Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returned to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ David H. Koch Theater for a six- performance engagement that caps a decade of Artistic Director Robert Battle’s leadership. Ailey’s acclaimed dancers brought to life four diverse, dynamic programs featuring the world premiere of Ailey Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts’s In a Sentimental Mood, the company premiere of Paul Taylor’s DUET, Alvin Ailey’s The River, a Battle 10th Anniversary program, and more. Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations provides the uplifting finale of each performance.
On Thursday, June 16, the Ailey Spirit Gala honoring Verizon and sponsored by Diageo raised funds that are vital to scholarships for talented students of The Ailey School and Ailey’s innovative Arts In Education & Community Programs. In addition to showcasing the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the benefit performance included the rising stars of Ailey II, gifted young dancers from The Ailey School, and blossoming students from AileyCamp—all performing works by Robert Battle in celebration of his 10th anniversary as Artistic Director. A soirée on the promenade follows the performance.
The inspiring finale for each performance is always Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations. Since its creation in 1960, Revelations has been seen by more audiences around the world than any other modern work, inspiring generations through its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring spirituals. Springing from Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the south and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich African American cultural heritage and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition. Learn more about the visionary choreographer’s life in Jamila Wignot’s acclaimed Ailey documentary, now streaming on Hulu and PBS Passport.
In 1958, Alvin Ailey and a small group of dancers took the stage in New York and forever changed American dance and culture. One of the country’s groundbreaking greats, the Company inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African American cultural experience and the modern dance tradition. Now in its seventh decade, Ailey continues to move forward under the leadership of Robert Battle.
Click here for a Revelations Encore clip
Tickets to Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Ahead of the Lincoln Center engagement, Ailey brought its “real classes for real people” to Times Square for a series of free outdoor workshops by Ailey Extension instructors. Each Friday at 5pm from May 6 through June 17, fun for all unfolded with participatory, high-spirited dance sessions, ranging from the iconic choreography of Ailey’s Revelations, to West African dance, mambo, and more at the Crossroads of the World. Marking Ailey’s first-ever classes on Broadway, the public was invited to move and groove through this series culminating during NYC Dance Week with two dance events on June 10 and 17.
Through August 31, Ailey ticket holders are welcome to join in the dance and take their first class for free at Ailey Extension with the “Ticket to Dance” promotion, either in-person at The Joan Weill Center for Dance—New York’s largest building dedicate to dance—or online from the comfort of their homes. Students of all experience levels can select from a wide range of “real classes for real people,” including dance and fitness techniques like hip-hop, Zumba®, Horton, yoga, West African, Pilates, ballet, Masala Bhangra, and more styles taught by Ailey’s elite instructors. A full schedule of classes is available at alvinailey.org/extension.
