The Prudential Foundation is funding Newark's first AileyCamp, a summer camp that embodies Prudential's belief in arts education as a means of revitalizing struggling communities while educating the future work force.
Who's who when it comes to the most important private funders of New York City's unparalleled cultural offerings? The list would be long. But it would have to include these power patrons of the arts.
For 15-year-old Mikayla Lambert this summer hasn't been what most girls her age would consider awesome. Instead of sleeping late, she wakes up each morning at 8:30.
Dance teacher Wayne Williams stood at the lip of the Newark Arts High stage, his back to the two dozen black-clad students lined up behind him. "Where are your hands?" he asked over his shoulder. "Out" they shouted. "Chin?" he called. "Up," they said. "Stomach?" "In," they replied a few giggles distupting their perfect unison.
2011 Ailey at the Apollo Spring Gala at the Apollo Theater
When a school is a training ground for a company, its performances offer an interesting opportunity to see the way technique and performance styles are forged. On Wednesday night the Alvin AIley School presented its Spring Celebration Concert at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, and the senior students who too pride of place were remarkable for the ardent sincerity of their demeanor as well as the excellence of their dancing.
Yes, absolutely, there was a great deal of pomp and circumstance (ball gowns, black ties, a red carpet and celebrities), because after all, it was time for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater annual spring gala at the world famous Apollo Theater to celebrate and support dance education under the Ailey umbrella.
Sylvia Waters is the Artistic Director for Ailey II, the junior company of the renown Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which she has led since its inception in 1974. Waters was hand-picked by Alvin Ailey to lead the new venture and under her direction Ailey II has grown into a powerful company in its own right.
The air was filled with anticipation last Saturday afternoon as the near-capacity audience filed into the Academy of Music for the first of three weekend performances by the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
It's a simple concept: American express wanted to find a way to help its cardmembers give back to the organizations doing good in the world. In 2007, UNICEF received $2 million to help provide clean water in four African countries.