• Part of Dance Consortium UK Tour 2016

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world’s most popular dance companies, will return to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time in six years and present two exhilarating programmes on 23 & 24 September during its autumn tour 2016.

Founded in 1958, the company is recognised by the U.S. Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World.” Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey’s performances celebrate the human spirit through the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. In almost six decades, Ailey’s artists have performed for over 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents and continue to wow audiences and critics around the world.

Artistic Director ROBERT BATTLE said:I’m proud to continue Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s legacy of extensive international tours with my inaugural visit leading the Company’s extraordinary dancers through the United Kingdom.  I’m excited for audiences old and new to experience the uplifting performances that have inspired people the world over, fulfilling Mr. Ailey’s belief that ‘Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people.’”

The programme will include UK premieres by some of today’s most acclaimed choreographers: the uplifting Exodus by hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris; the spiritual journey of Four Corners by Ronald K. Brown; and the Cuban-inspired Open Door by Ronald K. Brown. Company UK premieres include the dreamlike duet After the Rain Pas de Deux by Christopher Wheeldon and the passionate homage to tango’s Argentinian working class roots in Piazzolla Caldera by Paul Taylor.

Drawing the evening to a close will be Revelations by Alvin Ailey. The beloved crowd-pleaser, the most widely-seen modern dance work in the world, will be performed by the incomparable Ailey dancers. Revelations premiered in 1960 and continues to bring audiences all around the world to their feet.

Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive FIONA ALLAN commented: We’re so excited to be welcoming Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their fourth visit to the Hippodrome.  I’ve been lucky to see them live on many occasions – both in the UK and in their home city of New York- and truly think they are one of the most compelling and inventive dance companies anywhere in the world.

“The Hippodrome is one of the best stages for dance in Europe, and so seeing one of the world’s greatest companies perform here is a real treat.   It’s no wonder we remain committed  to presenting world class dance here in Birmingham- over spring we are bringing companies and dancers from Taiwan, Canada, France, Argentina, the Netherlands , as well as the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Shakespeare Season and farewell performances by ballet superstar Carlos Acosta. Autumn will see our co-presentation of Vamos Cuba- incredible dancers and musicians from Havana.  For me, Alvin Ailey is the icing on the cake of an unforgettable year- I can’t recommend this company highly enough.”  

The Ailey BIRMINGHAM 2016 programmes, which is subject to alteration, will be as follows: 

Programme A: Exodus / Four Corners / After the Rain Pas de Deux / Revelations

Programme B: Open Door / Piazzolla Caldera / Revelations

UK Premieres

Exodus (2015) Choreography by Rennie Harris / Music: Original compositions by Raphael Xavier, “A New Deal” by Ost & Kjex. Acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie (Lorenzo) Harris created a work that explores the idea of “exodus” – from one’s ignorance and conformity – as a necessary step toward enlightenment. Set to gospel and house music along with spoken word, the work underscores the crucial role of action and movement in effecting change. Exemplifying his view of hip hop as a “celebration of life”, Exodus marks Harris’ latest invitation to return to spiritual basics and affirm who we are. His previous contributions to the Ailey repertory include Home (2011) and Love Stories (2004), Judith Jamison’s dynamic collaboration with Harris and Robert Battle.

Four Corners (2013) Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown / Music: Carl Hancock Rux, Yacoub & Various Artists. Four Corners brings to life the vision of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds. Drawing inspiration from the lyrics of Rux’s Lamentations, Four Corners trails 11 dancers as they rise to seek a life of peace on the “mountaintop”; a powerful and hope-filled journey of tribulation, devotion and triumph.

Open Door (2015). Choreography by Ronald K. Brown / Music: Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Acclaimed choreographer Ronald K. Brown’s Cuban-inspired Open Door is a work for 10 dancers set to the music of Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, including their recent Grammy-Award winning album Cuba: The Conversation Continues. Brown’s travels to Cuba inspired much of the movement, from the salsa partnering to the references to Elegba – the Santería god who opens pathways.  A testament to the power of dance and music as vehicles for culture and compassion, Open Door marked Brown’s sixth work for the Company.

Company UK premieres

After the Rain Pas de Deux (2005 / Ailey Company Premiere 2014) Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon / Music: Arvo Pärt. An instant hit at New York City Ballet in 2005, Christopher Wheeldon’s dreamlike duet – praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering – is revealed in a fresh light as the Ailey dancers make it their own. Set to music by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, the sensual male‐female pas de deux has resonated deeply with audiences and marked the first work by Christopher Wheeldon to enter the Ailey repertory.

