Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns to the Detroit Opera House February 12-15, 2009 Celebrating 50 Years
Detroit, MI, January 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Detroit Opera House - Home of Michigan Opera Theatre - David DiChiera, General Director
Sweet Honey In The Rock To Appear Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 on Stage With AAADT
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Detroit Opera House stage February 12-15, 2009 in a limited five-performance engagement to celebrate their unparalleled 50 year dance legacy. At the Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. performance, Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Grammy Award-winning all-female a capella vocal ensemble, will perform on stage with the Ailey dancers. In addition to Ailey classics, such as Revelations!, new works, including Go in Grace, choreographed by AAADT member Hope Boykin, will be performed. For an up-to-date schedule of the repertory for each performance, visit www.MichiganOpera.org.
As a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, a short commemorative film will be presented at the beginning of each performance. Entitled Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 – A Golden Anniversary Celebration, the film commemorates the rich 50-year history of this internationally renowned dance company.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which last appeared at the Detroit Opera House in 2008, will present a special mix-repertory program as part of the 2008-09 Chrysler Foundation Dance Series. The program will vary by performance, and will include works by notable choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Mario Bigonzetti, Elisa Monte, George Faison, Talley Beatty and Twyla Tharp, set to music ranging from Otis Redding to George Frideric Handel.
The highlight of the Detroit tour will include the Ailey classic Revelations, an Alvin Ailey signature work that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of African-Americans. Choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself, the enduring classic is a tribute to Alvin Ailey’s choreographic mastery. Set to African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, the work fervently explores the soulful places of deepest grief and holiest joy. Revelations will be performed at each program.
Making its Detroit premiere is Ailey dancer Hope Boykin’s original work Go in Grace. Company member Hope Boykin, through the collaborative concept of Artistic Director Judith Jamison, with an original score composed and performed live by Sweet Honey In The Rock, creates a gentle, affecting tale of community, family and growth that illustrates the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” In her first solo choreographic endeavor for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boykin tells the story of a family’s struggles. This is the first time that Sweet Honey In The Rock collaborated with a choreographer in the creation and performance of the piece.
Other works slated for the run include highlights of AAADT’s 50-year history, including Festa Barocca from acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti; Elisa Monte’s sculptural and mesmerizing duet Treading; Alvin Ailey’s Blues Suite, restaged by Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, and George Faison’s sassy and sizzling Suite Otis.
As part of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT) 50th Anniversary outreach in Detroit, Ailey Arts in Education Teaching Artists from New York City will be conducting a two-week residency project January 26-February 6, 2009 with students at Detroit International Academy entitled “The Revelations Project.” This unique program combining dance, art, and language will be offered over a two week period to further student growth and interaction with the professional dance instructors. At the completion of the project, 200 students will attend an Alvin Ailey performance at the Detroit Opera House on Feb. 13. Funding for the project is provided by JPMorganChase.
A special master class led by members of Alvin Ailey will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the 5th Floor Dance Studio of the Ford Center for Arts and Learning at the Detroit Opera House. The master class is open to the public, and is $25 or free with an Alvin Ailey performance ticket or ticket stub. Email dance@motopera.org to register or for more information.
About Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Founded in 1958 by dance pioneer Alvin Ailey, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is renowned for their expansive repertory, extensive touring schedules and community outreach efforts, as well as their masterful artistry. In the nearly 50 years since its founding, the company has grown from a small, mostly black company into a large, multi-racial institution, fulfilling Ailey’s dream to “touch everyone’s heart through dance.”
Under the leadership of Judith Jamison, Artistic Director since 1989, and Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has furthered its legacy as an American institution, performing works by many of the world’s leading choreographers, and packing houses in cities around the globe. Unrivaled artistry and masterful technique are hallmarks of this exceptional company.
Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater range from $29-$96 and are available in person at the Detroit Opera House ticket office (1526 Broadway, Detroit, 48226), by phone at (313) 237-SING (7464), or online at www.MichiganOpera.org. Tickets are also available at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (248) 645-6666 and online at www.TicketMaster.com.
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater At the magnificent Detroit Opera House
Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 13, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 7:30 p.m.*
Sunday, February 15, 2009 2:30 p.m.
