Linda Celeste News

The New York Dance and Performance Awards (The Bessies), NYC's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, announced tonight the complete list of 2013-14 season award recipients. The Bessies, produced in partnership with Dance/NYC, were held at the legendary Apollo Theater at 7:30 p.m., following red carpet interviews and photographs with the nominees in attendance. NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray gave opening remarks, and Lisa Kron, whose hit musical Fun Home will make its Broadway debut this year, hosted the evening.

NEW YORK, September 30, 2014 - The New York Dance and Performance Awards (The Bessies), NYC's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, announced today the host of the anniversary ceremony that is to be held at the legendary Apollo Theater. Broadway playwright, actress and 1993 Bessie awardee Lisa Kron will host the 30th Annual Bessie Awards. Produced in partnership with Dance/NYC, the awards will take place October 20, 7:30 p.m. Nominees will arrive starting 6:00 p.m. for Red Carpet press interviews and photo opportunities.

Classes for Kids and Teens are back this September at The Ailey Extension in conjunction with the new school year and National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Starting Sunday, September 7th, tailor-made classes will bring dance and fitness to young people, including: Tiny Steps, a unique experience for 2-year-olds, Hip-Hop 4 Kids (ages 7-11), and the Teen Extension Series (ages 12-17), with ballet, jazz or hip-hop. Weekly classes are taught in a “no-pressure” environment allowing students to gain confidence not only in their dancing abilities, but in themselves.

The New York Dance and Performance Awards (The Bessies), NYC's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, celebrates a milestone 30th anniversary this year. Today, the 36 nominees for the 2013-14 season were announced at a press conference by members of The Bessies Selection Committee. The nominations (listed below) were selected by an independent committee of 40 dance industry professionals. Produced in partnership with Dance/NYC, Bessie Award categories include Outstanding Performer, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Visual Design, Outstanding Music Composition or Sound Design and Outstanding Revival.

So you've decided you want to see Alvin Ailey this holiday season- now what? There are so many different numbers and performances, so where do you start? Which night do you go? How do you choose? After going to Alvin Ailey two weekends in a row, I was amazed at how much the two nights differed and, after recommending the show to my friends, I decided I should help out by giving a brief description of what to expect on oncoming nights to help you pick the night that's best for you.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater fall happenings include AMC's Low Winter Sun appearance, Fall for Dance Performances & more.

On June 12, 2013, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular dance companies, kicked off its seven performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater. The performance marked the Company's historic return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the first time in over a decade and its first engagement there led by Artistic Director Robert Battle. Scroll down for photos from the opening festivities!

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presents Ronald K. Brown's newest work, Four Corners. Set to the music of Carl Hancock Rux, Yacoub, and various other artists, the work brings to life the vision of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds. The Ailey dancers have become known as inspiring interpreters oF Brown's unique dance storytelling and the opening night world premiere cast will include Linda Celeste Sims, Belen Pereyra, Glenn Allen Sims, Demetia Hopkins, Hope Boykin, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Jacqueline Green, Kirven James Boyd, Daniel Harder, and Michael Francis McBride.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle has announced casting for the Company's return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts at the David H. Koch Theater from June 12-16, 2013. He has also invited three new dancers to join and perform with the acclaimed 30 member Company during the seven-performance engagement.

After three decades lighting up the stage, this week marks the final seven appearances of Renee Robinson, who will be leading all performances of Alvin Ailey's modern dance classic, Revelations, until she takes her final bow with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in a farewell program on Sunday, December 9th at 7:30pm.

In celebration of 50 years of Revelations, The Ailey Extension invites intermediate to advanced level dancers to learn excerpts of the classic ballet from the experts!

On Wednesday, December 15th Ailey kicked off a week-long dedication to America's two greatest art forms - Jazz and modern dance. Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in live musical performances highlighting the works of legendary composers, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The Company's remarkable artistry brought these spellbinding sounds to life in Alvin Ailey's renowned work, Three Black Kings and the captivating ballet, The Winter In Lisbon by Billy Wilson. The week's performances also included repertory favorites such as Artistic Director Designate, Robert Battle's In/Side and works by Ulysses Dove and Hans van Manen. BroadwayWorld was on hand for Three Black Kings and brings you photo coverage below.

In celebration of 50 years of Revelations, The Ailey Extension invites intermediate to advanced level dancers to learn excerpts of the classic ballet from the experts!

Ailey's season celebrating five decades of the timeless classic, Revelations, kicked off last night with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Chairs Robin Roberts and Alfre Woodard. The night honored Joan Weill on her 10th anniversary as Chairman of Ailey's Board of Trustees and helped raise $2.7 million for Ailey's programs for children and young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Artistic Director Judith Jamison expressed sincere gratitude to Joan Weill for her dedicated leadership and passionate commitment to furthering Ailey's mission of inspiring and educating through dance.