During the pandemic Alvin Ailey kept the dance going with virtual "Ailey All Access." They are finally back to Pittsburgh after 20 years. Their show was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will bring 2 new works and "Revelations" choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1960, to Pittsburgh on Tuesday May 9, 2023. For tickets go to trustarts.org.
Revisit April 2020 post:
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.
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| 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.”
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.”
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| 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
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