Photo: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater\ Paul Kolnik
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2022 holiday season engagement continues this week with the debut of an All New program featuring season premieres and new productions, and three Ailey & Jazz performances featuring live music played by some of the most promising young instrumentalists in the jazz scene today.
Ailey & Jazz Live Music Program
Audiences are in for a treat on Friday, December 16 at 8pm when Ailey & Jazz showcases four ballets featuring live music by the rising stars of the Future of Jazz Orchestra, curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Made up of 15 outstanding jazz players ranging in age from 15-25, the talented musicians will partner with Ailey’s extraordinary dancers for three special performances this weekend. Ailey & Jazz includes three of the 14 ballets Alvin Ailey created that celebrate the musical genius of Duke Ellington – Night Creature, Reflections in D, and Pas de Duke – along with Robert Battle’s exuberant For Four set to Wynton Marsalis’s delicious jazz score. One of Mr. Ailey’s most popular works, Night Creature is the perfect fusion of Ailey’s buoyant choreography and Ellington’s sparkling music. Reflections in D is a strong yet serene solo which highlights the grace, artistry, and power of the male dancer. A modern dance translation of a classical pas de deux, Pas de Duke was created in 1976 honoring two of the most renowned dancers in the world, Judith Jamison and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Robert Battle’s For Four takes four amazing dancers and adds Marsalis’ jazz score – written in 4/4 time – to capture the pent-up energy of a world cooped up during the pandemic. The conclusion of this remarkable program is Ailey’s timeless must-see masterpiece Revelations.
Performance Dates: Dec. 16 eve, Dec. 17 mat, Dec. 18 mat
All New Program
On Thursday, December 15 at 7:30pm and Saturday, December 17 at 8pm fans can check out several of this season’s premieres and new productions during an All New program featuring Jamar Roberts’ In A Sentimental Mood, Paul Taylor’s DUET, Alvin Ailey’s Survivors, and MacArthur Genius Kyle Abraham’s world premiere Are You in Your Feelings?. An intimate scene from the domestic life of a couple becomes an exploration of love and desire during Roberts’ In a Sentimental Mood. Taylor’s brief and beautifully shaped DUET portrays a love, perhaps not new, but rather tried and true. A new production of Survivors, Ailey’s impassioned tribute to Nelson and Winnie Mandela, presents a portrait of people transformed by injustice and uplifts who resist oppression in any form. Scored to a “mixtape” of soul, hip-hop, and R&B, Abraham’s newest work is a celebration of Black culture, Black music, and the youthful spirit that perseveres in us all. This vibrant piece explores the connections among music, communication, and personal memory.
Performance Dates: Dec. 15 mat, Dec. 17 mat
Read Robert Battle talk about the new production of Survivors in Andscape.
Read about Are You in Your Feelings? in The New York Times.
Hear Robert Battle and Kyle Abraham discuss this season’s performances on WNYC.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s electrifying engagement at New York City Center continues through Christmas Eve, making for a fun seasonal group outing and a fantastic holiday gift for loved ones. Each ticketholder can also receive a special gift from Ailey Extension’s “real classes for real people” when they take advantage of the “Ticket to Dance” promotion by submitting their performance ticket for a free dance or fitness class of their choice before February 28, 2023. Ailey Extension offers more than 40 classes a week online and in-studio at The Joan Weill Center for Dance – New York’s largest building dedicated to dance – in a wide variety of techniques including hip-hop, ballet, West African, Zumba®, Broadway Jazz, and Horton – the modern dance technique seen in many of Alvin Ailey’s works including Revelations.
For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
AILEY CLASSICS
Ailey Classics spotlights timeless favorites including The River and Blues Suite. Returning favorite, The River is one of fourteen ballets Ailey created to Duke Ellington’s music, combining classical ballet, modern dance and jazz in a work that mirrors the journey of life. Ailey’s allegory of birth, life and rebirth abound with water references, from the spinning “Vortex” solo to the romantic “Lake” duet. Blues Suite features a cast of vividly drawn characters from the barrelhouses and fields of Ailey’s southern childhood summoned to dance and revel through one long, sultry night. This performance concludes with Ailey’s timeless American masterpiece Revelations.
Performance Dates: Dec. 21 mat*, Dec. 24 mat
*Wednesday, Dec 21 matinee includes a free Q&A with the acclaimed Ailey dancers immediately following the performance
CHRISTMAS EVE FINALE
Ailey’s joyous holiday engagement comes to an end with two performances on Christmas Eve both concluding with the signature masterpiece Revelations. The Ailey Classics matinee showcases The River and Blues Suite. The evening performance features three of the season’s new works – In a Sentimental Mood, DUET, and Are You in Your Feelings?.
FAMILY MATINEE SERIES
On Saturday afternoons enjoy a lively performance and stay afterwards for a free Q&A with the acclaimed Ailey dancers in the theater.
Performance Dates: Dec. 17 mat, Dec. 24 mat*
*No Q&A during Christmas Eve matinee performance
CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to New York City Center November 30 – December 24, 2022, for a season that has become a joyous winter tradition. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey’s extraordinary dancers move audiences with world and company premieres by Kyle Abraham, Jamar Roberts, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp. In addition to repertory favorites and the must-see American masterpiece Revelations, founder Alvin Ailey’s choreography is spotlighted with a new production of Survivors and the staging of over half a dozen classics, including works from the legendary collaboration with Duke Ellington danced to live music at some performances. Tickets starting at $29 are on sale and can be purchased at the New York City Center Box Office, through CityTix® at (212) 581-1212, or online at alvinailey.org or nycitycenter.org. For further information, visit alvinailey.org.
Performance Times:
Tuesday – Thursday evenings 7:30pm
Wednesday matinee (December 21) 2:00pm
Friday & Saturday evenings 8:00pm
Saturday matinees 2:00pm
Sunday matinees 3:00pm
Christmas Eve 7:00pm (note earlier curtain time)
TICKET TO DANCE
Audience members are welcome to join in the dance at Ailey Extension’s real classes for real people with “Ticket to Dance”. New and returning students can redeem their performance ticket stub for a complimentary dance or fitness class either in-studio or virtually. Offer is valid until February 28, 2023.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS AT AILEY
CELEBRATING ALVIN AILEY WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 3PM | The Ailey Studios and Online
Celebrating our founder Alvin Ailey’s birthday with the National Director of AileyCamp and former Ailey dancer Nasha Thomas. Ms. Thomas will guide students through Mr. Ailey’s choreography and movement inspired by his work. This workshop offers dancers an opportunity to explore Mr. Ailey’s genius as a choreographer while learning more about his impact on the dance world and American history.
