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CELEBRATE BEST OF AMERICAN MUSIC AND DANCE AT WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE THIS AUTUMN |
Otis Redding and Nina Simone are just two of the artists providing the soundtrack to an American dance company who will visit Wales for the first time in their 52 year history on the 12 and 13 October this year. Texan-born Alvin Ailey established the ‘Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’ in 1958. Based in New York, the company is a celebration of African-American culture, founded on Ailey’s passionate belief that ‘dance is for everyone.’ 'Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s' visit to Wales Millennium Centre is part of the Centre’s Black History Month celebrations. The company fuses together traditional and contemporary African-American music and movement. They will perform a quartet of pieces at Wales Millennium Centre which showcase the best American soul, blues and gospel music: • ‘Suite Otis’: Is a homage to Otis Redding and is set to some of the soul legend’s most stirring songs including ‘Try a Little Tenderness’ and ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’. ‘Suite Otis’ takes a playful and humorous look at the age-old battle of the sexes, with just a splash of romance added for good measure. The choreography is by Tony-award winner, George Faison, a dentist by trade who was inspired to join 'Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre' after watching one of their performances. • ‘In/Side’: Nina Simone’s evocative version of 'Wild is the Wind' is the inspiration behind ‘In/Side’ choreographed by the company’s Artistic Director Designate, Robert Battle. This solo piece, which portrays man’s most personal struggles, is raw, gutsy and physical, and is as unrestrained as Simone’s unmistakeable voice. • ‘Dancing Spirit’: Jazz from Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis can be heard alongside British rock band Radiohead in ‘Dancing Spirit’, a tribute to the company’s current Artistic Director, Judith Jamison, and the title of her autobiography. The piece features Cuban, Brazilian and America moves that conjure Jamison’s dancing spirits. • ‘Revelations’: This is the company’s signature piece and has been seen by more people around the world than any other piece of contemporary dance. Using traditional African-American gospel and blues music, ‘Revelations' was choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself, half a century ago. The piece explores the deepest grief and the highest joys that human beings experience, the emotion of which compels audiences to their feet, time after time. The company’s appeal and status is widespread. 'Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater' has an international reputation as ambassadors of American culture. They have performed for more than 21 million people in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents. In recognition of the company’s fiftieth anniversary in 2008, it announced that American chat show host Oprah Winfrey was to be its Honorary Chair. Barbie manufacturer Mattel recently launched an Alvin Ailey Barbie doll, based on Judith Jamison, the first doll of its kind to be influenced by a dance company. Fiona Allan Wales Millennium Centre’s Artistic Director said: ‘Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater' is one of my favourite companies on the planet. I visited the company in New York last December especially to choose the programme to bring to the Centre and I’m convinced this will be one of the very best shows we’ve ever bought to Wales. I can’t stress that enough. ‘The company transport you from the gospel and tribal traditions of the Deep South to the glitz of an MGM musical – with some stunning contemporary dance for good measure. The emotion that comes through the performance and the impact of the music results in spontaneous applause from the audience. Every time I’ve seen them perform there has been an instant standing ovation at the end. It’s a real music and dance treat and I urge you not to miss it.’ |
| wales millennium centre web site: www.wmc.org.uk/alvinailey |
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Thursday, September 23, 2010 |
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