A fabled performance was AAADT beginning, a long time ago

Alvin Ailey… if you’re not a modern dance connoisseur, perhaps the name isn’t quite familiar. But just give me ten seconds:

Alvin Ailey, immense figure in the world of modern dance in the early 1950’s. Black, openly gay – and to make it all worse, lover to Socialist Party member David McReynolds -. Pupil and then heir to LA’s sacred icon, Lester Horton. Director of his very own dance company, the nowadays world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Company.

But that’s not all.

Even today, his rendition back in the 60’s of Langston Hughes ‘Jericho-Jim Crow’ remains a great historic musical and dance production. Back in those days, it openly dealt with many of the segregation and racial issues prevalent in those days.

Now, for a six engagement only, Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre Company –under the direction of Judith Jamison, - will be performing at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as part of their year-round Dance series.

Given how rare the chance to have them in town, (the company is based out of New York City) the company will be featuring three separate programs. Two of these works will be having their West Coast premieres.

In case you’re worried, Alvin Ailey’s now classic choreographed piece “Revelations”, will be included as part of all three programs. All other pieces will be performed in the following configurations:

Program A with "Ife/MyHeart," “Love Stories," and "Revelations" will be performed February 22 at 7:30pm & February 25 at 7:30pm.

Program B with "Reminiscin'," "Shining Star," and "Revelations" will be performed on February 23 at 7:30pm & February 26 at 2:00pm. 

Program C with "Night Creature,” "Solo," "Vespers," "Caught" and "Revelations" will be performed on February 24 at 7:30pm & February 25 at 2:00pm.

Judith Jamison has been Alvin Ailey’s Artistic Director since the untimely death of her mentor in 1989. Discovered by Agnes de Mille, she had her debut in New York in 1964 with the American Ballet Theatre and a year later, she joined the AAADT company and dance with them to great acclaim for over 15 years. Many of Ailey’s best choreography was created for her, including the mesmerizing tour de force solo, Cry.

Reminiscing, one of the two pieces having its West Coast premiere at the Music Center, is also choreographed by Judith Jamison with additional choreography by Ronald K. Brown, David Parsons, Hans van Manen, Ulysses Dove, Robert Battle and Rennie Harris.

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion @ the Music Center

135 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

Music Center Dance information line (213) 972-0711

For ticket information, go to www.musiccenter.org  

Tickets: $25 - $95 In Person - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office

Groups - 15 or more, call Connie Nelson at (310) 831-1022