Isaiah Day

Surface Magazine - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts Rockefeller Center’s First-Ever Dance Film

Surface Magazine - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts Rockefeller Center’s First-Ever Dance Film

In 1931, construction began on Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan—the beginning of a city within the city. That year, groundbreaking dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey was born in Rogers, Texas. With “Rise,” the first-ever dance film anchored in the New York City landmark, the work of Alvin Ailey soars across Rockefeller Center, from its storied observation level to the gilded sculpture of Prometheus and even the elevated gardens of Radio Park. In the short, seven dancers, styled in looks from New York designers like LUAR and Collina Strada, translate signature Ailey choreography to “Baddy on the Floor,” a rousing sonic collaboration between Jamie xx and Honey Dijon.

ABC7 - Alvin Ailey dancers help expose Chicago students to the arts

ABC7 - Alvin Ailey dancers help expose Chicago students to the arts

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater helped expose Chicago students to the arts at the Auditorium in the Loop. With philanthropic giving dwindling and federal grants cut, Chicago schools and those across the country are struggling to find the arts. On Thursday, hundreds of Chicago students saw a performance in-person and got a glimpse of possible careers in the arts, as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returned to the city. The mini performance at the Auditorium was much more interactive than a traditional performance. Nearly 1,500 Chicago students were asked to help cue lights and sets, and students rehearsed a few moves.

Dance Magazine - Introducing Our 2025 “25 to Watch”

Dance Magazine - Introducing Our 2025 “25 to Watch”

Where is the dance field headed next? The dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies on our annual “25 to Watch” list offer heartening, imaginative, exciting possible answers to that question. Whether or not you’re already familiar with these up-and-comers, our editors and contributors from across the dance world predict that we’ll be hearing a lot more from these artists on the verge of a breakout in 2025 and beyond.