Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Robert Battle, artistic director
Matthew Rushing, associate artistic director
Only a pandemic could keep the Ailey company away from the UC Berkeley campus, where it has been performing regularly for more than half a century—appearing at Zellerbach Hall more than any other place in the world outside of New York City.
Following the smashing success of its video presentation for Cal Performances at Home this June, the peerless Ailey dancers return—in person again after two long years!—as the company resumes its annual residency with programs that uplift and inspire. Under the leadership of Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to embody the legacy of its founder by celebrating artistic excellence, unbounded creativity, and the power of art to transform and engage. Expect daring new works placed in fascinating conversation with timeless classics like Ailey’s own Revelations.
“The Ailey company has always told stories about the black experience…but now the subject matter, imagery and idiom are sharper, more affecting and memorable. Ailey is doing what few major dance organizations do: It is keeping pace with the times, and the conversation” (The Washington Post).
Patron Sponsors: Gail and Dan Rubinfeld
PROGRAM A (Tue, Mar 29, 7:30pm & Fri, Apr 1, 8pm) Robert Battle Tenth Anniversary |
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ROBERT BATTLE | Mass (2004; music: John Mackey) In/Side (2008; music: “Wild is the Wind,” recorded by Nina Simone) Ella (2008; music: Ella Fitzgerald) For Four (2021; Bay Area Premiere; music: Wynton Marsalis) Unfold (2007; music: Gustave Charpentier, recorded by Leontyne Price) Takademe (1999; music: “Speaking in Tongues II,” performed by Sheila Chandra Love Stories finale (2004; music: Stevie Wonder) |
ALVIN AILEY | Revelations (1960; music: traditional spirituals) |
PROGRAM B (Wed, Mar 30, 7:30pm & Sat, Apr 2, 8pm) |
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RENNIE HARRIS | Lazarus (2018; music: Darrin Ross) |
ALVIN AILEY | Revelations (1960; music: traditional spirituals) |
PROGRAM C (Thu, Mar 31, 7:30pm) |
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JAMAR ROBERTS | Holding Space (2021; West Coast Premiere, staged version; Cal Performances Co-Commission; music: Tim Hecker) |
ROBERT BATTLE | For Four (2021; Bay Area Premiere; music: Wynton Marsalis) |
ALVIN AILEY | Reflections in D (1963; music: Duke Ellington) |
ASZURE BARTON | BUSK (2009; music: various artists) |
PROGRAM D (Sat, Apr 2, 2pm) All Ailey |
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ALVIN AILEY | Blues Suite (1958; music: traditional; performed by Brother John Sellers) Pas de Duke (1976; music: Duke Ellington) Cry (1971; music: Alice Coltrane, Laura Nyro, and The Voices of East Harlem) Revelations (1960; music: traditional spirituals) |
PROGRAM E (Sun, Apr 3, 3pm) |
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JAMAR ROBERTS | Holding Space (2021; West Coast Premiere, staged version; Cal Performances Co-Commission; music: Tim Hecker) |
ASZURE BARTON | BUSK (2009; music: various artists) |
ALVIN AILEY | Revelations (1960; music: traditional spirituals) |