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Let's Dance Ailey II to perform Jan. 26 in Amarillo By KATHIE GREER Anyone who enjoys music and movement won't want to miss the upcoming performance of Ailey II at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 26.
The touring company of the famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present "Revelations" and "Streams" as part of Lone Star Ballet's Season of Dance. Based on Ailey's experiences growing up as an African-American in the South, "Revelations" has been deemed a choreographical masterpiece. The work offers ample servings of colorful costuming, unique artistry, athletic strength and poetic passion. The New York Sun describes Ailey II as a "polished, accomplished touring company that plays a key role in Alvin Ailey's mission of bringing popular dance to the widest possible audience." Born in the central Texas town of Rogers, Ailey's first experience with dance came after he and his mother had settled in California. He studied ballet, modern dance and acting. He choreographed Leonard Bernstein's "Mass," which was the debut performance of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Samuel Barber opera "Antony and Cleopatra," the inaugural production of the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Theater. In 1958, Ailey started his own company, primarily featuring African-American dancers. He immediately undertook the task of popularizing modern dance throughout the world and gained the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department. Ailey II began in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble when its founder initiated a workshop composed of the most promising students from the Ailey School. Today it flourishes under the tutelage and direction of Sylvia Waters, appointed as artistic director by Ailey in 1974. The company offers unique opportunities for artists, allowing them to refine their dance technique while gaining invaluable performance and teaching experience. They also continue Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that includes community-based training. As part of its visit to Amarillo, the company will lead a master modern class at 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 26 at the Lone Star Ballet Dance Academy. The class is open to all dancers age 11 and older. Cost is $25. "This is an open registration," said Angela Knapp, director of marketing for Lone Star Ballet. "Anyone who's interested should just show up. We'll have an instructor and two of the company's dancers on hand for the class. It's a unique opportunity for anyone in the area who is interested in modern dance." E-mail
comments about this story Posted: January 17, 2008
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