Press Contact: Christopher Zunner
212.405.9028 / czunner@alvinailey.org
ALVIN AILEY® AMERICAN DANCE THEATER’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TRAVELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
50-CITY GLOBAL TOUR ON THE MOVE TO 26 U.S. CITIES
Anniversary Season World Premieres - Festa Barocca by Mauro Bigonzetti and
Go In Grace by Ailey Company Member Hope Boykin with
Live Onstage Performances by Sweet Honey In The Rock
New Productions of George Faison’s Suite Otis and Alvin Ailey’s Masekela Langage
and Blues Suite, the Ballet that Launched the Company in 1958
Anniversary Highlights Special Program Celebrating the Genius of Alvin Ailey
(New York) January 8, 2009 — Following a celebratory New York season, which opened with a December 3rd Golden Anniversary Gala with Oprah Winfrey as Honorary Chair and Honored Guest, and the Empire State building shining in golden tribute, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will now bring the beauty, power, passion and artistry that are its hallmarks to audiences across the United States. As part of a 50-city global tour in celebration of the Ailey company’s 50th Anniversary, a 26-city U.S. tour will begin February 3rd at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center and continue through May 24th with visits to Atlanta, GA; Tucson, AZ; Berkeley, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ and other cities.
Led by renowned Artistic Director Judith Jamison, the Company will present a diverse repertory of exciting premieres, dramatic new productions, revered classics, and repertory favorites. The Ailey company member Hope Boykin’s Go in Grace; an innovative collaboration with Grammy-Award winning female a cappella musical group Sweet Honey In The Rock, who will perform their original score live onstage with the dancers, will be performed in 10 different cities including Atlanta, GA and Newark, NJ. Acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti was so inspired by the dancers that he cast the entire company in Festa Barocca, his first world premiere for an American modern dance group, and one of the rare occasions to see all the Ailey artists together on the stage.
New productions of historic works from the Ailey repertory will be shared with today’s audiences: Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Blues Suite, first seen at the Company’s premiere performance in 1958, brings to life “blood memories” of rural, Depression-era Southern Texas poignantly evoking the sorrow, humor and humanity of the blues; Suite Otis (1971), by Tony-Award winning choreographer and former Ailey company member George Faison, is ripe with the romance and humor of young lovers out on the town in a sizzling suite of dances to the timeless songs of Otis Redding; and Alvin Ailey’s Masekela Langage (1969), presents a searing portrait of oppression set to the music of Hugh Masekela’s dynamic trumpet.
A retrospective of Alvin Ailey’s phenomenal choreographic career will be presented in a new Anniversary Highlights program that includes excerpts of over a dozen ballets. Spanning each decade, from Blues Suite, the dance that launched the Company in 1958, to Opus McShann, his final piece thirty years later, the program will also include his masterpiece Revelations in its entirety.
In addition to performances, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will also share its mission of bringing dance back to the people by presenting special student performances and master classes for young people. Ailey will also implement Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach curriculum program in public schools, including Atlanta, Boston, New York, and Chicago thanks to the J.P. Morgan National Art of Learning Sponsorship. This program utilizes Alvin Ailey's signature work, Revelations, as the inspirational framework for a comprehensive study of language arts, social studies, and dance.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 – A Golden Anniversary Celebration, a short film commemorating the Company’s rich 50-year history, will open most performances throughout the tour. Ailey’s 18-month 50th Anniversary celebration includes International and U.S. performances in 50 cities along with special projects, events and commemorative merchandise, including: Hallmark Ailey greeting cards; Ailey Ascending, a photographic art book, by Andrew Eccles; Ailey Movado Museum Time Piece; A Young Ailey Dancer, a children’s book by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey; and an Ailey Barbie® Doll.
Ailey has performed in over 70 countries on 6 continents, becoming the most-traveled dance company and recognized by US Congressional resolution as a vital “American Cultural Ambassador to the World.” Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1958, the Ailey company’s inspiring performances honor and enrich the African American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition, uniting people of all backgrounds in a celebration of the human spirit through the universal language of dance.
J.P. Morgan is the National Art of Learning Sponsor.
