2023 is a milestone year for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Aaadt) and its artistic director emerita Judith Jamison. On May 10, Jamison celebrated her 80th birthday, and on Nov. 29, the dance company will hold its annual opening night gala celebrating its 65th season; founder Alvin Ailey and a group of Black dancers first performed under the Aaadt name in New York City in March of 1958.
“Numbers and ages really do matter,” says Jamison, a Philadelphia native who began dance training at the age of 6 at the Judimar School of Dance. “I love when people say, ‘The number doesn’t matter.’ Oh, yes it does when you’ve been dancing most of your life. It matters a whole lot because your body is catching up to what craziness you were doing as a dancer. At 80, everything doesn’t work the same way. And that’s the challenge, finding out, what can I do?...
“Numbers and ages really do matter,” says Jamison, a Philadelphia native who began dance training at the age of 6 at the Judimar School of Dance. “I love when people say, ‘The number doesn’t matter.’ Oh, yes it does when you’ve been dancing most of your life. It matters a whole lot because your body is catching up to what craziness you were doing as a dancer. At 80, everything doesn’t work the same way. And that’s the challenge, finding out, what can I do?...
- 11/27/2023
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Hollywood events return to full force in New York and Los Angeles amid the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings, including red carpets for Stranger Things, Conversations With Friends, Pistol and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
Stranger Things season four world premiere
After a three-year hiatus since the last season, Stranger Things returned in a big way on Saturday, with a star-studded premiere event in Brooklyn featuring Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton.
Downton Abbey: A New Era NY premiere
The Metropolitan Opera House hosted the New York premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era on Sunday, welcoming back its stars Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Raquel Cassidy, Hugh Dancy, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern and creator Julian Fellowes.
Stranger Things season four world premiere
After a three-year hiatus since the last season, Stranger Things returned in a big way on Saturday, with a star-studded premiere event in Brooklyn featuring Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton.
Downton Abbey: A New Era NY premiere
The Metropolitan Opera House hosted the New York premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era on Sunday, welcoming back its stars Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Raquel Cassidy, Hugh Dancy, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern and creator Julian Fellowes.
- 5/20/2022
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This review of “Ailey” was first published after its premiere at January’s Sundance Film Festival.
A firm believer in what he called “blood memories,” everything that choreographer extraordinaire Alvin Ailey did, he charged with intentionality; the joy and pain of those before him influenced his artistry from the inside out. The American dance legend, a pioneer in making the Black experience part of the art form, gets a thorough and evocative documentary — if still veiled about his personal life — in director Jamila Wignot’s “Ailey,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Audio, and occasionally video, from interviews with Ailey chronicle his earliest years as child of the Great Depression in Texas. His hazy voice comes through as if narrating from the distant past. Illustrative footage from the time, even if not always portraying Ailey himself, places him as a part of a the greater stream of...
A firm believer in what he called “blood memories,” everything that choreographer extraordinaire Alvin Ailey did, he charged with intentionality; the joy and pain of those before him influenced his artistry from the inside out. The American dance legend, a pioneer in making the Black experience part of the art form, gets a thorough and evocative documentary — if still veiled about his personal life — in director Jamila Wignot’s “Ailey,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Audio, and occasionally video, from interviews with Ailey chronicle his earliest years as child of the Great Depression in Texas. His hazy voice comes through as if narrating from the distant past. Illustrative footage from the time, even if not always portraying Ailey himself, places him as a part of a the greater stream of...
- 8/5/2021
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Lorne Michaels, Berry Gordy and Justino Díaz are the latest crop of honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Wednesday.
The Kennedy Center Honors will honor the five individuals as part of its 44th edition, which will be the second event this year after the previous crop of honorees was recognized in a hybrid live and virtual tribute in May. The 44th Kennedy Center Honors will take place in a gala event at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Dec. 5.
The ceremony will be broadcast in a two-hour prime-time special on CBS at a date to still be determined. The event will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
Midler is a two-time Oscar nominee, and her career as a beloved entertainer, actress and singer has spread across six decades.
Mitchell is one of the most influential...
The Kennedy Center Honors will honor the five individuals as part of its 44th edition, which will be the second event this year after the previous crop of honorees was recognized in a hybrid live and virtual tribute in May. The 44th Kennedy Center Honors will take place in a gala event at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Dec. 5.
The ceremony will be broadcast in a two-hour prime-time special on CBS at a date to still be determined. The event will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
Midler is a two-time Oscar nominee, and her career as a beloved entertainer, actress and singer has spread across six decades.
Mitchell is one of the most influential...
