On December 11, during the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater season at New York City Center, Yannick Lebrun will turn 26. He as the night off. "To be honest with you," he whispers conspiratorially, "I wanted to dance."
If the dance world had a Triple Crown, Renee Robinson would be winning it. This year, the lithe performer with the high forehead earned an MFA from the Hollins University/ADF program, will receive the prestigious Dance Magazine Award on Dec. 3, and celebrates her final performance with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on Dec. 9.
Last night, I was able to snag a ticket to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's "season preview" performance, a sampler of works from their upcoming New York City Center season.
The audience will see a diverse production when Ailey II, the renowned touring company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater family, kicks off the Park City Performing Arts Foundation's 2012-13 season on Friday, Novemeber 2.
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.
The last of Alvin Ailey's hand-picked company dancers, Renee Robinson will give her final performance as a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on December 9. Before she departs, Robinson will lead a four-week Revelations master class series at the Ailey Extension.
The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey presented Ailey II for a series of performances at the Folly Theater. Thursday's performance featured two premieres, kick starting the series.
Dance Magazine has names the winners of its annual lifetime achievement awards. They are Julie Kent, a principal dancer at American Ballet Theater; Renee Robinson, a member of the Alvin Ailey company since 1981; the tap dancer Dianne Walker; and the former New York Times dance critic Anna Kisselgoff.
"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.