailey II has also performed innovative works by emerging choreographers, including Thang Dao, Carlos Dos Santos, and Christopher Huggins. The Company's 2010-11 tour consists of performances in 35 cities across the US, and for the first time, an international tour with performances in France, Germany, and the UK. The Company has received numerous honors, awards, and proclamations in recognition of its residencies at major colleges and universities, as well as visits to elementary, middle, and high schools across the US.

www.alvinailey.org

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