Citi provides major support for the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation’s
Arts In Education and Community programs.
Altria Group provides major support for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s New Works Fund.
MetLife Foundation provided leadership support for “Go in Grace.”
Movado Group provided major support for the new production of “Blues Suite.”
American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
The 2009 North American Tour is sponsored, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts.
TOUR REPERTORY
World Premieres
Festa Barocca
Choreography: Mauro Bigonzetti
Music: George Frideric Handel
Acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti brings his highly dramatic style, complex partnering and seamless integration of classical and modern styles to the Ailey repertory in his first time choreographing for an American modern dance company. Bigonzetti explains, “I discovered choreography when I met Alvin” as a young dancer with Aterballeto performing classic Ailey works. Bigonzetti was so inspired by the Ailey dancers’ emotional intensity and technical prowess, he cast the entire company in this world premiere - a rare and special occurrence.
Go in Grace
Choreography: Hope Boykin
Music: Sweet Honey in the Rock (original composition & performing live onstage)
Company member Hope Boykin weaves a gentle, affecting tale of community, family and growth that illustrates the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” Boykin casts the dancers and singers as members of a society who unite to move a young girl forward in wisdom and grace to a commissioned score composed and performed live onstage by Sweet Honey In The Rock. Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, this Grammy-Award winning female vocal ensemble possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the multifaceted sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip hop, ancient lullabies and jazz improvisation.
New Productions
Anniversary Highlights Program
A new program featuring excerpts of over a dozen ballets spanning each decade of Alvin Ailey’s revered career, from beloved works to rare gems not seen in 3 decades. Beginning with Blues Suite, the dance that launched the Company in 1958 to Opus McShann, his final piece thirty years later, and closing with the classic Revelations in its entirety, this stunning retrospective demonstrates the tremendous range and resonance of one man’s genius. Additional excerpts included are from Streams (1970), Choral Dances (1971), Mary Lou’s Mass (1971), The Lark Ascending (1972), Hidden Rites (1973), Night Creature (1975), Cry (1971), Phases (1980), Landscape (1981), For “Bird” – With Love (1984), Caverna Magica (1986),
Blues Suite (1958)
Choreography: Alvin Ailey
Music: Traditional
Blues Suite marked the launch of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at its premiere in 1958, and defined Mr. Ailey’s choreographic genius in presenting real people on the concert dance stage. With the rumble of a train and the toll of distant bells, a cast of vividly-drawn characters from the barrelhouses and fields of Alvin Ailey’s southern childhood are summoned to dance and revel through one long, sultry night, poignantly evoking the sorrow, humor and humanity of the blues. Dance Magazine wrote, “Blues Suite galvanized the crowd and announced the arrival of a major choreographer. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Masekela Langage (1969)
Choreography: Alvin Ailey
Music: Hugh Masekela
Renowned South African trumpeter and composer Hugh Masekela’s driving music propels the dancers through a string of theatrical tableaus in Alvin Ailey’s searing portrait of oppression set in a South African “shebeen” (bar). Drawing parallels between the era of South African apartheid and the race-induced violence in Chicago during the 1960s, the commanding choreography speaks of passivity, militancy, despair and defiance anywhere, at any time. “Masekela Langage does not look dated, and may have actually grown in its expressive power over the years,” wrote Dance Magazine.
Suite Otis (1971)
Choreography: George Faison
Music: Otis Redding
The timeless music of pioneering soul singer Otis Redding sets the stage for former Ailey company member and Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison’s playful battle of the sexes. The yearning sensuality of soul stirring songs such as “Satisfaction,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and other favorites burst through this wildly popular six-part suite of dances ripe with romance and humor.
Ailey Classics
Night Creature (1975)
Choreography: Alvin Ailey
Music: Duke Ellington
Combining modern dance, classical ballet and jazz, and juxtaposed within Ellington's jazz idiom, Night Creature captivates with Ailey's sexy nocturnal rituals that propel the movement into a fast paced climatic catharsis. Duke Ellington first composed the phenomenal, "Suite For Orchestra" in 1955, later adding the second and third movements in 1963. Night Creature is the definitive Ailey homage to the exuberance of The Duke's jazz, and remains one of Mr. Ailey’s most popular works.
