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Alvin Ailey performance to benefit Unitarian church
The 12-member New York City company, led by artistic director Sylvia Waters and associate artistic director Troy Powell, has performed on Nantucket twice, most recently last year, and looks forward to a return visit. "We love it up there in Nantucket," said Powell. "The people are so hospitable — that's part of why we love doing what we do — to go to other cities and be accepted as when we are performing in our own city." Ailey II, as it is called, was formed in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble when Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, who died in 1989, began a workshop with outstanding scholarship students from The Ailey School. The school was originally the Alvin Ailey
Powell, who joined the dance theater in 1991 and became a master teacher at the school and resident choreographer of Ailey II, said the school trains dancers in modern, ballet and jazz movements and picks the 12 most promising to be in the troupe. Along with being talented, the students must hold a passion for and deep love of dancing. Some are in the school two years, others for a semester and others for one year, and all come from many locations to study there. "When you enter the program it depends on the commitment you have. You have to want it," said Powell, who started his dance training at The Ailey School at the age of nine and was invited to be a member of Ailey II when he was 19. The company tours seven months of the year and has a one-month break in January. Their 2007-2008 tour takes in 45 cities across the nation. Their Nantucket program is two hours long and will include four different ballets. They will perform "The External Knot," choreographed by Powell; "Splendid Isolation II," choreographed by Jessica Lang; a dance for five women called "Quintet," written by Laura Nero and various excerpts from Alvin Ailey's repertoire such as "Meanole Frisco" and "House of the Rising Sun." Sylvia Waters has been responsible for the growth and expansion of Ailey II since it was founded. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Julliard and studied with Antony Tudor and Martha Graham. She worked with the director of the Paris Opera Ballet, performed in Europe and Mexico City and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1968 as a principal dancer until she took the position with Ailey II. Powell toured throughout Europe, South America, South Africa and across the United States with the dance theater. His choreography credits include the dance theater, Ailey II, Dallas Black Dance Theater, the National Dance Company of the Bahamas and the Alaska Dance Theater. The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation supports the dance theater, celebrating 50 years and under artistic direction of the acclaimed Judith Jamison; Ailey II; The Ailey School; Ailey Arts in Education and Community Programs and The Ailey Extension, a dance and fitness program for the general public. The encompassing performing arts community unites people of all races, ages and backgrounds while playing an important role in appreciating and capturing the beauty and humanity of the African American heritage. Through its history, which began with a performance in March 1958 at Manhattan's 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association, the dance theater has been involved in many historic occasions, performed at The White House and received many honors. Examples include becoming a resident company of New York's 51st Street YWCA Clark Center for the Performing Arts in 1960, the company's first official residence; being chosen in 1962 to be part of John F. Kennedy's "President's Special International Program for Cultural Presentations;" being awarded the Gold Star at the 1970 International Dance Festival for Best Modern Dance Company and Best Modern Dance Choreographer; receiving the 1982 United Nations Peace Medal; receiving the 1988 Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime contribution to American culture through the performing arts; performing at the 1993 inaugural gala for President Bill Clinton; marking in 2005 an estimated 21 million fans who had seen their dancing in 48 states and 68 countries on six continents and having its dance theater archives donated to the Library of Congress records in 2006. Performances on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19 begin at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Benefit, front and center tickets are $80 and are being sold at The Hub. General admission tickets range $50, $65 and $80 and are available at The Camera Shop, Bookworks and The 'Sconset Market. Any tickets left will be sold at the door prior to performances. All proceeds go to the Old South Church Preservation Fund. I |
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