An Evening With Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the country's boldest and most exciting dance company - dazzling, brash and dynamic, yet graceful and poetic. The first of four brilliant studio productions encountered here, 'Divining', was Judith Jamison's first major work as a choreographer for Alvin Ailey. Set to hauntingly rhythmic drum music, the dance evokes a strong feeling for African tribal ritual. 'Revelations' expresses Ailey's intense feelings for his Southern roots. Here you'll see Ailey's vivid "blood memories" of the blues, spirituals, gospel music, ragtime and folk songs as well as the hard life of the Southern African-American during the Depression. Taking place in modern-day Harlem Set and set to modern jazz, 'The Stack-Up' depicts the cruel reality of urban street life as a young man is destroyed by drugs. Choreographed by Alvin Ailey for Judith Jamison in 1971, 'Cry', is one of his most famous pieces. Created as a birthday present for his mother, it is Ailey's tribute to black women.