Alvin Ailey celebrates 50 years of Revelations
Three distinct programs showcase of the company
One of the world’s favorite dance companies, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will return to the music center for an unprecedented 10 performances, April 8-17. Presenting three powerful and memorable programs, the company’s brilliant artistry and passionate energy is expected to bring audiences to their feet night after night.
Program A, “21st Century Ailey” features compelling and exciting works from recent years including “Anointed,” which was choreographed by former Ailey company member Christopher L. Huggins; “The Hunt” choreographed by Robert Battle, who will succeed Judith Jamison as artistic director for the company; “The Evolution of a Secured Feminine” choreographed by Camille A. Brown, who is celebrating her second work staged for the Ailey theater; and “Revelations” choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself.
A short film will be shown prior to Revelations at every performance, giving audiences the opportunity to learn about the inspiration, meaning and significance of the modern dance masterpiece that is a tribute to Ailey’s genius and African American heritage.
Directed by Judy Kinberg, winner of seven primetime Emmy Awards, the documentary includes historic performance footage and rare interviews with Ailey and Jamison.
And all programs will include Revelations, which is celebrating 50 years as an enduring classic.
Program B, “All Ailey” features Ailey’s timeless masterpieces such as “Memoria,” which was inspired by Joyce Trisler, a choreographer friend of Ailey’s who died prematurely. The piece is in memory and celebration of her life. “All Ailey” will also showcase “Three Black Kings” and “Cry” the signature solo that Ailey created as a birthday present for his mother Lula Cooper.
Program C, “20 Years of Jamison” celebrates the phenomenal influence of Jamison, who is now in her final season as artistic director of the dance company. Her well-known work, “Love Stories,” which examines African American social dances of the past, present, and future; and “Forgotten Time” her moving piece dedicated to ancient rituals of love and tribal rites of passage, will be featured in this program.
The show will be held April 8-17 at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion located at 135 N. Grand Ave.
Tickets range in price from $25 to $105 and can be purchased on site at the box office.
On May 10, 1943, ballerina and choreographer Judith Jamison was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the younger of two children. Tall and lanky, she was enrolled in dance classes at 6 years old, where she began to exhibit grace and a dancer’s presence on stage. She also studied piano and violin, as well as classical ballet.
Center Dance Arts (CDA) and the Music Center hosted a fundraising gala in celebration of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater last Thursday in Los Angeles at the private residence of CDA Chair Mattie McFadden-Lawson and Music Center Board of Directors member Michael A. Lawson. The event honored renowned Ailey Artistic Director Judith Jamison, second from left and Ailey Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle, third from left. The are joined by Desmond Richardson, Debbie Allen, and Glorya Kaufman.
In anticipation of the upcoming Los Angeles engagement of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Music Center announced it will present RockaYourSoul: LA’s Celebration of Gospel, Dance and Ailey, a free, multi-dimensional cultural experience inspired by the heritage of the African American community.
In anticipation of the upcoming April performance of the Alvin Ailey performances at the Los Angeles Music Center, students at the Lou Dantzler Preparatory Middle School and the Douglass Marshall Academy Middle School recently had an opportunity to participate in a residency workshop and learn movements to the company’s 50-year-old signature production “Revelations.” The residency was part of the Ailey in the Schools education program.
Marcia Owens Johnson teaches classical ballet and yoga to anyone who will let her. Until she retired from corrections recently, that meant mainly children and inmates at Lancaster State Prison.
Johnson is almost 65, and has been either dancing or teaching dance for 58 years.
“I come from a long history of dance,” said Johnson. “My forte is dance. That’s where my desire and heart have always been.”
