Witness the final weeks of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's enchanting 2019-2020 holiday engagement at New York City Center. Upcoming highlights include holiday performances on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day; an assortment of special programs; and a one-night-only season finale on what would have been Alvin Ailey's 89th birthday.
On Tuesday, December 17th Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater reveals the company premiere of Camille A. Brown's City of Rain. This quietly lyrical piece honors the struggles and grace of a deceased friend, showing a different facet of the choreographer than Ailey audiences have seen in her previous works for the Company. Dedicated to Greg 'Blyes' Boomer, the work for 10 dancers is set to an original composition by Jonathan Melville Pratt entitled Two Way Dream. A recipient of numerous honors, including a 2014 Bessie Award for Outstanding Production for the work Mr. TOL. E. RAncE (Camille A. Brown & Dancers), Ms. Brown choreographed Broadway's Choir Boy (TONY nominee for Best Choreography), the TONY Award-winning revival of Once On This Island, and the Emmy Award-winning television special, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. [There are five more chances to see City of Rain this season: Dec. 20 eve, 21 eve, 27 eve, Jan. 1 eve, 5 mat.]
Ailey Extension is spreading joy to the dance world with themed workshops to keep everyone in the holiday spirit. Over the next few weeks all are welcome to take part in festive workshops tied to the joyous season and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's holiday engagement through January 5, 2020 at New York City Center. Dancers can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Matthew Johnson Harris' HoliSLAY Hip Hop Cardio Dance Party and jump start their New Year's resolutions sweating it out at a Zumba Holiday Dance Party with Richard Martinez; or practice walking into the new year with confidence at a Runway & Vogue workshop with Pose on FX stars Dominique A. Jackson and Jason Rodriguez and discover the secrets of feeling powerful at an Absolute Beginner Heels workshop with Jessica Castro. Let the spirit of Ailey's holiday performances provide motivation to learn Ailey's signature style at Intro to Ailey Classics with Sarita Allen and explore Mr. Ailey's genius as a choreographer at Celebrating Alvin Ailey with Judith Jamison.
After experiencing a performance like last night's one yearns for another 1000 years of revelations. In keeping with honouring the affiliated school's anniversary, it feels comforting to know that there is a clear pipeline for keeping the company strong. Here's to a continued vision of strength in 2020.
On Tuesday, December 10th, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues its holiday season with a celebration of The Ailey School's 50th anniversary, honoring its standard of excellence for providing exceptional training to more than 3,500 students annually. This special evening features students performing alongside the Company in Alvin Ailey's Memoria and Revelations.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater announces programming for a historic night at Ailey celebrating Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya on Sunday, December 22nd at 7:30pm at New York City Center. Previously, Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, shared the news that the Company's beloved mainstay for nearly five decades, Mr. Chaya, intends to retire on January 5, 2020, at the conclusion of the Company's New York City Center season. Having joined the Company in 1972 as a dancer, Mr. Chaya performed under Mr. Ailey's direction for 15 years, subsequently assumed responsibility for rehearsing the Company-a role for which Mr. Ailey had cultivated him-and for more than 28 years, as Associate Artistic Director, has maintained the repertoire, handled innumerable creative decisions, and guided generations of the Company's dancers.
In honor of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary Celebration, happening now through December 30th at New York City Center, the corresponding dance school, The Ailey Extension, is offering a variety of deals for those wanting to move into 2019 with grace.
In celebration of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary, Ailey Extension invites people to experience the life, legacy, and artistry of Alvin Ailey through intimate panels and workshops led by his illustrious former dancers. Sylvia Waters will moderate the Growing Up with Alvin Ailey Legacy Panel on December 10, featuring former Ailey stars Sarita Allen, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, and Desmond Richardson as they share personal stories, individual experiences, and life lessons learned during their tenure dancing for the legendary founder. On January 5, what would have been Alvin Ailey's 88th birthday, Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison leads an exclusive Celebrating Alvin Ailey Workshop to share cherished memories of Mr. Ailey and teach some of his most well-known choreography.
Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, with iconic film stars Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson as honorary chairs. Prudential Financial received the Ailey Legacy Honor for their generous support and commitment to Ailey, especially its education and community programs. The award was presented by Battle and Christopher Taylor, an alumnus of the inaugural AileyCamp Newark (2011) and a current scholarship student at The Ailey School, and accepted by Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact at Prudential Financial.
When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African-American modern dancers first took the stage in 1958, appearing at New York City's 92nd Street Y, the engagement was for one night only—but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the performing arts. Mr. Ailey became one of the groundbreaking greats in African American history, while the work of his Company grew beyond the limits of the stage to encompass education at all levels, community outreach and cultural diplomacy. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater now embodies six decades of achievement, celebrating the human spirit with performances that unite and inspire all.
Paige Fraser, a beautiful and talented dancer with severe scoliosis, is currently dancing with Visceral Dance Chicago. I was fortunate to see her perform with this company on January 18, 2018, at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, NYC. She appeared in each of the five pieces performed. Even knowing about her disability, it was not obvious that she is dealing with scoliosis. Her passion for dance and performance is evident.
Ailey Extension welcomes leading dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to teach three special workshops during the company's New York City Center holiday season (November 29 - December 31).
To celebrate Women's HERstory Month in March, Ailey Extension presents two workshops to promote health awareness and empower women of all shapes and sizes.
To celebrate Women's HERstory Month in March, Ailey Extension presents two workshops to promote health awareness and empower women of all shapes and sizes. On Tuesday, March 14th at 7 p.m. three of Ailey Extension's top dance and fitness instructors - Sarita Allen, Karen Arceneaux, and Sarah Rozek - lead a Women's Health and Fitness Day workshop. On Saturday, March 25th at 7 p.m. Pretty BIG Movement's founder and CEO Akira Armstrong instructs the Move Your Curves workshop designed for voluptuous, plus-sized women.
Elisa Monte Dance, an emotionally charged and highly acclaimed dance company that champions individuality, announces its 35th anniversary season and gala, March 2-5, at City College Center for the Arts' Aaron Davis Hall. The season pays tribute to the company's eponymous director who will present the world premiere of Pangaea. The season will also foreshadow the future artistic vision of the company with two world premieres by Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who will take over as artistic director at the close of the 2015-16 celebratory season. Rea-Fisher will premiere Newton's Cradle and Current and also return to the stage for a special solo performance of Monte's signature work Run to the Rock. Rea-Fisher, who retired from performing with the company in 2010, is among another 20 alumni who return for a tribute alumni finale of Shattered, a high-speed work first performed at the Joyce Theater in 2000.
Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! – featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance – the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60. They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by Broadway World's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico), Lillian Colon (RCMH's first Puerto Rican Rockette) Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.
Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! - featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance - the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60. They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge.
Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! – featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance – the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60. They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by Broadway World's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico), Lillian Colon (RCMH's first Puerto Rican Rockette) Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.
Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! - featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance - the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60. They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico), Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's special holiday engagement features matinee and evening performances on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve Celebration (tonight, Dec. 31 at 7pm) ringing in 2015 with beloved Ailey stars of the past and present.
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