Revelations (1960)
Choreography: Alvin Ailey
Music: Traditional
Alvin Ailey said that one of America’s richest treasures was the cultural heritage of the African-American—“sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful”. This enduring classic is a tribute to that heritage and to Ailey’s genius. Using African-American religious music--spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues--this suite fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.
Repertory Favorites
Solo (1997)
Choreography: Hans van Manen
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach
Hans van Manen divides his kinetic Solo among three dancers in a tour de force work that challenges the Ailey
men’s daring agility and grace. This explosive display of virtuosity and wit launches the men into an exhilarating
whirlwind of movement and musicality.
Treading (1979)
Choreography: Elisa Monte
Music: Steve Reich “Eighteen Musicians”
In Elisa Monte’s sculptural, mesmerizing duet, the man and woman in Monte’s ballet come together in fluid, intricate movements that combine with Steve Reich’s evocative music to create an aura of mystery and sensuality.
Unfold (2005)
Choreography: Robert Battle
Music: Gustave Charpentier, sung by Leontyne Price
Inspired by and set to Leontyne Price’s intensely romantic recording of Gustave Charpentier’s aria, this powerful duet captures the intensity of one’s first love. Previously, Robert Battle’s choreography has been seen in two works in the repertory of both Ailey II and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
TICKETS & FURTHER INFORMATION
Detailed performance US 2009 Tour schedule & programming attached. Programs are subject to change.
For additional information on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s schedule, repertory, and 50th Anniversary, please visit www.alvinailey.org
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, recognized by the US Congressional resolution as a “Vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” was founded in 1958 and has performed for more than 21 million people in 71 countries and on 6 continents. Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. is the umbrella organization which includes Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Ailey II, founded in 1974 as a junior performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School, founded in 1969 and currently offering some of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs which is committed to bringing dance into the classrooms, communities and lives of people throughout the world; and The Ailey Extension, a program that offers dance and fitness classes to the general public at Ailey’s permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, located at 405 West 55th Street (at 9th Avenue), New York, NY.
2009 United States Tour Schedule & Programming
(as of 1/26/09)
Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center Opera House - 202.467.4700 / kennedy-center.org
Tues 2/3 7:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 2/4 student perf. 11:00am ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Wed 2/4 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Thurs 2/5 student perf. 11:00am ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Thurs 2/5 7:30pm SUITE OTIS / MASEKELA LANGAGE / REVELATIONS
Fri 2/6 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 2/7 matinee 1:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 2/7 evening 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sun 2/8 matinee 1:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Kalamazoo, MI Western Michigan University Miller Auditorium - 800.228.9858 / millerauditorium.com
Tues 2/10 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Wed 2/11 student perf. 11:00am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Detroit, MI Opera House - 313.237.7464 / motopera.org
Thurs 2/12 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Fri 2/13 student perf. 11:00am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 2/13 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 2/14 matinee 2:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 2/14 evening 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 2/15 matinee 2:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Atlanta, GA The Fox Theater - 404.817.8700 / foxtheatre.org
Thurs 2/19 student perf. 10:30am ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Thurs 2/19 7:30pm BLUES SUITE / CLASSIC AILEY HIGHLIGHTS / REVELATIONS
Fri 2/20 student perf. 10:30am ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 2/20 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 2/21 matinee 2:00pm BLUES SUITE / CLASSIC AILEY HIGHLIGHTS / REVELATIONS
Sat 2/21 evening 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 2/22 matinee 3:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Ft. Worth, TX Bass Hall - 817.212.4280 / basshall.com
Tues 2/24 7:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 2/25 student perf. 11:00am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Wed 2/25 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Tucson, AZ Centennial Hall - 520.621.3341 / uapresents.org
Fri 2/27 8:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center - 520.621.3341 / uapresents.org
Sat 2/28 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sun 3/1 3:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Berkeley, CA Zellerbach Hall - 510.642.9988 / calperfs.berkeley.edu
