ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER At The Arsht Center

(Photos By Andrew Eccles)

Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER ANNOUNCES PROGRAM FOR FIRST MIAMI ENGAGEMENT LED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Robert Battle FROM FEBRUARY 23 - 26  

FIVE PERFORMANCES ONLY AT Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County FEATURE AILEY'S EXTRAORDINARY DANCERS IN ACCLAIMED PREMIERES THAT LAUNCH A NEW ERA 

Home by Bold Hip-Hop Choreographer Rennie Harris Inspired by the Stories of People Affected by HIV 

Arden Court Marks the First Time a Work by American Dance Master Paul Taylor Appears in Ailey Repertory 

Minus 16 by American-Israeli Choreographer Ohad Naharin Features Improvisation and Audience Participation 

Artistic Director Robert Battle's Bravura Solo Takademe 

Repertory Favorites Include Robert Battle's The Hunt and Alvin Ailey's Classic Revelations 

TICKETS:

Tickets starting at $20 are now on sale at http://www.arshtcenter.org or 305.949.6722. The Arsht Center Box office is open Monday - Friday 10am to 6pm. Group discounts available by calling (786) 468-2326. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – February 23 - 26, 2012

Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132

305.949.6722

Led by Miami native Robert Battle in his inaugural season as Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's favorite dance companies, returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from February 23 through 26 as part of a 27-city North American Tour.  Following critically-acclaimed sold out performances in New York City, Ailey's extraordinary dancers will move audiences in two special programs containing a series of premieres and new productions that launch an exciting new era in Ailey history.  Ailey's Miami engagement in the Ziff Ballet Opera House, is part of the Knight Masterworks Season, Sanford and Beatrice Ziff Dance Series. 

"This is the beginning of a new adventure-for the company, for me and for our audiences," stated Robert Battle, who on July 1, 2011 became Artistic Director – only the third in the Company's history.  "I'm excited for Arsht audiences to witness the world's most amazing dancers in this season's premieres as we take the next step in Ailey's inspiring journey."  Honored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2005 as one of the "Masters of African?American Choreography," Robert Battle is a fast?rising choreographer and visionary who, over the past decade, has created ballets for the Ailey Company and Ailey II. 

The Thursday, February 23^rd opening night program (also seen on Saturday evening and Saturday matinee) features the season premieres of Paul Taylor's classic Arden Court and Ohad Naharin's innovative Minus 16.  Arden Court (1981) marks the first time a work by this American modern dance master is performed by the renowned Ailey dancers.  Under the supervision of Mr. Taylor, Arden Court features a sumptuous baroque score by William Boyce and technically challenging choreography with striking duets, solos and a men's sextet that showcases the dancers' skill and musicality. 

Minus 16 (1999), by the renowned American-Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, will feature the Company in a work unlike any other in the Ailey repertory as it challenges the dancers to improvise and invite audience members to join them onstage.  Using Naharin's acclaimed "Gaga" method, Minus 16 features a delightfully eclectic score ranging from Dean Martin to cha-cha, from techno-pop to traditional Israeli music.

The Friday, February 24^th evening program, as well as the Saturday matinee performance, will include: bold hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris' Home, Robert Battle's bravura solo Takademe and his explosive dance for six men called The Hunt, an audience favorite from last season.   Home, a new work set to a soul-lifting score of gospel house music is inspired by stories submitted to the "Fight HIV Your Way" contest for people living with or affected by HIV, an initiative of Bristol-Myers Squibb.  Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presented the New York premiere on a day of major significance, both World AIDS Day and the day Alvin Ailey passed away from the disease in 1989. 

Takademe (1999), one of Mr. Battle's first creations and a pivotal work in his career, is a savvy deconstruction and abstraction of the tightly woven rhythms of Indian Kathak dance.  Containing humor, fast-paced movements and propulsive jumps, this company premiere is set to Sheila Chandra's syncopated vocal score. 

Alvin Ailey's beloved masterpiece Revelations, an American classic acclaimed as a must-see and recognized by a U.S. Senate resolution, will provide the inspiring finale of each performance. 

"It gives me great pride to build upon the inspiring legacy of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison," reiterated Robert Battle.  "It is especially poignant for me to be leading Ailey on its return to Miami, where I grew up and was inspired as a student by seeing a performance of Revelations." 

Ailey's mission of using dance to educate, inspire and entertain people of all ages will reach young Miami students through Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach.  Thanks to the support of Chase, the Miami residency will be held February 6-10 at Charles Drew Middle School and Northwestern Senior High School. This innovative curriculum-based initiative for public school students utilizes Alvin Ailey's Revelations as the inspirational framework for an in-depth study of language arts, social studies and dance.  

Detailed programming information and schedule is below (subject to change). For further details on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Ailey organization's performances, training programs and educational activities, visit www.alvinailey.org.   

American Express is the official card of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

J.P. Morgan provides support for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Miami season. 

Bristol Myers-Squibb is proud to support Home, which was inspired by the "Fight HIV Your Way" initiative. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's engagement at the Adrienne Arsht Center is part of the

John S. and James L. Knight Masterworks Season, Sanford and Beatrice Ziff Dance Series. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – 2012 Miami Season Programs       (as of 1/12/2012) Subject to Change:

 

Miami, FL                          Adrienne Arsht Center                                                http://www.arshtcenter.org/     (305) 949-6722

Thurs 2/23 8:00pm           Arden Court / Minus 16 / Revelations                                                                    

Fri 2/24 8:00pm                Home / Takademe, The Hunt / Revelations                                                         

Sat 2/25 2:00pm                              Home / Takademe, The Hunt / Revelations                                                         

Sat 2/25 8:00pm                              Arden Court / Minus 16 / Revelations                                                                                   

Sun 2/26 2:00pm                             Arden Court / Minus 16 / Revelations                       

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