Rennie Harris News

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, America's beloved cultural ambassador to the world, returns to stages on a coast-to-coast National Tour starting January 28 in Philadelphia, kicking off Black History Month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on February 1 ,  and traveling to cities like Atlanta, Miami, Berkeley, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles before the finale in Newark on May 8.

Dancer Michael Jackson, Jr. of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater talks inspirations, anticipations, and coming back from Covid lockdown in advance of the company’s first tour stop at Philadelphia Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music. Mr. Jackson first joined the company in 2011 after working with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Philadanco.

The acclaimed Ailey American Dance Theater returns February 1-6 to the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, led by Robert Battle on his 10th anniversary as Artistic Director, with seven performances featuring a mix of new productions, a D.C. premiere, and enduring favorites.

From January 11 through May 8, audiences across the country will have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary artistry of Ailey with a cornucopia of performances and programs, including two national tours—by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II—as well as the nationwide broadcast of the acclaimed documentary film AILEY, with its immersive portrait of dance pioneer Alvin Ailey, and the continuation of Ailey All Access, the organization's digital programming for all audiences.

American Masters: Ailey is a portrait of the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), a trailblazing pioneer who founded his influential studio Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 at age 27. Using previously unheard audio interviews recorded in the last year of Ailey’s life, the documentary presents the his journey in his own words.

he Joyce Theater Foundation announced today the full lineup of U.S. and international talent that will grace The Joyce’s storied stage for its Spring/Summer 2022 season. Nearly two dozen companies and dance creators will bring their unparalleled creativity and astounding artistic innovation to the iconic, intimate home for dance in New York City.

The season features premieres, favorites, and a “greatest hits” retrospective of Robert Battle’s choreography. Battle 10th Anniversary is a sample platter of current Artistic Director River Battle’s decade in that role. Like a master chef, the selections of his dance offerings spanning ten years are palatable and varied yet complimentary. 

We had the pleasure of interviewing Lloyd A. Boyd III about his career and the season ahead for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for our 'Dancer Spotlight.'

​​​​​​​Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will launch a three-week homecoming season on December 1 with a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. 

Join company members from Rennie Harris Puremovement for a FREE, high impact Master Class at TM Productions, featuring the company's expertise in various Street dance styles from Hip-hop to house. Participants are expected to have intermediate dance experience or above.

Part of NMAAM's Fine Tuning Masterclass Series, 'The History of Hip-Hop Dance' includes a 45-60-minute interactive presentation on the history of various Street dance styles including Hip-hop, house, and B-boy. Dancers of Rennie Harris Puremovement will perform demonstrations for the audience.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center’s Principal Dance Company and America’s beloved cultural ambassador to the world, returns to the stage for a much-anticipated annual season in their “home” theater December 1–19, 2021.

Kimmel Cultural Campus has announced the much-anticipated return of in-person performing arts across their venues: the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater. On September 18, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Kimmel Cultural Campus will host a grand reopening event in Commonwealth Plaza to celebrate the start of the 2021-22 season.

Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville today announced its lineup of dynamic programming for the 2021-22 season, which features dance, theater and multimedia performances by influential contemporary artists and ensembles from around the world, as well as groundbreaking national and local artists.

Five of New York City’s most acclaimed dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—will perform on the same stage at the first BAAND Together Dance Festival in Damrosch Park as part of Restart Stages.

President Biden has just signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday, and while that news is enough to celebrate, there are plenty of theatrical festivities going on this weekend to keep the party going. BroadwayWorld has pulled together a list of what you can watch from home!

In observance of Juneteenth, Ailey All Access will present a program of conversation and dance, speaking to the enduring power of the human spirit and extending Alvin Ailey’s legacy of artistic activism.

The New York-based orchestra is made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in jazz music today. Free tickets are required for entry; ticket reservations will be open for request on Monday, June 7 at 12:00PM ET.

Ballet Hispánico, the nation's renowned Latinx dance organization recognized last year as one of America's Cultural Treasures, announces the appointment of Linda Celeste Sims as its new Rehearsal Director. Sims returns to the Company after beginning her dance journey as a student and Company dancer at Ballet Hispánico. She steps into the new role following a 24-year accomplished career at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in addition to recent remote teaching positions at Marymount College, Ailey Extension, as well as Ballet Hispánico.

Shirley Ubell, modern dancer, dance therapist, and founder and longtime artistic director of the nonprofit Center for Modern Dance Education (CMDE), in Hackensack, New Jersey, died on April 11 in Lafayette, Calif., at the age of 93.