Gifted with a mother's second sight, Catherine Johnson knew her daughter Jacqueline Green better than the child knew herself. In 2004, the eighth-grader insisted she had absolutely zero desire to study dance. "Oh, Mom," she said, rolling her eyes. "Why would I want to do that?"
What will make an audience return to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kick off another Spoleto Festival season? Will it be to see how Robert Battle, the newly anointed artistic director, will put his stamp on this cultural treasure of a company? Maybe.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater held a gala performance at the Apollo Theater at West 125th Street, followed by a dinner-dance in a tent.
Kirven James Boyd returns to Boston with the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the premiere of "Home" choreographed by Rennie Harris. The 27-year-old dancer grew up in Dorchester and Milton and attended the Boston Arts Academy.
Robert Battle was only 14 when he and his classmates were taken to see a concert by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It was there, in Miami, that he experienced his first live performance of Ailey's signature gospel-driven piece, "Revelations."
In July 2011, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater named Robert Battle as its new artistic director. The 40-year-old Miami native is only the third leader in the company's history: the formidable Judith Jamison took over the reins after Ailey's death in 1989, and Battle was her personal choice for passing on the torch when she retired last year.
In middle school, Sarah Daley came to Chicago's Auditorium Theater to see ALvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform. She left inspired, but never anticipating that a few years later, at 25, she would be getting ready to perform on that very stage as part of the acclaimed company.
When Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings its show to The Auditorium Theatre this week, it'll be the first time Gary native Renaldo Gardner dances in Chicagoland as a member of the legendary main Ailey company.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater arrives for its annual spring engagement at the Auditorium Theatre this week, marking the first time the internationally acclaimed company will appear here under its new artistic director, Robert Battle. Be prepared for two things: A continued devotion to tradition, a byword of this troupe from the start, but also several big, refreshing surprises.
Dancer Sarah Daley is living her dream as a new member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the 54-year-old modern dance company world-famous for celebrating African-American culture. Dancing with the Alvin Ailey company is something that Daley - a former resident of South Elgin and Bartlett, among other places - planned for at an early age.