• WHAT: ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
• WHEN: Tuesday, April 29 & Wednesday, April 30, 2008 • 8:00 PM
• WHERE: Aronoff Center for the Arts – Procter & Gamble Hall
• PRICES: $50 • $40 • $30
• INFO: Join the celebration as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, America’s cultural ambassador to the world, marks its 50^th anniversary of bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the world’s stages. The genius of Alvin Ailey changed forever the perception of American dance; today the legacy continues with Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the Company’s dancers. Beauty, spirit, hope and passion know no bounds. That is the power of Ailey. At both Cincinnati performances, the program will feature: Love Stories, Solo, Vespers, and audience-favorite, Revelations.
  
  TICKET INFORMATION - on sale now!

• www.CincinnatiArts.ORG
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• CAA Ticket Offices (Aronoff Center & Music Hall)
• Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4157

CINCINNATI, OH – Hailed by The New York Times as being “rich with fine performers these days, both established and rising stars,” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater [AAADT] will soon bring the beauty, power, passion and artistry that are its hallmarks to Tri-state audiences. Led by acclaimed Artistic Director Judith Jamison, the Company will present a diverse repertory of revered classics and recent favorites from Tuesday, April 29 – Wednesday April 30 at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall.

Tickets are on sale now and are available at (513) 621-ARTS [2787], www.CincinnatiArts.ORG, or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

After completing 2007 with an appearance on the season five premiere of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and performing to sell-out crowds on a 13-city international tour and in a record-breaking New York City Center season, Ailey’s artists begin 2008 by sharing the “Ailey spirit” in 27 cities. In Cincinnati at both performances, the program will feature: Love Stories by Judith Jamison with Robert Battle and Rennie Harris, Solo by Hans van Manen, Vespers by Ulysses Dove, and audience-favorite, Revelations by Alvin Ailey. Program is subject to change.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Love Stories

Inspired by Sankofa, the Akan word which means “go back” (Sanko) and “take” (fa), Judith Jamison’s dynamic collaboration with hip-hop pioneer Rennie Harris and modern dance maverick Robert Battle examines the technique, energy, movement and rhythm of African-American social dances on a journey through past, present and future. Under Jamison’s direction, the unique styles, expressive voices and no-limits choreography of these artists draw on variations on the lindy-hop, Philly-bop, hip-hop and eclectic modern dance techniques to explore a love of movement, all set to the soundscape of engineer Darrin Ross and the music of the legendary Stevie Wonder.

Solo

Hans van Manen divides his kinetic Solo among three dancers in a tour de force work that challenges the Ailey men’s daring agility and grace. This explosive display of virtuosity and wit launches the men into an exhilarating whirlwind of movement and musicality. The San Francisco Examiner declared that Solo, “epitomizes dance at its essence.”

Vespers

Ulysses Dove's bold choreographic voice and daring athleticism are embodied by the phenomenal Ailey women in Vespers, a dramatic work full of raw energy and profound grace. Mikel Rouse's percussive score matches the dancers' insistent drive as they propel themselves across the stage in this ballet that The Village Voice proclaimed "astonishing – an exemplary vehicle for six Ailey women, showing off their streamlined power and how coldly they can burn."

Revelations

Alvin Ailey said that one of America’s richest treasures was the cultural heritage of the African-American – “sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful.” This enduring classic is a tribute to that heritage and to Ailey’s genius. Using African-American religious music – spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues – this suite fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

Each performance will begin with the short film Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 50 – A Golden Anniversary Celebration, which commemorates the rich 50-year history of this internationally renowned dance company. Beginning with the unique and revolutionary vision of Alvin Ailey and continuing with the triumphs of the company under the directorship of Judith Jamison, this film illustrates the growth of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from its now fabled performance in March 1958 to the building of the largest facility dedicated to dance in the United States.

AAADT has performed in over 70 countries on 6 continents, becoming the most-traveled dance company and regarded as America’s Cultural Ambassador to the World. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1958, AAADT’s inspiring performances honor and enrich the African American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition, uniting people of all backgrounds in a celebration of the human spirit through the universal language of dance. The 50^th Anniversary Celebration began nationwide at the end of March 2008, and will include 18 months of special public performances, commercial partnerships, events and projects.

Further more information about the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, visit www.alvinailey.org

Citigroup provides major support for the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation’s

Arts In Education programs.

Altria Group provides major support for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s New Works Fund.

American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

2007-08 Season Sponsors: THE UNION CENTRAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Founding Season Sponsor), CADILLAC (Official Vehicle), DUKE ENERGY, P&G FUND, LOCAL12 WKRC, FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner)

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER PERFROMANCE SPONSOR (Cincinnati Engagement) – Macy’s

CAA 2007-08 PRESENTING SPONSORS: CityBeat, The Cincinnatian Hotel, Premier Pianos, Natorp’s

CAA 2007-08 PROMOTIONAL SPONSORS: The Cincinnati Herald

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), America’s Cultural Ambassador to the World, was founded in 1958 and has performed for more than 21 million people in 71 countries and on 6 continents. Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. is the umbrella organization which includes AAADT; Ailey II, founded in 1974 as a junior performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School, founded in 1969 and currently offering some of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs which is committed to bringing dance into the classrooms, communities and lives of people throughout the world; and The Ailey Extension, a program that offers dance and fitness classes to the general public.

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of one million people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached nearly three-quarters of a million students.

CAA is proud to be a member of Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, and Performing Arts Center Consortium.