Join the celebration as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, America’s cultural ambassador to the world, marks its 50th anniversary of bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the world’s stages.
The genius of Alvin Ailey changed forever the perception of American dance; today the legacy continues with Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the Company’s dancers. Beauty, spirit, hope and passion know no bounds. That is the power of Ailey.
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March 27, 2008 marked the launch of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT’s) 50th anniversary celebrations. The festivities included an event at Ailey’s home, with underwriting support provided by Wachovia Foundation, featuring performances of excerpts from Alvin Ailey’s groundbreaking ballet Blues Suite (1958) and the acclaimed masterpiece Revelations (1960), in addition to the premiere of the short film Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 —A Golden Anniversary Celebration. The film, which commemorates Ailey’s rich 50-year history, will be shown before AAADT’s performances throughout the 50th anniversary. The celebration continued with the announcement of Ailey’s special plans for its 50th anniversary and a congressional resolution calling AAADT a “vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World.” The resolution was sponsored by Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY), and New York Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer.
Artist David Michalek’s video art installation, entitled Goldenly, uses a kaleidoscope of images that capture the precision and artistry of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. These vivid images, depicting the Ailey dancers moving at extremely slow speeds, are displayed across screens along the ground floor windows of the 9th Avenue side of the Ailey building. The installation, sponsored by NEC, can be seen by passersby throughout the anniversary celebration.
On Sunday, March 30, the actual anniversary date of the first Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance, faith-based organizations of all sizes throughout New York City helped celebrate Ailey’s 50th anniversary during their services. The celebration included dedicating a portion of the services to honoring the Ailey legacy, choirs singing spirituals from Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations, and dance ministries performing works inspired by the beauty and humanity of AAADT.
Artistic Director Judith Jamison attended the 9:00am service at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church where she personally addressed the congregation and spoke about the enduring Ailey legacy.
“Sometimes I ask myself, how in the world did that man get from Rogers, Texas, which you can barely find on a map, to where I stand today,” Ms. Jamison said. “But let me tell you, it’s no accident.”
Following Ms. Jamison’s remarks, children from Abyssinian Baptist Church performed an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s Revelations as the choir sang spirituals from the world-renown work. Reverend Eboni Marshall conducted the morning’s sermon, drawing upon her own experiences from her time as a student at The Ailey School and as a teaching artist for Ailey’s Arts In Education and Community Programs.
“Alvin Ailey’s life and legacy, as embodied in these people here today, taught me how to stand up straight, how to push higher, how to go deeper,” Rev. Marshall said. “This wisdom stands head and shoulders over the rest…No matter what the circumstances, the show must go on.”
As a special tribute, Alvin Ailey’s childhood church in the small town of Rogers, TX and Artistic Director Judith Jamison’s hometown church in Philadelphia, PA also participated.
Hallmark has created a series of six Ailey greeting cards through its Mahogany line that feature beautiful photographs of the Ailey dancers by Andrew Eccles. Cards are available beginning March 3, 2008 wherever Mahogany cards are sold.
The Library of Congress commemorates Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's (AAADT's) golden anniversary with the exhibition, "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years as Cultural Ambassador to the World."
The exhibition, featuring material from the Library's Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Archive and selected items from the Lester Horton Dance Theater Collection, offers a window into Ailey's roots at the Los Angeles-based Lester Horton Dance Theater, his repertory of 79 choreographic works, the development of his dance company and the continuation of the Ailey legacy under the leadership of Judith Jamison. The exhibition draws on an extensive collection of photographs and includes images of works by some of the 70 choreographers who have created dances for AAADT, as well as extraordinary examples of Ailey's most beloved creations, including "Blues Suite," "Revelations" and "Cry." The exhibition also features a short film presentation that provides insight into the history and development of AAADT.
The exhibition opens on May 8th and remains on view through September 6th in the foyer of the Performing Arts Reading Room, LM 113, of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. Exhibition hours are 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday through Saturday.
Following its closing on September 6th, the exhibition will travel to the Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, where it will open on October 4th and be on view for six months.
Alvin Ailey and Company in Blues Suite Photo by Mario Ruiz
The Joyce Theater presented Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a week-long engagement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) from June 3-8, 2008. This was the first time in 38 years that the Company had performed at BAM.
On August 8 and 9, Ailey alumni were welcomed home for a celebratory weekend of activities. A special dinner was held on Friday, August 8 for former and current AAADT dancers at Ailey’s home on 55th Street and 9th Avenue. More than 80 dancers gathered for this historic occasion to share memories of their time in the Ailey company and catch up with old friends.