* Performance includes Sweet Honey in the Rock
Contact: Rebekah Johnson
(313) 237-3403
rjohnson@motopera.org
Sweet Honey In The Rock To Appear Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 on Stage With AAADT
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Detroit Opera House stage February 12-15, 2009 in a limited five-performance engagement to celebrate their unparalleled 50 year dance legacy. At the Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. performance, Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Grammy Award-winning all-female a capella vocal ensemble, will perform on stage with the Ailey dancers. In addition to Ailey classics, such as Revelations!, new works, including Go in Grace, choreographed by AAADT member Hope Boykin, will be performed. For an up-to-date schedule of the repertory for each performance, visit www.MichiganOpera.org.
As a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, a short commemorative film will be presented at the beginning of each performance. Entitled Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 – A Golden Anniversary Celebration, the film commemorates the rich 50-year history of this internationally renowned dance company.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which last appeared at the Detroit Opera House in 2008, will present a special mix-repertory program as part of the 2008-09 Chrysler Foundation Dance Series. The program will vary by performance, and will include works by notable choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Mario Bigonzetti, Elisa Monte, George Faison, Talley Beatty and Twyla Tharp, set to music ranging from Otis Redding to George Frideric Handel.
The highlight of the Detroit tour will include the Ailey classic Revelations, an Alvin Ailey signature work that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of African-Americans. Choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself, the enduring classic is a tribute to Alvin Ailey’s choreographic mastery. Set to African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, the work fervently explores the soulful places of deepest grief and holiest joy. Revelations will be performed at each program.
Making its Detroit premiere is Ailey dancer Hope Boykin’s original work Go in Grace. Company member Hope Boykin, through the collaborative concept of Artistic Director Judith Jamison, with an original score composed and performed live by Sweet Honey In The Rock, creates a gentle, affecting tale of community, family and growth that illustrates the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” In her first solo choreographic endeavor for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boykin tells the story of a family’s struggles. This is the first time that Sweet Honey In The Rock collaborated with a choreographer in the creation and performance of the piece.
Other works slated for the run include highlights of AAADT’s 50-year history, including Festa Barocca from acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti; Elisa Monte’s sculptural and mesmerizing duet Treading; Alvin Ailey’s Blues Suite, restaged by Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, and George Faison’s sassy and sizzling Suite Otis.
As part of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT) 50th Anniversary outreach in Detroit, Ailey Arts in Education Teaching Artists from New York City will be conducting a two-week residency project January 26-February 6, 2009 with students at Detroit International Academy entitled “The Revelations Project.” This unique program combining dance, art, and language will be offered over a two week period to further student growth and interaction with the professional dance instructors. At the completion of the project, 200 students will attend an Alvin Ailey performance at the Detroit Opera House on Feb. 13. Funding for the project is provided by JPMorganChase.
A special master class led by members of Alvin Ailey will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the 5th Floor Dance Studio of the Ford Center for Arts and Learning at the Detroit Opera House. The master class is open to the public, and is $25 or free with an Alvin Ailey performance ticket or ticket stub. Email dance@motopera.org to register or for more information.
About Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Founded in 1958 by dance pioneer Alvin Ailey, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is renowned for their expansive repertory, extensive touring schedules and community outreach efforts, as well as their masterful artistry. In the nearly 50 years since its founding, the company has grown from a small, mostly black company into a large, multi-racial institution, fulfilling Ailey’s dream to “touch everyone’s heart through dance.”
Under the leadership of Judith Jamison, Artistic Director since 1989, and Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has furthered its legacy as an American institution, performing works by many of the world’s leading choreographers, and packing houses in cities around the globe. Unrivaled artistry and masterful technique are hallmarks of this exceptional company.
Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater range from $29-$96 and are available in person at the Detroit Opera House ticket office (1526 Broadway, Detroit, 48226), by phone at (313) 237-SING (7464), or online at www.MichiganOpera.org. Tickets are also available at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (248) 645-6666 and online at www.TicketMaster.com.
###
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater At the magnificent Detroit Opera House
Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 13, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 7:30 p.m.*
Sunday, February 15, 2009 2:30 p.m.
* Performance includes Sweet Honey in the Rock
Contact: Rebekah Johnson
(313) 237-3403
rjohnson@motopera.org
Contact
Michigan Opera Theatre
Rebekah Johnson
313-961-3500
www.michiganopera.org
Rebekah Johnson
313-961-3500
www.michiganopera.org
Contact
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