Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School and AileyCamp are putting on a virtual benefit tonight and it’s not just for high-donors. Venues can’t be used now, so the event is going on-line. You can join the event, Still, We Dance, at 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PM PDT on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo Pages. If you can’t watch it live tonight, you’ll be able to watch it for one week.
Joining the renowned dance company for this benefit are special guests Angela Bassett, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Issa Rae, Tim Shriver, Bryan Stevenson and Lorraine Toussaint. If you want to continue the party afterwards there is going to be an on-line dance party with DJ D-NICE and DJ Ms. Nix.
Like many events in our Covid-19 world, Still, We Dance is a fundraiser for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, but donations are not required to watch the event. Nonetheless, they are encouraged.
The company began its life in 1958 after a legendary performance at the 92 Street Y in New York. Robert Battle, the Artistic Director of the company, discussed the significance of Ailey’s company in this video from 2016.
Battle became Artistic Director after Judith Jamison selected him to succeed her after 21 years leading the company. She was selected by Ailey himself. Ailey passed away in 1989.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has remained vital through the performance of classic works and continuing to commission and create new works. The company has performed over 225 works by nearly 100 choreographers over the course of its history. They remain one of the most important dance companies in America, if not the world.
In 2018 I spoke with one of their star dancers, Yannick Lebrun, about his experiences with the company as they were about to perform at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Amongst the things he revealed was the important of his education at Ailey’s school and how the experience of working with them as a boy informed his decision to want to join the company when he got older.
“The late Denise Jefferson came to the Caribbean in Martinique and my home country [French Guiana] and she noticed me at the age of 14. This is when I was able to receive a scholarship for summer intensive. I discovered the scale of Alvin Ailey, the Graham technique and others I was not familiar with. I was able to work with different choreographers and teachers and that inspired me to become a pro dancer. My goal was to be an Ailey dancer after those beautiful experiences I had as a young boy. I know this was where I wanted to dance. That’s why after high school in 2004 I moved to New York City.”
Fans of dance will want to check this out. Remember, tonight it is live, but you have a full week to catch Still, We Dance and share in the spirit of Alvin Ailey.
Photo: Jacqueline Green and Jamar Roberts (Photo by Andrew Eccles/Courtesy Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)