"Great gods cannot ride little horses." So goes the Haitian proverb, and when it comes to Geoffrey Holder, it's true. The dancer, choreographer, painter, costume designer, actor, and musicial does nothing in a small way.
November 8: The presentation of the Mayor's Awards for Arts and Culture.
William B. Ward School third graders were treated to a three-day residency by Alvin Ailey dancers, which culminated in two performances at the school Friday.
His biggest movie credit has been playing himself in " A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa," but Mayor Bloomberg is set to share top billing with double Oscar-winner Meryl Streep. Hizzoner will team up next Monday with the legendary actress to co-host the Mayor's Awards for Arts & Culture at Alice Tully Hall.
Judith Jamison, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has received a National Award for Citizen Diplomacy from the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy.
Matthew Rushing moves like butter. He blends beautifully in any group, but as a soloist has a presence that simply rocks. During his 18-year tenure at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, he has shone in such works as Ailey's Revelations, A Song for You, Blues Suite, Pas de Duke, Reflections in D, to name only a few.
You see it everywhere in contemorary and modern choreography. It's the "wow" step that takes you from standing to the floor with just a simple bend of the knees: the hinge.
When they're out on tour, the dancers in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater end every show performing Revelations. Would that we could all end each day watching it. For there are moments in Alvin Ailey's 1960 work that are as close to perfection as dance gets.
Michelle Obama has often joked that she, President Obama, and their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, "live above the store." But one could also compare the White House to a beehive where, upon Mrs. Obama's encouragement, young creative talents are invited to cross-pollinate on the East Room stage.
Today, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy anounced the seven recipients of it's 2010 National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Honorees are recognized for their extraordinary work to increase American citizen engagement in international affairs and their outstanding contributions in fostering cross-sultural understanding.