Alvin Ailey: Celebrating The Big 5-0 In A Special Way

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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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."