The internationally renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) turned 50 years old this year. Last week, the troupe opened its annual month-long run at New York City Center with a star-studded fete attended by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tiki Barber, Al Roker and Andre Leon Talley. "Dance speaks to everyone.... And when Alvin Ailey spoke of the human spirit through dance, people listened – with their hearts and with their minds," Winfrey, a longtime supporter of the company, said.
She's not the only one heralding the company's efforts; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed Dec. 4 "Alvin Ailey Day" and the state's Governor David Paterson honored the company, while the United States Congress considers it "the nation's cultural ambassador to the world."
It has been a long and storied journey since their humble beginnings at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, breaking ground as an innovative marvel in modern dance mixing African expression, ballet and live contemporary music.
And 50 years later, the troupe is showing no signs of slowing down.
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Judith Jamison, Ailey's protégé and successor, has plans to move on as the company's Artistic Director in 2011, but the show must go on.A variety of 36 ballets, including world premieres, new productions, special anniversary programs, and live music celebrations are on tap for the new season.
In celebration of this golden anniversary, a special documentary film -- produced and directed by Amanda Rogers and Stephen Mann -- chronicling the jubilant journey of Mr. Ailey – who died 19 years ago – and the many dancers and choreographers who came along the way is being screened as a prologue before select performances for the City Center run.
Other highlights include:
-- The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis is set to accompany six performances of Mr. Ailey's own choreography to the repertoire of late music maestro Duke Ellington.
--'Go in Grace,' a new work by company dancer Hope Boykin, will be accompanied by the Grammy Award winning female a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock live onstage. The 30-minute ballet chronicles the familial path of a middle class couple and the rearing of their son and their daughter – narrated through the all natural sound and song of community elders.
-- Live music accompaniment during eight performances of the troupe's most seminal work, 'Revelations,' which is a tour-de-force paying homage to the roots of southern black culture juxtaposed with soul stirring gospel standards and negro spirituals.
Alvin Ailey's holiday season run at the City Center serves as the official season opener for the company, which will continue over the next year with International and U.S. performances in 50 cities.
And the elaborate celebration of dance has extended into commemorative merchandise, including Hallmark Ailey greeting cards, the Ailey/Celebration Calendar, the Ailey Barbie Doll, the Ailey Movado Museum Time Piece, and 'A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student,' a children's book by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey.
Of special note is the exquisitely crafted photographic art book, 'Ailey Ascending,' by the company's chief lensman Andrew Eccles. The larger-sized coffee table tome features a preface by the esteemed Ms. Jamison, foreword by acclaimed playwright Anna Deavere Smith, and introduction by noted writers Khephra Burns and Susan L. Taylor."What's beautiful about Alvin's legacy is that it's accessible and available to everyone today," Jamison said in a recent interview. "Keeping it alive is not the daunting task people make out."
Comments: (18)
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By: Anthony on 12/14/2008 9:14AM
Kudos to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a national treasure and cultural powerhouse. As a retired, professional ballet dancer (Wilmington Ballet Company), I admire the works of Ailey and his company. May the Ailey Company continue to inspire and educate multitudes with not only their documentaion of the black story, but the american story as well. Much success, Company!
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By: Leonard on 12/14/2008 4:52PM
Congrats to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for fabulous 50 years. Kudos to Ms. Jamison for the work she has done keeping Alvin Ailey vision alive. I've seen them several times in NY and DC. I find theme extremely talented and professional, look forward to see them again in the future..
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By: jadakaykay on 12/15/2008 12:30AM
I'm happy for AA, but sad that Dance Theatre of Harlem, the ONLY BLACK CLASSICAL ballet company folded. For those who don't know the difference. AA dances barefoot, (reminds me of slaves), Dance Theatre of Harlem, wore ballet slippers and did ballet dancing, not modern dancing which personally I hate. Dance Theatre of Harlem folded because of poor management and poor leadership. Too bad for the sister who are classical ballet dancers. The major ballet companies, ignore them.
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By: SQL on 12/16/2008 1:07PM
The pictures are of Ms. Judith Jamison, Artistic Director, not Sylvia Waters.
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By: MoviesonOurRadar on 12/16/2008 6:22PM
I will always have a warm spot for Alvin Ailey and his dance group. They are simply one of the best
http://365daysofmovies.blogspot.com
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By: Adrore Ailey on 12/17/2008 10:34AM
I am thrilled that the Ailey co. is celebrating it's Golden anniversary of giving pleasure to its audiences & opportunities to its students for 50 years. Congratulations too Judith Jameson for her inspiring performances & keeping the company alive and thriving. I'm sure Mr. Ailey is watching from above and extremely pleased!
My fondest wish is that Austin, Texas will be on the 50 city tour. I grew up attending his performances, with my Mother, in Houstoon, then in Austin during my college years and post college years. I am 56 years old and would love nothing more than to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Co. come to Austin! It will be the 1st performance without my Mother, who passed this year. Please, please don't come to this state without booking a repeat performance in the BEST litttle city in Texas. Thank you for giving me my LOVE of dance...bith appreciation for the art form & my own joy of dancing. Again, congratulations and LONG MAY YOU RUN!!
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By: Eric on 12/17/2008 11:07AM
Lamest photo gallery I've ever seen!
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By: gwen on 12/17/2008 12:21PM
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MY THIRD YEAR ATTENDING. BUT MY FELLOW PRAISE DANCERS AND I FROM ST PAUL COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH PURCHASED TICKETS FOR DEC. 13 2008. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A TOUCH OF PNEUMONIA AND A FEVER. HOPEFULLY I CAN GO TO A LATER SHOW.
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By: Richard on 12/17/2008 2:19PM
Thank you #2..the world owes a great debt to Ms. Jamison for keeping Ailey going... Thank you #4.. for the corrections. (how did they not catch that??)... And thank you #6 for the reality...
This was a celebration of a dance company... why the heck was Oprah so featured... I am so sure there were other notable people there... over 20 pictures of Oprah?? C'mon.. love her... but totally unnecessary. I can see where the troupe would be busy backstage... but... they are the reason for the affair, why not feature them? And to #7...that's such a shame - hope you are well enough soon and get to see them before they leave NYC... Ailey Rocks...Love 'em
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By: Willa Johnson on 12/17/2008 5:02PM
I saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe several years ago in Nashville, TN. They were fabulous! When will they return?
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