News

Alvin Ailey Celebrates 60th Anniversary At The Fox

Behind the Scenes of Robert Battle’s Takademe.

Paul Kolnik

The month of February is associated with some important observances. But for many of us in Atlanta, February means the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and reason to rejoice.

Robert Battle became the artistic director in 2011 after being personally selected by Judith Jamison. Making him only the third person to head the company since it’s founding in 1958.

The Fox Theater is celebrating Ailey’s 60th Anniversary Season this upcoming weekend.

Their opening show at the Fox Theater begins tonight at 8 p.m. The performances will run through Sunday evening.

The newest addition to the Alvin Ailey choreography team, is Rennie Harris.

Inspired by the life and legacy of Mr. Ailey, hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris – the organization’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence – connects past and present in a powerful ensemble work that addresses the racial inequities America faced when Mr. Ailey founded this company in 1958 and still faces today.

The Company’s first two-act ballet, Lazarus is set to a soundtrack produced by Darrin Ross, with his original music, and featuring Nina Simone, Terrence Trent D’Arby, Michael Kiwanuka, Odetta.

There’s also spoken text written and adapted by Rennie Harris that is performed by Wadud Ahmad, Rennie Harris, as well as the voice of Alvin Ailey.