On a cold and snow covered afternoon, I weathered the elements to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at New York City Center. Mind you, I've seen Alvin Ailey performances most of my life--growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio and here in New York City.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) City Center season, which runs from December 2 to January 3, is hot, hot, hot.
In today's times, a 20th anniversary of any sort is not to be taken lightly, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is giving due praise to the milestone of Judith Jamison's tenure as the company's artistic director in its current City Center season with such events as performances of Jamison's Hymn featuring live appearances by Anna Deavere Smith (starting on December 16).
We may be approaching the winter solstice, but there is definitely a breeze of springtime at the City Center Theater. It is provided by Uptown a new ballet by Matthew Rushing for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Judith Jamison, the legendary dancer and choreographer, took up drawing a few years ago on the advice of a friend. She was in the Adirondacks sketching with markers and paper in the middle of the night, when she drew a figure that sent shivers up her spine.
At the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Matthew Rushing is a dancer of great spirit and charm, and in his new work for the company, "Uptown," first performed on Wednesday night at City Center, there is plenty of both.
Every time I see Alvin Ailey’s beloved Revelations, and the music for “Wade in the Water” begins, I remember Judith Jamison performing that soul-lifting sequence. This isn’t fair to whatever current company member is doing it, I know, but I can’t help it.
Blink and you'll miss it. That's how briskly the seamless program of dances compiled for "Ailey Highlights" flies by.
Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes. The giants of the Harlem Renaissance loom large in "Uptown," Matthew Rushing's new work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
At the glass palace that is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's headquarters, Judith Jamison is literally enshrined.