Alvin Ailey

May 5 2011

She possessed a dancer's presence

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.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Mar 31 2011

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.

Mar 24 2011

New variations on "Revelations" taught

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.

Mar 2 2011

Antelope Valley dance and yoga teacher

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.”

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Feb 25 2010

Beauty in motion-Alvin Ailey Dance Company

There are few things that truly express of the beauty of motion in the human body, dance is one of them. And the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the personification of beauty in motion and dance.
If you’ve never seen this Company, or if it’s been a long time since you’ve seen the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, then make it a point to get your tickets for their exclusive Southern California engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center – Segerstrom Hall, March 2 – 7.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.