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Saturday, April 18, 2020

Day 367- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater-“Ailey All Access”-Weekly Free Performances



During this “stay home” period, I have been in search of new “art experiences.” New York based Alvin Ailey Dance Theater offers "Ailey All Access"- weekly full-length dance videos from their repertory every Thursday, Ailey dancer conversations on Instagram live every Wednesday and Saturday at 1 pm, and virtual dance classes.  This is an opportunity to experience this modern ballet dance company whose mission is to use “the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds” through dance. 



Company in Ode-Photo by Paul Kolnik
Reflection
I just discovered this company but  it was found in 1958 by dancer choreographer Alvin Ailey (current artistic director Robert Battle) and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018.  They have accomplished an extensive body of work though their interesting historical journey. Founder Ailey taught his dancers to “hold a mirror to society so the people can see how beautiful they are.” 
Watching from home -Diving
During this pandemic, I find comfort in art that celebrates the beauty of the human spirit. Last Thursday, I enjoyed Diving (by Judith Jamison) with it’s pulsating drum rhythms and soft visual palette of color and Revelations (by Alvin Ailey)  that used African-American traditional spirituals (watch Revelations here).

Ailey All Access heightens the dance experience by adding a brief commentary about each piece.  The upcoming weekly full-length ballet broadcasts are:
  •  April 16–19: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Rennie Harris' Lazarus 
  •  April 23-26: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Night Creature (using the jazz great, Duke Ellington’s score)              
  •  April 30–May 1: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Jamar Roberts' Ode
The  virtual world allows you to continue the journey of new experiences even during this pandemic. Alivn Ailey's  Pittsburgh  May 2020  performance was suspended due to social distancing guidelines but  Ailey All Access can uplift the spirits with a variety of dance videos until this intermission is over. It's dance that celebrates the beauty in the human spirit which is so needed during this unusual time.   

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