- 7/21/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
If, like me (and many others), you’ve seen performances by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and found them to be spellbinding but know relatively little about the man himself, a documentary like “Ailey” sounds like manna from heaven: a chance to immerse yourself in the life of a singular dance titan — to discover who he was as a human being and as a master builder of modern American movement. Yet “Ailey,” directed by Jamila Wignot, doesn’t always answer the questions you expect it to.
We learn about how Ailey, born in 1931, spent his early years in Texas, raised by a single mother (he never knew his father) with little money or direction; they wandered, and when he was a kid he picked cotton. Wignot uses black-and-white archival footage to evoke what the Texas childhood of a rural African-American during the Depression might have looked like, and the...
We learn about how Ailey, born in 1931, spent his early years in Texas, raised by a single mother (he never knew his father) with little money or direction; they wandered, and when he was a kid he picked cotton. Wignot uses black-and-white archival footage to evoke what the Texas childhood of a rural African-American during the Depression might have looked like, and the...
- 2/3/2021
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Has any choreographer mattered more to American dance than Alvin Ailey? The documentary Ailey, directed by Jamila Wignot, makes a good case that there has not. Comprised of amazing archival footage, peer interviews, and choreographer Rennie Harris prepping a modern-day performance in honor of the artist, Wignot paints a full picture of a complicated man. Born in the middle of Texas during The Great Depression, old recordings of Ailey recount his picking cotton with his mother (his father was non-existent in his life), then later on seeing Katherine Dunham (and her male backup dancers) perform live. The shock of watching somebody that looked like him produce such wonderful art emboldened him to pursue the work himself.
The structure of the film is fairly standard, utilizing all of its tools to walk through the timeline of the artist’s life; from his childhood, through his eventual arrival in New York City...
The structure of the film is fairly standard, utilizing all of its tools to walk through the timeline of the artist’s life; from his childhood, through his eventual arrival in New York City...
- 2/1/2021
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
The name Alvin Ailey is synonymous with modern dance everywhere. The legendary dancer, director, and choreographer predominated contemporary dance through the latter half of the 20th century under the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, democratizing the art form with his racially diverse company and emotionally driven movements that spoke directly to the Black American experience. An eponymous documentary tribute to Ailey’s momentous life’s work offers a moving archive of his most momentous achievements, including his masterpiece “Revelations,” but struggles — as many of his friends and collaborators did — to fully understand the man behind the myth. Like all geniuses, an exceedingly rare class of true artists, Alvin Ailey surrendered most of himself to the gods of creativity.
Using audio interviews with Ailey from the end of his life as a guiding narration, director Jamila Wignot weaves a pastiche of archival footage from the Deep South, New York City in the ’70s,...
Using audio interviews with Ailey from the end of his life as a guiding narration, director Jamila Wignot weaves a pastiche of archival footage from the Deep South, New York City in the ’70s,...
- 1/30/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Patton Oswalt is set to host the awards ceremony for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, which is largely being held virtually.
The awards ceremony, which will be live-streamed on Feb. 2, will feature special appearances from Alison Brie, Shira Haas and Diego Luna alongside the jurors, which include Julie Dash and Cynthia Erivo.
In addition to Oswalt taking on hosting duties, the Sundance Institute announced several other festival conversations. This includes “Conjuring the Collective, the Womxn at Sundance Speakeasy,” which will feature Judith Jamison (Ailey), Marlee Matlin, director Siân Heder (Coda), actor Rita Moreno (Rita Moreno: Just A Girl ...
The awards ceremony, which will be live-streamed on Feb. 2, will feature special appearances from Alison Brie, Shira Haas and Diego Luna alongside the jurors, which include Julie Dash and Cynthia Erivo.
In addition to Oswalt taking on hosting duties, the Sundance Institute announced several other festival conversations. This includes “Conjuring the Collective, the Womxn at Sundance Speakeasy,” which will feature Judith Jamison (Ailey), Marlee Matlin, director Siân Heder (Coda), actor Rita Moreno (Rita Moreno: Just A Girl ...
- 1/25/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Patton Oswalt is set to host the awards ceremony for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, which is largely being held virtually.
The awards ceremony, which will be live-streamed on Feb. 2, will feature special appearances from Alison Brie, Shira Haas and Diego Luna alongside the jurors, which include Julie Dash and Cynthia Erivo.
In addition to Oswalt taking on hosting duties, the Sundance Institute announced several other festival conversations. This includes “Conjuring the Collective, the Womxn at Sundance Speakeasy,” which will feature Judith Jamison (Ailey), Marlee Matlin, director Siân Heder (Coda), actor Rita Moreno (Rita Moreno: Just A Girl ...
