Alvin Ailey dancers return to Phillips Center
Expect to be amazed, inspired and thankful that you won't miss an opportunity to see the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
The Alvin Ailey dancers will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Phillips Center on the University of Florida campus. Tickets will be $25-$50, and are available at the Phillips Center Box Office or by calling 352-392-2787 and at www.ticketmaster.com.
Michael Blachly, director of the Phillips Center, said the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most acknowledged dance companies in the world and the first U.S. dance company to be relevant to world culture.
"They're absolutely incredible," Blachly said. "You get a feeling of wonder and exuberance. The movement, the music, the costumes — you leave in awe."
Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) was an African-American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is credited with popularizing modern dance, and during his lifetime, he created 79 ballets, including his masterpiece, "Revelations."
Todd Taylor, public relations associate at the Phillips Center, said tickets are selling really fast, so you may want to get your ticket right away. He said this show will mark the company's seventh appearance at the Phillips Center; the last was in 2006.
Taylor said the show will feature four pieces and will end with "Revelations," which was first produced in 1960. The dance explores the story of African-American faith and determination from slavery to freedom through dances set to blues, gospel and spirituals.
Blachly said the show's first piece will be "Arden Court," a dance choreographed in 1981 by Paul Taylor and set to recorded symphony music. Taylor is considered to be one of the foremost American choreographers of the 20th century. The second piece will be "Takademe," which mixes dance and high-flying movement and was choreographed in 1999 by Robert Battle, now the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The third piece will be "Home," a bold hip-hop production choreographer in 2011 by Rennie Harris, also a choreographer and professor of hip-hop dance.
"On their long 50-year history, the vision that was created by Alvin Ailey has been maintained after his passing," Blachly said. "No matter what you go see in the theater, you'd want to come see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."
What: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Gainesville. When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Where: Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, SW 34th Street and Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$50. Information: Call 352-392-2787 or visit http://performingarts.ufl.edu.