The grand cities of Mumbai and New York differ from each other in a million ways, but are brought together by a few common strands - their entrepreneurial spirit, their dynamic "always on-the-go" nature, their lively sidewalks, their gorgeous coastlines, the diversity of their residents who bring unique culture and religion and their vibrant music scene.
It's a moving experience when Nasha Thomas-Schmitt brings the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's program to schools. Thomas-Schmitt, a dancer now in charge of the company's outreach program, put students in the South Bend Community School Corporation's arts magnets and others through their paces last week.
Students from Charles Drew Middle School, in Liberty City, participated in a workshop held by Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, WEdnesday, February 13, 2013. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because their artistic director Robert Battle has roots here.
A conversation with Judith Jamison, director emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and winner of the 2013 APAP Award of Merit, is not like taking a walk through American dance history. It is the walk through American dance History.
The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation will announce on Wednesday its selection of a new executive director from within its own ranks: Bennett Rink, currently the senior director of development and external affairs, will take the modern-dance company's top administrative job in January 2013.
The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation has chosen the man in charge of its fund-raising, marketing and public relations to become its next executive director, the foundation said on Tuesday. He is Bennett Rink, who joined Ailey in 1994 as special-events manager and rose to become senior director of development and external affairs.
"I feel like I'm leaving my child!" calls out Dwana Smalwood, as the studio door clicks shut behind her. She feigns a weeping expression - wide eyes glancing backward, lithe arms gesturing loningly - then lets out a self-effacing laugh, knowing she'll be back right after lunch.
For six weeks this summer, more than 100 city kids will learn dance techniques in Washington Heights from some of the best trained dancers in the country. AileyCamp, a program of the world-famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, kicked off last week, transforming IS 90 into a dancer's playground.
At the opening night of Ailey II's New York season in April, the last under Sylvia Waters' direction, the house was full of tears, cheers, and - before any dancing had even occured - a standing ovation.
Somewhere near the top of the modern-dance family tree, where the foliage is plentiful, you'll find Sylvia Waters. This season after 38 years on the job, Ms. Waters will step down as artistic director of Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where her main triumph has been to cultivate dancers and nurture their inner stars.