On Saturday, August 9, following the 11am performance at the all-day Street Party, seven former and current AAADT dancers gathered onstage for a discussion led by rehearsal director Ronni Favors. Carmen de Lavallade, George Faison, Ralph Glenmore, Jacqueline Wolcott Goldman, Aubrey Lynch, Renee Robinson and Donna Wood Sanders reminisced and shared personal insights with a rapt audience.
Later that evening, more than 300 former and current dancers, choreographers, designers and staff enjoyed a celebratory dance party at the Ailey building.
In celebration of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT’s) 50th Anniversary and its mission of making dance accessible to everyone, Ailey presented a special series of free performances and dance classes throughout New York City in all five boroughs from August 5-12, sponsored by Bloomberg.
The centerpiece was an all-day Street Party on Saturday, August 9 in the heart of Manhattan, a special collaboration between AAADT and New York City Center. The Street Party, which spanned 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, was attended by more than 30,000 people who enjoyed three free performances by AAADT on the City Center stage, dance and drumming classes throughout the day, activities for kids, prizes and much more.
People of all ages and abilities were invited to participate in the free classes that ranged from African dance, hip hop and jazz to the Horton modern dance technique on which many of Ailey’s most famous ballets are based. In a feature story on NY1 television, one participant raved “not only was it great exercise and so much fun, it was great to feel like an Alvin Ailey dancer. You don’t get to do that ever. That was what made it so special.”
“Alvin Ailey believed that dance came from the people and should be delivered back to the people. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get back into the community and say thank you,” explained Nasha Thomas-Schmitt, co-director of Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs.
Additional free dance classes and performances by Ailey II took place at The St. George Theatre in Staten Island, Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in the Bronx, Celebrate Brooklyn Festival in Prospect Park and Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s first performance in 1958, all tickets for the December 4th performance at New York City Center were sold for $19.58.
Tickets were available for purchase at the Target 1958 Night On-Sale Party on September 13th, located in the atrium just west of the New York City Center entrance (West 55th Street b/w 6th and 7th Avenues).
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s international tour will span major cities around the globe in September and October, 2008. Some countries include Israel, Turkey, Romania, Greece, Spain, and Italy.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s premier modern dance companies, Mattel presents the first ever Barbie® doll to be inspired by a dance company — Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater Barbie® doll. Designed by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, this Barbie® doll reflects the famed beauty and grace of AAADT and its world-class dancers. Taking the stage in a soaring leap and perfectly-applied stage makeup, the doll is dressed in a flowing white lace costume worn in the “Wade in the Water” section of Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations.
Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater Barbie® doll honors Alvin Ailey’s legacy, the remarkable vision of Judith Jamison and AAADT’s mission to inspire and unite people of all backgrounds through the universal language of dance.
The Library of Congress commemorates Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's (AAADT's) golden anniversary with the exhibition, "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years as Cultural Ambassador to the World."
The exhibition, featuring material from the Library's Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Archive and selected items from the Lester Horton Dance Theater Collection, offers a window into Ailey's roots at the Los Angeles-based Lester Horton Dance Theater, his repertory of 79 choreographic works, the development of his dance company and the continuation of the Ailey legacy under the leadership of Judith Jamison. The exhibition draws on an extensive collection of photographs and includes images of works by some of the 70 choreographers who have created dances for AAADT, as well as extraordinary examples of Ailey's most beloved creations, including "Blues Suite," "Revelations" and "Cry." The exhibition also features a short film presentation that provides insight into the history and development of AAADT.
The exhibition opens on October 4, 2008 and remains on view through April 6, 2009 at the Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Available in November, 2008, Ailey Ascending: A Portrait in Motion is a beautiful art book of photography that includes all new photographs of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT).
Ailey Ascending captures the company’s passion, beauty, and humanity with more than 85 images by acclaimed photographer Andrew Eccles. His classically composed, technically flawless style showcases the majesty of the human body, capturing the dancers in performance, behind-the-scenes, and in stunning portraits. A preface by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, foreword by acclaimed playwright Anna Deavere Smith, and introduction by noted writers Khephra Burns and Susan L. Taylor contextualize the company’s legacy of promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage.
Ailey Ascending reveals AAADT’s unparalleled artistry and exquisite beauty, which continue to make AAADT one of the world’s most treasured dance companies.
“Ailey Ascending,” a collection of spellbinding images of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater by acclaimed photographer Andrew Eccles, was on display at the June Kelly Gallery in Manhattan from November 14 - December 9.
Eccles’s classically composed, technically flawless style captures the Company’s passion, beauty and humanity in these images, which come from the recently released photography book Ailey Ascending: A Portrait in Motion.
For more information about how to purchase prints, please visit the June Kelly Gallery.
To purchase your copy of Ailey Ascending: A Portrait in Motion today, visit the Ailey Boutique.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of AAADT, Movado has released a limited edition Museum® dial watch, featuring an orange leather double-wrap strap signifying the fluidity of dance that highlights Ailey’s anniversary color. The case back of this limited edition watch features Ailey’s 50th Anniversary logo.
