New Pittsburgh Courier: For more than four decades, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has dazzled audiences in Atlanta, and the Company will move the crowd once again during this year’s return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre February 14 – 18, 2018. Six breathtaking performances will showcase the brilliance of Ailey’s 32 dancers, shine a spotlight on social issues with timely and topical works, and pay homage to love and legacy through two special programs: “A Night to Love” on a Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14, featuring a one-night-only program of duets celebrating love; and “MLK50: Celebrating the Legacy” on Friday, February 16, honoring the life and works of Atlanta’s greatest peacemaker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as the 50th anniversary of his death approaches in April.
4 comments:
Growing up in Atlanta and going to an arts high school in the suburbs of the city, we had many conversations in our dance and theatre classes about how incredible the connection was between Atlanta and Ailey. Throughout my time in high school, it was basically a given that everyone at our school, unless you were sick, hospitalized, or in rehearsal for a show, would go see the show when it came to the Fox, and I hate that it is something I am going to have to miss this year. From the expressiveness of Hope Boykin’s movement to the sharpness within Solomon Dumas’ rhythm, each dancer portrays something influential, something different, something important. Alvin Ailey was such an inspiration for young African American dancers, and his company continues to carry on that legacy, and I am so glad this can carry throughout Atlanta and inspire young black artists into dance.
This sounds like such an amazing program. I loved reading about the outreach the Ailey is planning on doing. Hopefully this will inspire children to dance and be involved in the arts. AileyCamp sounds like a wonderful way to introduce kids who may have not otherwise have the opportunity to dance, to professional dance training. However, I wonder if there is a way for the kids to return and continue having dancing lessons after the 6 week camp ends. Is there a potential for these kids to earn scholarships at Ailey or other local dance schools, or a continuation to the 6 week camp? Though it is wonderful that children will get 6 weeks of training, I wonder if that is there are further opportunities for them. Overall, this sounds like an amazing program and I hope that it continues for many years to come. Hopefully this will inspire one of the kids to become a professional dancer.
Ailey and Atlanta have an incredible bond that has been unique and special to the Atlanta art scene for as long as I can remember. They bring something to the table that is truly special and in combination with the Fabulous Fox theatre is a can't miss event for any Atlanta art admirer. I'm gonna miss seeing it this year. But that being said I'm excited for them as well as they return back to their home. I've had the wonderful pleasure of working with some of their dancers and visiting with their company. Alvin Ailey has done so much for Atlanta dance and so much for the people of Atlanta particularly in the young black community. The people that he has touched and the lives that he has changed are truly amazing. I hope that they are able to continue their growth and success far into the future as the reach out to more and more people with their camps and programs for young black artists.
This article, through describing Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre bond with the city of Atlanta, also describes Atlanta’s singular excellence. I have lived in Atlanta my whole life and I have recently really noticed just how wonderful the city is. It is so rich in arts and culture, specifically Black culture. Ailey really exhibits exactly what makes Atlanta so interesting through dance, and I am so glad this group is so loyal to the city. I have never gotten to see them perform, but if I get the chance I certainly will. However, they do more than just perform, which is why they are so great and good for the city and its inhabitants, especially young Black youth. Atlanta is a pretty diverse city, so I am glad that opportunities involving art and culture are there and open for people of all identities to take advantage of. I am so proud to be from Atlanta!
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