Linda Celeste Sims knows a thing or two about the Alvin Ailey classic Revelations. The Bronx native is a former Ailey American Dance Theater principal dancer and one of the longest tenured dancers to ever perform with the company.
As a Black New York native, I first heard the name Alvin Ailey when I was very young, even as someone not necessarily inclined toward the performing arts. The pioneering African American dancer, choreographer and activist came up in Texas in the violent Jim Crow South, where he recalled seeing members of the Klan. Eventually, he found his way to California to work on his craft, and then New York City
The annual DC Gala Benefit of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater coincided with the company's week-long residency at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
As Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates its 65th anniversary year, the organization has embarked on an initiative to honor the legacy of its founder, Alvin Ailey, by providing free educational resources through PBS.
Acclaimed choreographer Alvin Ailey infused his life story and Black cultural roots into his modern dance works, which have been enjoyed by millions since he first founded Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 in New York City. Early dances such as Revelations remain favorites in the company repertory today, but many people don’t know the background of the artist, who died in 1989.
A class unto itself: Seeing a performance of Alvin Ailey is a transformative experience and the Benefit Dinner and After Party for the weeklong engagement of the Company was a great success.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has graced stages across the world for 65 years. Portia discusses the history of dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey with the people who know him best. Nasha Thomas serves as the National Director of the AileyCamp and Amos Machanic Jr. teaches dance under the Ailey brand. The duo come to the table along with a few students from the AileyCamp to talk about the Alvin Ailey legacy.
The one- night-only Ailey Spirit Gala, which benefits the Ailey organization’s extensive educational and training programs for young people, was held for the first time at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the evening celebrated the art and soul of dance. A powerful new piece created specifically for the occasion by choreographer and former Ailey company member Hope Boykin featured Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II dancers, students from The Ailey School, and youngsters from AileyCamp, the organization's dance and personal development summer enrichment program.
ou gotta realize that there ain’t no party like The Ailey Spirit Gala! For the first time The Ailey Spirit Gala was held at the beautiful Jazz at Lincoln Center on the evening of May 24th in Manhattan. The spectacular one night only benefit was a celebration of the art and soul of dance to benefit Ailey’s uplifting programs for young people including scholarships for talented students of The Ailey School and Arts In Education & Community Programs.