Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre comes to Jax

From their initial 1958 performance at a New York City YMCA all the way to 2012 at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater comes the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

            Ailey's choreographic masterpiece Revelations is a must-see modern dance performance. According to alvinailey.org, "When Mr. Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon his "blood memories" of Texas, the blues, spirituals and gospel as inspiration, which resulted in the creation of [this] most popular and critically acclaimed work." Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance.

            The dance company had gained a reputation as an unofficial cultural ambassador because of its extensive international touring. In 2008, a U.S. Congressional resolution made it official by designating the company as "a vital American cultural ambassador to the world," one that celebrates the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage.

            Today, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to dazzle audiences with captivating performances and unparalleled artistry, fulfilling Ailey's vision that "dance is for everybody." The company has performed for an estimated 23 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents, and now they return to Jacksonville with Robert Battle, their new artistic director, at the helm to continue Alvin Ailey's dream of bringing dance from the people back to the people. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28th at the Times-Union Center.  Tickets can be purchased from artistseriesjax.orgor at 904-632-3373.