Movado will donate 10% of proceeds from the sale of this watch throughout the month of December to AAADT.
The Movado Museum® dial limited edition Ailey watch is available exclusively at Macys.com and select Macy’s stores and Movado boutiques.
On December 3, 2008, the lights on the Empire State Building were lit in gold to celebrate the opening of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50th anniversary season at New York City Center. The Ailey organization is honored to have its Golden Anniversary recognized by one of America’s great historic landmarks.
The pinnacle of the anniversary celebration was AAADT’s five-week New York City Center season, beginning with a special star-studded Opening Night Gala with Honorary Chair and Honored Guest Oprah Winfrey, and custom gowns for the female stars of Ailey designed by Badgley Mischka. Artistic Director Judith Jamison presented a dynamic series of world premieres and new productions throughout the season, including:
- A new work in collaboration with the musical group Sweet Honey In The Rock, who performed live on stage with the dancers. Leadership support for this World Premiere ballet provided by MetLife Foundation.
- Major new productions of works from the brilliant collaboration between Alvin Ailey and Duke Ellington, featuring live performances by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
- A world premiere by Mauro Bigonzetti, one of Europe’s most inventive choreographers.
Target is pleased to honor AAADT’s historic 50th anniversary by sponsoring Target 1958 Night during the Company’s New York City Center season. This exciting performance featured specially priced tickets and was one of Ailey’s important audience-building initiatives during the 50th anniversary, helping to create access and participation among audience members who might not otherwise be able to experience the magic of Ailey.
AAADT poster from Copenhagen, Denmark; 1992. Art by Trampidach. Courtesy of AADF Archives
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), the Film Society of Lincoln Center presented an exhibition of archival Ailey posters from the past fifty years. On display at the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery in Lincoln Center throughout Black History Month (February 2009), this exhibition included posters from AAADT’s performances across the globe, illustrating the passion, beauty, and artistry of AAADT and how the Company has inspired the world through its celebration of the African-American cultural experience and modern dance tradition.
AAADT poster from Copenhagen, Denmark; 1992. Art by Trampidach. Courtesy of AADF Archives
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), the Film Society of Lincoln Center presented an entire day of Ailey films at the Walter Reade Theater on February 1st.
The day included such classics as Memories and Visions and A Hymn for Alvin Ailey, in addition to rare finds like Carmen de Lavallade and Alvin Ailey in Porgy and Bess. The event also included discussions with Judith Jamison, Anna Deavere Smith, Orlando Bagwell, and others.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will celebrate its 50th anniversary across the country in the winter/spring of 2009. In addition to a special opening night gala at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, each performance throughout the tour will include a screening of the short film Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 – A Golden Anniversary Celebration.
A YOUNG DANCER: THE LIFE OF AN AILEY STUDENT, by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey, takes an engrossing inside look, in words and pictures, into the intimate day-to-day life of a student at The Ailey School as she prepares for her big spring performance. Available in the spring of 2009.
In the 50th anniversary season of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jacob's Pillow will commemorate its seminal relationship with Ailey, which began in 1953, with a special exhibit in the Reading Room of Blake’s Barn. The exhibit, which will include a collection of photographs and archival materials, will be on display June 14 – August 30, 2009.
For more information, contact Jacob’s Pillow at 413-243-9919 or visit www.jacobspillow.org.
The 2009 BAM season marked the culmination of Ailey's 50th Anniversary celebration. Following a 26-city U.S. tour, the Company returned to Brooklyn (June 9-14) with two programs that showcase the artistry and grace that have distinguished the Ailey company for 50 years.
“Classic Ailey” featured excerpts from Alvin Ailey’s most popular and beloved ballets. “Best Of” featured selections from Ailey's diverse repertory, including a new production of Judith Jamison's Hymn.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 —A Golden Anniversary CelebrationClick here for film credits.
A YOUNG DANCER: THE LIFE OF AN AILEY STUDENT, by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey, takes an engrossing inside look, in words and pictures, into the intimate day-to-day life of a student at The Ailey School as she prepares for her big spring performance. Available in the spring of 2009.
In the 50th anniversary season of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jacob's Pillow will commemorate its seminal relationship with Ailey, which began in 1953, with a special exhibit in the Reading Room of Blake’s Barn. The exhibit, which will include a collection of photographs and archival materials, will be on display June 14 – August 30, 2009.
The 2009 BAM season marked the culmination of Ailey's 50th Anniversary celebration. Following a 26-city U.S. tour, the Company returned to Brooklyn (June 9-14) with two programs that showcase the artistry and grace that have distinguished the Ailey company for 50 years.