Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Celebrates 50 Years of Revelations at Academy of Music, Feb. 26-27

FEBRUARY 8, 2011

Ailey’s Extraordinary Artists are led by Judith Jamison in Final Season, Joined by Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle

 

… [exemplifies] the remarkable variety of American dance…thrives on eclecticism – The New York Times

 

“Culture Ambassador to the World” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues the celebration of the 50 year anniversary of Alvin Ailey’s classic Revelations with performances Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2pm and 8 pm and Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 2pm at the Academy of Music.  This Philadelphia performance marks the homecoming of Philly native Judith Jamison who leads the dance group through her final season as artistic director, and will be joined by Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle.

 

The 24 North American city tour celebrates five decades of Revelations, an American classic with a short film shown prior to each performance as tribute to Ailey’s spirited modern dance masterpiece, as well as company premieres of Anointed by former Ailey member Christopher L. Huggins (2010), The Evolution Of A Secured Feminine  by Camille A. Brown (2007), The Hunt by Robert Battle (2001), repertory favorite Dancing Spirit  (2009) by Ronald K. Brown, and a new production by Judith Jamison Forgotten Time (1989).

 

“We are thrilled to share this exciting time in Ailey’s history,” said Judith Jamison. “We’re on a journey that began 52 years ago because of Alvin Ailey’s groundbreaking vision. His Revelations is a profound manifestation of how dance can celebrate the human spirit and impact our hearts and minds.   During this memorable season, as we welcome Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle, join my incredible dancers who are shining their light brightly as we begin another five decades of inspiring performances.”

 

“Working with Ms. Jamison and Ailey’s amazing dancers this season, and touring the world with the Company, has been truly amazing and humbling,” said Robert Battle.  “It is a privilege to share the gift of Ailey with Atlanta and to continue delivering on the promise of keeping The Company fresh, exciting and soul-stirring.”

 

Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are $26 to $72 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-790-5883.

 

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed international ambassadors of American modern dance traditions. The company, founded by Alvin Ailey in New York in 1958, has gone on to perform for an estimated 21 million people in 48 states, and 71 countries on six continents, including two historic residences in South Africa. In addition to presenting important works from the past and newly commissioned works by emerging choreographers, the company continues to perform several of Ailey’s 79 ballets, including Revelations, Night Creature and Cry. In all, the company has performed more than 200 works by over 70 choreographers, including Ulysses Dove, Karole Armitage, Uri Sands, and most recently, Twyla Tharp. The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, the umbrella organization that supports the company, also incorporates the company’s official school, which trains 3,000 students a year from 21 countries; a long-established junior troupe, Ailey II; and dance camps in seven American cities.

 

Over the last two decades, Judith Jamison, who was honored by First Lady Michelle Obama at the first White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison, has led Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to new heights around the world and into a permanent home—the nation’s largest building dedicated to dance.  Named to TIME’s 2009 list of the world’s 100 most influential people, she is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, the BET Honors, and the National Medal of Arts.   Jamison was discovered by Alvin Ailey at a New York audition for a TV special and joined his dance company in 1965, remaining for 15 years to great acclaim. Upon returning to support Ailey’s European tour in 1989, Jamison became the company’s artistic associate for the US tour and was shortly after named the company’s artistic director, following Ailey’s untimely death. During her tenure, the company has created a bachelor’s degree program with Fordham University, expanded its performance schedule, and built a $56 million headquarters in Manhattan. As Artistic Director, Jamison has choreographed 10 ballets, commissioned 20 Company premieres, 32 new productions, and 38 world premieres by choreographers including Ronald K. Brown, Robert Battle, Dwight Rhoden, as well as many others.

 

Artistic Director Designate, choreographer Robert Battle, will succeed Ms. Jamison after her departure on July 1, 2011 as Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  He will become only the third person to head the Company since its founding by Mr. Ailey in 1958. In announcing her selection, Ms. Jamison said that “choosing Robert Battle is the giant leap I want to take to ensure that this company stays vibrant in the future.” The Julliard alum has already had a long association with the Ailey organization, as a choreographer and an artist-in-residence. The fast-rising choreographer has created 11 ballets for the Ailey organization since 1999.

 

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center.  Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the University of the Arts’ Merriam Theater. Our mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience from throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

 

The 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Citi, and the Broadway 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Verizon, and American Airlines.  For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

 

Saturday, February 26, 2011 | 2pm and 8pm

Sunday, February 27, 2011 | 2pm

Academy of Music

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

 

Judith Jamison, Artistic Director

Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director

 

Saturday, February 26, 2011 | 2pm and 8pm

 

Anointed

Choreographer: Christopher L. Higgins

 

The Evolution of a Secured Feminine

Choreographer: Camille A. Brown

 

The Hunt

Choreographer: Robert Battle

 

Celebrating Revelations at 50 Film

Produced and Directed by Judy Kinberg

 

Revelations

Choreographer: Alvin Ailey

 

Sunday, February 27, 2011 | 2pm

 

Dancing Spirit

Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown

 

Forgotten Time

Choreographer: Judith Jamison

 

Celebrating Revelations at 50 Film

Produced and Directed by Judy Kinberg

 

Revelations

Choreographer: Alvin Ailey

 

KIMMEL CENTER, INC., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center.  Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the University of the Arts’ Merriam Theater. Our mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience which includes providing arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming.  The 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Citi, and the Broadway 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Verizon, and American Airlines.  For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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