By Clarissa Hamlin
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s upcoming North American tour and season premiere on Nov. 28 in New York summons a creative, hypnotic energy into the air.
Suddenly, dancers inspire us through cultural expression and ever-evolving performances. Center stage is artistic director Robert Battle adding onto the more than four decades-worth of Ailey’s acclaimed repertoire with new “choreographic voices.” He raises his own in Strange Humors, an intense duet powered by composer John Mackey’s African drumming and Middle Eastern folk music.
Next, sought after and young choreographer Kyle Abraham joins in with the world premiere of Another Night (set to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers‘ rendition of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia”). Abraham presents the many purposeful facets of American dance.
Renowned European choreographer JiřÍ Kylián’s ballet, Petite Mort, adds a “breathtaking sensuality” in its debut, says public relations director Christopher Zunner in a press release. And Tony-award winning choreographer Garth Fagan’s From Before commingles African dance rhythms and Caribbean influences and a “jazzy percussive” score in its Ailey premiere.
Returning are Ronald K. Brown’s spiritually-charged Grace, and Ailey Classics, a lively anthology of Mr. Ailey’s 30-year seminal professional journey, featuring crowd pleasers like Cry, Love Songs, and For ‘Bird’ With Love. And last season’s hits — Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16, Paul Taylor’s Arden Court, Rennie Harris’ Home, and Battle’s The Hunt — are in full effect.
Commemorations are in the works for executive director Sharon Gersten Luckman and Ailey legend Renee Robinson, who will lead all Revelations performances until bidding farewell on December 9.
And for those spectators inspired to dance? Ailey offers a free class with a ticket purchase from any of its company or school performances nationwide.
Note: Alvin Ailey’s New York season runs through Dec. 30. And the company will embark on a North American tour in 2013. Go to AlvinAiley.org for more information.
[Photo 1: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Antonio Douthit and Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Andrew Eccles]
[Photo 2: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Rachael McLaren. Photo by Andrew Eccles ]
