Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater honors Judith Jamison's twentieth anniversary as artistic director during annual season at City Center (photo by Paul Kolnick)
New York City Center
130 West 56th St. between Sixth & Seventh Aves.
December 2 – January 3
Tickets: $25-$175
212-581-1212
www.alvinailey.org
www.nycitycenter.org
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is celebrating Judith Jamison’s twentieth anniversary as artistic director in appropriate style and panache with a number of very special programs during its annual fall/winter season at City Center, including several world premieres: AAADT veteran Matthew Rushing’s “Uptown,” Ronald K. Brown’s specially commissioned “Dancing Spirit,” and Jamison’s own “Among Us (Private Spaces: Public Places).” In addition, Anna Deavere Smith will appear onstage to present her libretto for a new production of Jamison’s Emmy-winning “Hymn,” and “Best of 20 Years” will feature a forty-five-minute compilation of excerpts of thirteen pieces from Jamison’s tenure, by such choreographers as Alonzo King, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Dwight Rhoden, Lar Lubovitch, Garth Fagan, and Donald Byrd. Also on the itinerary are George Faison’s “Suite Otis,” Alvin Ailey’s “Memoria” and “Blues Suite” (the latter with live music by the Brawner Brothers), Mauro Bigonzetti’s “Festa Barocca,” Elsa Monte’s “Treading,” Hans van Manen’s “Solo,” Ulysses Dove’s “Episodes,” Robert Battle’s “Unfold” and “In/Side” (a company premiere), the Ailey classic “Revelations” (with live music), and Jamison’s “Love Stories” (choreographed with Battle and Rennie Harris). Seeing Ailey at City Center has become quite a holiday tradition that no fan of contemporary dance should miss.