Tues 3/3 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 3/4 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Thurs 3/5 student perf. 11:00am ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Thurs 3/5 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Fri 3/6 student perf. 11:00am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 3/6 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sat 3/7 matinee 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 3/7 evening 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sun 3/8 matinee 3:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Santa Barbara, CA The Arlington Theater - 805.963.4408 / thearlingtontheatre.com
Tues 3/10 8:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 3/11 10:30am SUITE OTIS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Wed 3/11 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Palm Desert, CA McCallum Theater - 760.340.2787 / mccallumtheatre.com
Fri 3/13 8:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Escondido, CA California Center for the Arts - 914.251.6200 / artcenter.org
Sat 3/14 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / UNFOLD, REVELATIONS
Sun 3/15 matinee 2:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Los Angeles, CA Music Center Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - 213.972.7211 / musiccenter.org
Wed 3/18 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Thurs 3/19 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Fri 3/20 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 3/21 matinee 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 3/21 evening 7:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 3/22 matinee 2:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall U of TX at Austin - 512.477.6060 / utpac.org
Tues 3/24 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 3/25 student perf. 11:00am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Wed 3/25 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Houston, TX Jones Hall - 713.227.4772 / spahouston.org
Fri 3/27 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 3/28 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 3/29 2:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Chicago, IL Auditorium Theater - 312.902.1500 / auditoriumtheatre.org
Wed 4/1 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Thurs 4/2 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Fri 4/3 student perf. 11:00am SUITE OTIS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 4/3 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Sat 4/4 matinee 2:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 4/4 evening 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Sun 4/5 matinee 3:00pm NIGHT CREATURE, UNFOLD / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Naples, FL Philharmonic Center for the Arts - 800.597.1900 / thephil.org
Tues 4/14 8:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Miami, FL Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House - (305) 949-6722 / www.arshtcenter.org
Thurs 4/16 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Fri 4/17 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sat 4/18 matinee 2:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 4/18 evening 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Sun 4/19 matinee 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Chapel Hill, NC Memorial Hall UNC - 919.843.3333 / carolinaperformingarts.org
Tues 4/21 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 4/22 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Greenvale, NY Tilles Center PA - 516.299.3100 / tillescenter.org
Fri 4/24 student perf. 10:30am NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 4/24 student perf. 1:00pm NIGHT CREATURE excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 4/24 evening 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 4/25 1 hour matinee 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS excerpt***, REVELATIONS
***Good Morning Blues, I Cried, Lark Ascending, Caverna Magica, Jumpin’ the Blues
Sat 4/25 evening 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Boston, MA Opera House - 617.931.2787 / bostonoperahouse.com
Tues 4/28 7:30pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 4/29 8:00pm SUITE OTIS / MASEKELA LANGAGE / REVELATIONS
Thurs 4/30 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Fri 5/1 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Sat 5/2 matinee 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 5/2 evening 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Sun 5/3 matinee 3:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Newark, NJ NJPAC - 1.888.466.5722 / njpac.org
Fri 5/8 student perf. 12:00pm SUITE OTIS excerpt, REVELATIONS
Fri 5/8 8:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sat 5/9 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / TREADING, REVELATIONS
Sun 5/10 matinee 3:00pm GO IN GRACE* / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Albany, NY The Palace Theater - 518.476.1000 / palacealbany.com
Tues 5/12 7:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Amherst, MA UMASS Fine Arts Center - 413.545.2511 / umass.edu/fac/centerwide/tickets
Wed 5/13 7:30pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Cleveland, OH The Palace Theater - 1.866.546.1353 / playhousesquare.com
Fri 5/15 8:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sat 5/16 8:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 5/17 3:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Louisville, KY Kentucky Center for the Arts - 800.775.7777 / kentuckycenter.org
Tues 5/19 7:30pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Wed 5/20 7:30pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
Charleston, SC Gaillard Auditorium - 843.579.3100 / spoletousa.org
Sat 5/23 7:00pm BLUES SUITE / SUITE OTIS / REVELATIONS
Sun 5/24 2:00pm ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS, REVELATIONS
Sun 5/24 8:00pm FESTA BAROCCA / SOLO, REVELATIONS
(Student Performance Anniversary Highlights program - excerpts from Opus McShann, The Road of the Phoebe Snow, and Three Black Kings)