Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returning to Birmingham Hippodrome

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular dance companies, will return to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time in six years and present two exhilarating programmes on 23 & 24 September during its autumn tour 2016.

Founded in 1958, the company is recognised by the U.S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World." Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's performances celebrate the human spirit through the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. In almost six decades, Ailey's artists have performed for over 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents and continue to wow audiences and critics around the world.

Artistic Director ROBERT BATTLE said: "I'm proud to continue Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's legacy of extensive international tours with my inaugural visit leading the Company's extraordinary dancers through the United Kingdom. I'm excited for audiences old and new to experience the uplifting performances that have inspired people the world over, fulfilling Mr. Ailey's belief that 'Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people.'"

The programme will include UK premieres by some of today's most acclaimed choreographers: the uplifting Exodus by hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris; the spiritual journey of Four Corners by Ronald K. Brown; and the Cuban-inspired Open Door by Ronald K. Brown. Company UK premieres include the dreamlike duet After the Rain Pas de Deux by Christopher Wheeldon and the passionate homage to tango's Argentinian working class roots in Piazzolla Caldera by Paul Taylor.

Drawing the evening to a close will be Revelations by Alvin Ailey. The beloved crowd-pleaser, the most widely-seen modern dance work in the world, will be performed by the incomparable Ailey dancers. Revelations premiered in 1960 and continues to bring audiences all around the world to their feet.

Birmingham Hippodrome's Artistic Director and Chief Executive FIONA ALLAN commented: "We're so excited to be welcoming Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their fourth visit to the Hippodrome. I've been lucky to see them live on many occasions - both in the UK and in their home city of New York- and truly think they are one of the most compelling and inventive dance companies anywhere in the world.

"The Hippodrome is one of the best stages for dance in Europe, and so seeing one of the world's greatest companies perform here is a real treat. It's no wonder we remain committed to presenting world class dance here in Birmingham- over spring we are bringing companies and dancers from Taiwan, Canada, France, Argentina, the Netherlands , as well as the Birmingham Royal Ballet's Shakespeare Season and farewell performances by ballet superstar Carlos Acosta. Autumn will see our co-presentation of Vamos Cuba- incredible dancers and musicians from Havana. For me, Alvin Ailey is the icing on the cake of an unforgettable year- I can't recommend this company highly enough."

The Ailey BIRMINGHAM 2016 programmes, which is subject to alteration, will be as follows:

Programme A: Exodus / Four Corners / After the Rain Pas de Deux / Revelations

Programme B: Open Door / Piazzolla Caldera / Revelations

UK Premieres

Exodus (2015) Choreography by Rennie Harris / Music: Original compositions by Raphael Xavier, "A New Deal" by Ost & Kjex. Acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie (Lorenzo) Harris created a work that explores the idea of "exodus" - from one's ignorance and conformity - as a necessary step toward enlightenment. Set to gospel and house music along with spoken word, the work underscores the crucial role of action and movement in effecting change. Exemplifying his view of hip hop as a "celebration of life", Exodus marks Harris' latest invitation to return to spiritual basics and affirm who we are. His previous contributions to the Ailey repertory include Home (2011) and Love Stories (2004), Judith Jamison's dynamic collaboration with Harris and Robert Battle.

Four Corners (2013) Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown / Music: Carl Hancock Rux, Yacoub & Various Artists. Four Corners brings to life the vision of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds. Drawing inspiration from the lyrics of Rux's Lamentations, Four Corners trails 11 dancers as they rise to seek a life of peace on the "mountaintop"; a powerful and hope-filled journey of tribulation, devotion and triumph.

Open Door (2015). Choreography by Ronald K. Brown / Music: Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Acclaimed choreographer Ronald K. Brown's Cuban-inspired Open Door is a work for 10 dancers set to the music of Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, including their recent Grammy-Award winning album Cuba: The Conversation Continues. Brown's travels to Cuba inspired much of the movement, from the salsa partnering to the references to Elegba - the Santería god who opens pathways. A testament to the power of dance and music as vehicles for culture and compassion, Open Door marked Brown's sixth work for the Company.

Company UK premieres

After the Rain Pas de Deux (2005 / Ailey Company Premiere 2014) Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon / Music: Arvo Pärt. An instant hit at New York City Ballet in 2005, Christopher Wheeldon's dreamlike duet - praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering - is revealed in a fresh light as the Ailey dancers make it their own. Set to music by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, the sensual male?female pas de deux has resonated deeply with audiences and marked the first work by Christopher Wheeldon to enter the Ailey repertory.

Piazzolla Caldera (1997 / Ailey Company Premiere 2015) Choreography by Paul Taylor / Music: Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy Peterburshsky. Set to music by Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy Peterburshsky, Piazzolla Caldera is a finely wrought work sizzling with erotic energy by modern dance master Paul Taylor that captures the essence of tango culture. Men and women engage in a series of fiery encounters, in turns playful and predatory, in vivid duets and trios through the work's four sections, in this passionate homage to tango's Argentinian working class roots.

Ailey Classic

Revelations (1960) Choreography by Alvin Ailey / Music: Traditional Spirituals. More than just a popular dance work, Revelations has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans. An American classic acclaimed as a must-see for all, Alvin Ailey's signature masterpiece is a tribute to his heritage and genius. Using African-American spirituals, the work fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. Seeing Revelations for the first time or the hundredth can be a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering, singing along and dancing in their seats from the opening notes of the plaintive I Been 'Buked to the rousing Wade in the Water and the triumphant finale, Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.

• Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB
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