Piazzolla Caldera (1997 / Ailey Company Premiere 2015) Choreography by Paul Taylor / Music: Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy Peterburshsky. Set to music by Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy Peterburshsky, Piazzolla Caldera is a finely wrought work sizzling with erotic energy by modern dance master Paul Taylor that captures the essence of tango culture. Men and women engage in a series of fiery encounters, in turns playful and predatory, in vivid duets and trios through the work’s four sections, in this passionate homage to tango’s Argentinian working class roots.

Ailey Classic

Revelations (1960) Choreography by Alvin Ailey / Music: Traditional Spirituals. More than just a popular dance work, Revelations has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans. An American classic acclaimed as a must-see for all, Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece is a tribute to his heritage and genius. Using African-American spirituals, the work fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. Seeing Revelations for the first time or the hundredth can be a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering, singing along and dancing in their seats from the opening notes of the plaintive I Been ’Buked to the rousing Wade in the Water and the triumphant finale, Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.

  • Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB
  • Tickets, dining and membership: 0844 338 5000 (calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge)
  • Select your own seats online: com
  • Tickets from £10 (prices and discounts subject to change, 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person, postage from £1)

-ENDS-

21 April 2016

For additional press materials please visit:
danceconsortium.com/touring/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-2016/resources/

For review tickets and interviews please contact:

Amy Haycock, Media & PR Officer, 0121 689 3065 amyhaycock@birmighamhippodrome.com

Chris Cooper, Marketing Officer, 0121 689 3062 chriscooper@birminghamhippodrome.com

International Tour Sponsor:

ABOUT ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a now-fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance.  Founded by Alvin Ailey, recent posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honour, and guided by Judith Jamison beginning in 1989, the Company is now led by Robert Battle, whom Judith Jamison chose to succeed her on July 1, 2011. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on 6 continents, promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition.  In addition to being the Principal Dance Company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a year-end tradition, the Ailey company performs annually at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark where it is the Principal Resident Affiliate), and appears frequently in other major theatres throughout the United States and the world during extensive yearly tours.  The Ailey organization also includes Ailey II (1974), a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School (1969), one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs, which brings dance into the classrooms, communities and lives of people of all ages; and The Ailey Extension (2005), a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general  public, which began with the opening  of Ailey’s permanent home—the  largest building dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world —named The Joan Weill Center for Dance, at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org


About Dance Consortium

Dance Consortium is a group of 17 large scale venues located across the UK. Since its formation in 2000 Dance Consortium has presented 37 tours by 22 different companies from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Israel and the USA. Their performances and education activities have been experienced by hundreds of thousands of people across all parts of the UK. Dance Consortium receives investment as a national portfolio organisation of Arts Council England.

Dance Consortium members: Grand Opera House Belfast, Birmingham Hippodrome, Alhambra Theatre Bradford, Brighton Dome, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, Festival Theatre Edinburgh,  Curve Theatre Leicester, Sadler’s Wells London, Milton Keynes Theatre, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham with Dance 4, Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Lowry Salford, The Mayflower, Southampton, New Victoria Theatre, Woking. For more information, visit www.danceconsortium.com


About BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

Birmingham Hippodrome is an independent, not-for-profit, registered charity welcoming an average 500,000 visits annually making it the most popular single auditorium in the UK. Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange are resident partners; the theatre presents all of Welsh National Opera’s repertoire, co-produces the award-winning International Dance Festival and welcomes the best in international dance, major touring dramas, and West End musicals. It is home to the world’s biggest Pantomime and also houses the 200-seat Patrick Centre for the Performing Arts, with extensive events facilities and its own restaurant.

As a charity with no public revenue funding, Birmingham Hippodrome receives generous support from the business community through sponsorship and other partnerships; from individuals through donations and memberships; and from grant-making Trusts for special programming and infrastructure projects. It is a major employer and plays a leading role in the Southside Business Improvement District.

Hippodrome CREATIVE delivers successful projects in education and the wider community.  With numerous supportive partners it has recently presented and produced new events including Minimum Monument, The Voyage, Summer in Southside, About Town, Blitz, the 4 Squares Weekender (celebrating the opening of the Library of Birmingham) and Birmingham Weekender. It will shortly launch an extensive Heritage project and is presenting Furious Folly this summer co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW for the World War One commemorations.