Posted 9:39 pm Friday, February 03, 2012
Cowan Center Brings Acclaimed Ailey Dancers To Tyler Next Week
Looking for something different from the usual dinner and a movie on Valentine's Day? The Ailey dancers may have just the thing.
A special Valentine's Day performance of Ailey II will be held at the UT Tyler Cowan Center on Tuesday.
"The Ailey dancers are some of the most talented and graceful artists, so this is a lovely gift for someone special on Valentine's Day. You will thoroughly enjoy the stirring and engaging performances," said Cowan Center Executive Director Susan Thomae-Morphew. "The program will include Donald Byrd's Shards, Jessica Lang's Splendid Isoltion II, The Calling, The Hunt by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's new artistic director Robert Battle and Alvin Ailey's signature masterpiece, Revelations, will close the evening."
Revelations tells the story of African-American faith and tenacity through a suite of dances set to spirituals and blues music.
In his autobiography, Ailey discussed the inspiration, creative process and performance of many of his works. Revelations, believed to have been performed for more people than any other ballet created in the 20th Century, receives the most in depth commentary.
Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people. Today, it has become one of the most popular dance companies in the United States.
Under the artistic direction of former Ailey dancer, Sylvia Waters, and the associate artistic direction of Troy Powell, the Ailey spirit shines as these artists perform an exhilarating and diverse repertoire that includes Ailey's timeless classics and thrilling new works by today's most outstanding choreographers, such as Judith Jamison, Talley Beatty, Ulysses Dove, Donald Byrd and George Faison.
The company has toured extensively and performed at the world-famous Apollo Theater, the Ailey Citigroup Theater and the Joyce Theater, which is considered one of the premiere venues for dance.
It has received numerous honors, awards and proclamations in recognition of residencies at major colleges and universities as well as visits to elementary, middle and high schools across the country.
Tickets are $57, $52, $47, $42, $37 and $27 and can be purchased online at www.cowancenter.org, by phone at 903-566-7424 or at the box office. Box office hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour prior to the performance.
