Cal Performances' time-honored relationship with the legendary Alvin Ailey Dance Theater affords Bay Area audiences more opportunities than anywhere outside of the company's New York home to witness the troupe's distinctive charisma and dynamism. For more than 40 years, the troupe originally founded by Alvin Ailey in 1958 to promote the uniqueness of African-American cultural expression has created poetry in motion that stirs the spirit and lifts the soul. Now under the inspired direction of Judith Jamison, the dancers' eclectic repertory is filled with the work of this country's most inventive choreographers, yet remains infused with Ailey's enduring spirituality and uplifting vision. The powerhouse company returns for its annual visit with new works and perennial favorites, including Ailey's undisputed 1960 masterpiece, Revelations. "Somewhere in dance heaven, where surely he must be, Alvin Ailey is smiling with pride," said the San Francisco Chronicle after Alvin Ailey Dance Theater's triumphant sold-out Berkeley performances in 2002. "The Bay Area's love affair with the Ailey dancers only grows stronger with each season."

Program A (2/21 & 2/22 eve): Lynne Taylor-Corbett/Prayers from the Edge (Bay Area premiere), music by Peter Gabriel; Ohad Naharin/Black Milk (Bay Area premiere), music by Paul Smadbeck; Elisa Monte/Treading, music by Steve Reich Eighteen Musicians; Ailey/Revelations

Program B (2/22 mat, 2/26 & 3/1 mat): Ailey Classics, including excerpts from Memoria, Night Creaure, Phases, Opus McShann, A Song For You, For 'Bird' with Love, Hidden Rites, and Cry, plus a full performances of Revelations

Program C (2/23, 2/27 & 3/2): Billy Wilson/The Winter in LISBON, music by Dizzy Gillespie; Ronald K. Brown/Serving Nia, music by Roy Brooks, Brandford Marsalis, M Bemba Bangoura, Dizzy Gillespie; Carmen de Lavallade/Sweet Bitter Love, set to "Until it's Time for You to Go", "For All We Know", and "Sweet Bitter Love"; Revelations

Program D (2/28 & 3/1): Prayer From the Edge; Francesca Harper/Apex, music by Rolf Ellmer; The Winter in LISBON

JUDITH JAMISON ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Masazumi Chaya ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

For more information on this event, please see New & Notable.

Corporate Sponsor:

Major support for the U.S. tour provided by:

Patron Information:
Program Notes: Program notes are available online beginning one week prior to performance.
Parking Alerts:

Education and Community Events:
Family Fare Performance: Sat, Feb 22, 2 pm — children 16 and under half price.

Family Fare performance (2/22) sponsored by:

Donor Events:

Related Performances:
Momix Dance Theater
Tango Buenos Aires

Artists links:
www.alvinailey.org