ARTS . Arts Picks

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Fri., April 25, 8 p.m.; Sat., April 26, 2 and 8 p.m.; $24-$56, Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

by Janet Anderson

Published: Apr 22, 2008

dance


(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

In March 1958, fired-up African-American choreographer Alvin Ailey took his fledgling dance company to the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association stage in New York City to show anyone who cared to watch just what kind of dance he was making out of the American experience.

A lot of people turned up, and they've been returning in droves ever since. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater comes to the Academy of Music as part of its 50th anniversary celebration tour, which takes the troupe to 27 American cities. Since Ailey's untimely death at age 58 in 1989, his great star performer, Philly native Judith Jamison, has held the artistic director spot. But that changes soon, as Jamison recently announced her upcoming retirement in 2011. At that point, the now well-established legacy will officially move out of the founder's orb.

For inspiration, Ailey turned to his own Texas boyhood and "blood memories" of the blues, spirituals and gospel music. All of Ailey's choreography incorporates these elements, none more joyfully or famously than the spirituals-based Revelations, probably his greatest work.

Ailey's troupe remains the gold standard, the originator, the inspiration for generations of African-American dancers who followed, and for a world of admirers of every race and taste.

Fri., April 25, 8 p.m.; Sat., April 26, 2 and 8 p.m.; $24-$56, Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

 

Comments

this was a well written informational article that really helped, well done
by Earl on May 21st 2008 11:31 AM

hey
by Hamiltion on May 21st 2008 11:34 AM

hey so yeah, about the whole "h" thing, like i mean thats a bad situation for anyone ot be in and all you can do as a friend is try to be there for her and provide her with what she needs, but dont put any obligation upon yourself becuase all you can do is be there,,, you cant fix everything
by Miltion on May 21st 2008 11:36 AM

yeah i know i gave her a hug before i left n told her i was ther for her but im still worried
:)
by Hamilton on May 21st 2008 11:37 AM

yeah thats good, we can pray for her 2niteee =] im sure she'll be okayy..lol if any1 reads this theyll be likke wtf? so this is for them...."we are in school right now and theres a drama issue thing and we cant talk and so we found this thing where we can communicate threw comment..pretty smart right?" lol
by Milton on May 21st 2008 11:39 AM

haha yes milton is a smart "guy"
lol
yes we will
:)
by Hamilton on May 21st 2008 11:42 AM

lol, dude tongiht is going to be soooo much fun<33 i love wednsdays,,,,if you seriously didnt come with me i would of stoped going to church bc i hate like evreyone there,,they're like idk they leave me out and ughh idk lol but now that your here we cna start our own click and every1 will be hatin' cause they jelous lol yayyyyyyyyy
by milton on May 21st 2008 11:50 AM

oh yesss
haha ummm joey might brainwash sammie watch out
Tom says hi
by Hamilton on May 21st 2008 11:51 AM

tell tom i said hello lmfao.
dude "get away from sam!" lmfao...ohhh man lol we're good. were going to killllllll joey ugh this is gonnna be good=]]
by MIltion on May 21st 2008 11:57 AM

ok gotta go to luch bye bye
im soo hyper im gunna run circles around ur house
:)
by Halmilton on May 21st 2008 11:59 AM



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