Ailey II began their six-day, eight performance New York City season Tuesday, April 9th at the Joyce Theater. This season marked the fiftieth anniversary of the company, which has left an indelible mark on the Ailey organization and the dance world at large. The company is a dance finishing school, touring boot camp, and a choreographer’s laboratory for emerging dance makers and established choreographers.Continue reading
Another bout of Covid (our third slow dance) prevented me from seeing the new works presented during the first and second weeks of the Ailey season. When Covid and I finished our Rumba, I attended an All-Ailey matinee featuring four works, Night Creature, Cry, Survivors and Revelations. Continue reading
Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles.Continue reading
Ulysses Dove proclaiming a thoroughly exhilarating vision of female power and strength in Vespers. Inspired by Dove’s memories of his grandmother’s place of worship, this dramatic work showcases the athleticism and grace of six female dancers who are propelled by Mikel Rouse’s profound electronic score. Continue reading
On August 18 and 19 the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) began two days of interviews with dancers, choreographers and directors about their experiences with Thelma Hill and THPAC for the upcoming documentary To The Souls of Our Feet. The two days of filming captured the experiences of six artists, (George Faison, Alfred Gallman, Dyane Harvey Salaam, Abdel Salaam, Edisa Weeks, Jill Williams and Lakai Worrell), who lives and careers were directly impacted by Ms. Hill and/or THPAC.
THPAC Documentary Preview
Here is an excerpted from the upcoming documentary with the one and only dance and theater legend George Faison. The final filming will take place in the fall and we will keep you inform as our documentary “To The Souls of Our Feet” get one step closer to coming to a theater near you. For more information about the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center and/or to make a donation to the “To The Souls of Our Feet” documentary project visit https://www.thelmahill.org/. An additional filming date will take place later in the fall.
Dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience. Unfortunately his personal journey was not without its struggles. Continue reading
Donald McKayle’s 1959 masterwork, Rainbow Round My Shoulder, is acclaimed as a modern dance classic. A searing dramatic narrative, it is set on a chain gang in the American south where prisoners work, breaking rock from “can see to can’t see.” Their aspirations for freedom come in the guise of a woman, first as a vision then as a remembered sweetheart, mother, and wife. The songs that accompany their arduous labor are rich in polyphony and tell a bitter, sardonic, and tragic story. It was created for the Donald McKayle Dance Company, and has been in the repertoire of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Batsheva Dance Company and Dayton Contemporary Dance, among others. The cast in the video excerpt includes Donald McKayle and Mary Hinkson.Continue reading
Keith Lee describes his earlyHarkness experiences as a story book tale. While a student at the High School for the Performing Arts (aka Fame High) this dance phenom received a full scholarship to the Harkness House for Ballet Arts. This experience had a lasting impact and helped shape his own unique artistry as a dance, director, teacher and choreographer. In 1970 Lee made history when he became the first American of African descent to earn soloist status at American Ballet Theater.
Clive Thompson danced in the Golden Era of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Officially becoming a permanent member in 1970 when choreographer Ailey was entering a creative zenith. He viral good looks, skillful partnering, and his ability to capture audiences in both dramatic and abstract roles made him Ailey royalty.Continue reading
1Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
2Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
3Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
4Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
5Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
6Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
7Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
8Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
9Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
10Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
11Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
12Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
13Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
14Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
15Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
16Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
17Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
18Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
19Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
20Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
21Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
22Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
23Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
24Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
25Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
26Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
27Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art all day
28
29Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with Walter at 11:00 am
30
Today’s Events
Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art Paa Joe Brings NYC Icons to Life for "Celestial City" Art Ghanaian artist Paa Joe has brought some of New York City’s most iconic motifs to life. As part of Superhouse NYC’s inaugural “Celestial City” exhibition, the multidisciplinary artist served up a handful of lifesize sculptures of the city’s signature signage, including pizza boxes, taxi cabs, bagels and of course, rats.120 Walker Street, 6R New York, NY 10013
Upcoming Events
April 29, 2024
Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with WalterDance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with WalterTime: 11:00 am The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid
May 2, 2024
Dance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with WalterDance Of The Village Elders- In Person/Zoom with WalterTime: 11:00 am The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid