Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Yesterday evening, I took a trip to Charlotte, NC to watch the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform. This occasion was an extra special one, as a childhood friend of mine, Aisha, has been dancing for the company since 2008 and this was the first time I'd seen her dance with them. Aisha's mother, Cheryl, owned and operated the dance studio where I first learned to dance. She used to show us videos of dance companies and choreographers like Alvin Ailey, Garth Fagan and Talley Beatty and we would sometimes be lucky enough to attend a performance or a master class with such organizations. Now that all of us girls who used to dance at Cheryl's studio are all grown up, it has been interesting to see what we have all become: professional dancers, lawyers, ministers, filmmakers, arts administrators, and so on.

Yesterday's performance was an astonishing production that included 15 works, most of which, were excerpts. A proverbial marathon for any dancer to dance and audience member to watch.

From the moment the curtain opened, the company burst into action, setting the mood for the evening in an excerpt from The Stack Up (1982, Talley Beatty). The dancers move to catchy Jazz music with the virtuosic physicality the company is known for, energetic exuberance and dare I say it: Fierceness. Adding to the excitement of the movement were the brightly colored costumes, which created streaks and swirls of color as the dancers weaved in and out between each other and became intermingled in flashy partner work.

A contemplative contrast from works before it, Polish Pieces (1995, Hans Van Manen) was a beautifully executed duet between Rachel McLaren and Jamar Roberts. The dancers exhibited sensitivity, grace and control in this simple, no -frills presentation. The clean lines created by the simple costumes showed off the dancers' strong bodies well and invited viewers to appreciate their statuesque forms, as well as their regal movements.

The Winter in Libson (1992, Billy Wilson), with music by Dizzy Gillespie brought the ambiance in the theater back to a level of high excitement, with sassy latin dance moves and lots of pizzaz! As I looked across the theater, I could see audience members all bopping in their seats, almost ready to jump onstage and join the company in the fun!

The evening was topped off with a performance of Mr. Ailey's most celebrated work, Revelations (1960). The company delivered powerful, emotionally charged interpretations of each section of the piece. Most poignant of sections were Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, with its driving rhythm and heavy movement, Wade in the Water, which filled the stage space with flowing fabric and brilliant imagery, and I Wanna be Ready, a passionate, reverent solo. By the end of the journey, Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham had the whole stage bouncing and the whole audience clapping! A joyous way to end the evening.

As the company took their bows, I felt honored to have been in the presence of such fine dancers and such fine choreography. After the show, I had some time to catch up with Aisha and we shared all that is happening in our lives, which was a happy affair.

Tha Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to uphold the legacy left by Mr. Ailey with poise and respect for his ever relevant and undying vision. If they happen upon a city near you, it would be a shame to miss!

~Cara