The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County (@arshtcenter) is proud to present the return of ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER (@alvinailey) to the Ziff Ballet Opera House stage on February 2 and 3 for three performances as part of the company’s momentous 65th Anniversary Season. The engagement will showcase the passionate spirit and extraordinary technique of Ailey’s dancers in three exciting performances featuring new works and repertory favorites including Ailey’s classic Revelations and Ode, highlighting an all-female cast choregraphed by Miami native and former Ailey dancer, Jamar Roberts.

Tickets to ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER are $25, $45, $65, $79, $95, $125*, and may be purchased online at arshtcenter.org, or at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722.

The 65th season includes exciting new works commissioned especially for Ailey – Amy Hall Garner’s rousing, high-spirited tribute to her grandfather, CENTURY, and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s dreamlike reminiscence of romance, Me, Myself and You – alongside new productions of Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit, Solo by Hans van Manen and Ode by Miami’s own Jamar Roberts, a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence.

Each program provides audience members the opportunity to experience the power of Alvin Ailey’s must-see American masterpiece Revelations, acclaimed around the world for sending hearts soaring and lifting audiences to their feet with its perfect blend of reverent grace and spiritual elation. Since its debut in 1960, Revelations has been moving audiences with its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music, evoking timeless themes of determination, hope and transcendence. An intimate reflection of Mr. Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the African American community and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition.

In addition to the uplifting performances on stage, Ailey Arts In Education & Community programs brings Ailey’s legendary artistry into the community, schools, and engages young people throughout the year with programs like AileyCamp Miami. Offered in 10 cities nationwide and celebrating its 35th anniversary this summer, AileyCamp is a full scholarship six-week summer program for students ages 11-14 that uses the art of dance as a means to stretch their minds, bodies, and spirits. Hosted by the Arsht Center, AileyCamp Miami participants will join National Director Nasha Thomas for a reunion on Saturday, February 3 at the Arsht Center, to experience an uplifting performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s new season recently launched at New York City Center with a five-week holiday engagement. The 21-city United States tour  culminates with a Mother’s Day performance on Sunday, May 12.

 

Friday, February 2 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 3 at 2 p.m.

 

Pre-show activities on opening night, February 2:

Before the Friday night performance on February 2, the Arsht Center will celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Alvin Ailey and the African American cultural experience through a pre-show activation on the plaza in partnership with BOMA (Black Owned Media Alliance). Beginning at 6:00 p.m., Step Into Dance – A Tribute to Black History Month will feature a Revelations Celebration workshop where the community can learn choreography from the masterpiece followed by performances from the Florida Memorial University marching band, dance and step teams. Admission to the pre-show activation is free with a ticket to that evening’s performance.

 

6:00 p.m. – Revelations Celebration Community Workshop – Led by Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs Master Teacher and former Ailey dancer, Nasha Thomas

7:15 p.m. – Step team performance – Florida Memorial University 

7:25 p.m. – ROAR Elite Marching band performance – Florida Memorial University 

 

CENTURY

Amy Hall Garner’s first work for Ailey, CENTURY, is a deeply personal piece inspired by her grandfather on the eve of his 100th birthday. Taking a cue from his spirited essence and set to the music of Ray Charles, Count Basie, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and others, CENTURY is a pure dance work celebrating life, resilience and joy.

 

 

Me, Myself, and You – pause – Solo

Former Ailey dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s Me, Myself and You is a dreamlike duet about reminiscence. Set to Damien Sneed and Brandie Sutton’s rendition of “In a Sentimental Mood,” it conjures memories of love and passion for a woman asking herself if she should let go or forge ahead.

Hans van Manen divides his dynamic Solo among three dancers in a tour de force that challenges the Ailey men’s daring agility and grace. This explosive display of virtuosity and wit launches the performers into an exhilarating whirlwind of movement and musicality.

 

Revelations

Using African American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. More than just a popular dance work, it has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans. Seeing Revelations for the first time or the hundredth can be a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering, singing along and dancing in their seats from the opening notes of the plaintive “I Been ’Buked” to the rousing “Wade in the Water” and the triumphant finale, “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.”

 

 

Saturday, February 3 at 8 p.m.

 

Dancing Spirit

Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit pays tribute to Ailey Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison’s profound influence, using movement from Cuba, Brazil and the United States to conjure dancing spirits who embody Jamison’s elegance, dignity and generosity. 

 

Ode

Former Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts’ Ode offers a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence. This tender, engrossing work will be staged with an all-female cast and features a jazz score by Don Pullen and Roberts’ own costume designs. 

 

Revelations 

Using African American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. More than just a popular dance work, it has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans. Seeing Revelations for the first time or the hundredth can be a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering, singing along and dancing in their seats from the opening notes of the plaintive “I Been ’Buked” to the rousing “Wade in the Water” and the triumphant finale, “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.”