The awards ceremony, which will be live-streamed on Feb. 2, will feature special appearances from Alison Brie, Shira Haas and Diego Luna alongside the jurors, which include Julie Dash and Cynthia Erivo.
In addition to Oswalt taking on hosting duties, the Sundance Institute announced several other festival conversations. This includes “Conjuring the Collective, the Womxn at Sundance Speakeasy,” which will feature Judith Jamison (Ailey), Marlee Matlin, director Siân Heder (Coda), actor Rita Moreno (Rita Moreno: Just A Girl ...
- 1/25/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By Gregg Goldstein
Jamila Wignot has won two Peabody awards and an Emmy for producing and directing documentaries. This week in Cannes’ digital market, Cinetic Media is screening 20 minutes of footage of her third feature-length directorial effort, “Ailey,” for individual buyers. The Insignia Films production examines the life of the pioneering choreographer Alvin Ailey, using his own words and interviews with luminaries such as Ailey’s muse and successor, Judith Jamison. Variety spoke with Wignot about the project, her experiences as a Black filmmaker and changes she hopes to see in the industry.
— Gregg Goldstein
How did you get involved with “Ailey?”
It came to me through Insignia. They saw that there hadn’t been a film on Ailey in quite some time. And it was like having the greatest gift placed into my lap, because his work is very meaningful to me. In college, the Black student group on...
Jamila Wignot has won two Peabody awards and an Emmy for producing and directing documentaries. This week in Cannes’ digital market, Cinetic Media is screening 20 minutes of footage of her third feature-length directorial effort, “Ailey,” for individual buyers. The Insignia Films production examines the life of the pioneering choreographer Alvin Ailey, using his own words and interviews with luminaries such as Ailey’s muse and successor, Judith Jamison. Variety spoke with Wignot about the project, her experiences as a Black filmmaker and changes she hopes to see in the industry.
— Gregg Goldstein
How did you get involved with “Ailey?”
It came to me through Insignia. They saw that there hadn’t been a film on Ailey in quite some time. And it was like having the greatest gift placed into my lap, because his work is very meaningful to me. In college, the Black student group on...
- 6/25/2020
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
"Moonlight" writer-director Barry Jenkins will direct a biopic about late African-American iconic choreographer, Alvin Ailey.?Julian Breece is writing the script.
Film studio Fox Searchlight first announced the project in March 2018, saying it had the support of the Ailey Organisation. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys is producing with Susan Lewis through her Ak Worldwide production company, along with Judy Kinberg, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners, as per reports.
Ailey, who was raised in rural Texas by a single mother, founded the interracial Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York in 1958 and helped popularise modern dance. His "Revelations" became one of the most-performed modern dance pieces in history.
Ailey received the Kennedy Centre Honours in 1988, a year before he died at the age of 58 from AIDS-related complications. In 2014, former Us President Barack Obama selected Ailey to be a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The project includes...
Film studio Fox Searchlight first announced the project in March 2018, saying it had the support of the Ailey Organisation. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys is producing with Susan Lewis through her Ak Worldwide production company, along with Judy Kinberg, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners, as per reports.
Ailey, who was raised in rural Texas by a single mother, founded the interracial Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York in 1958 and helped popularise modern dance. His "Revelations" became one of the most-performed modern dance pieces in history.
Ailey received the Kennedy Centre Honours in 1988, a year before he died at the age of 58 from AIDS-related complications. In 2014, former Us President Barack Obama selected Ailey to be a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The project includes...
- 6/4/2019
- GlamSham
“Moonlight” writer-director Barry Jenkins will direct a biopic about iconic choreographer Alvin Ailey.
Fox Searchlight first announced the project in March 2018, saying it had the support of the Ailey Organization. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys is producing with Susan Lewis through her Ak Worldwide production company, along with Judy Kinberg, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners. The untitled project is a co-production between Ak Worldwide, iDeal Partners and Jenkins’ Pastel. Jenkins will be an executive producer alongside Jana Edelbaum and Susan Lewis.
Julian Breece is writing the script. Ailey, who was raised in rural Texas by a single mother, founded the interracial Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City in 1958 and helped popularize modern dance. His “Revelations” became one of the most-performed modern dance pieces in history.
Ailey received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988, a year before he died at the age of 58 from AIDS-related complications. In 2014, President...
Fox Searchlight first announced the project in March 2018, saying it had the support of the Ailey Organization. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys is producing with Susan Lewis through her Ak Worldwide production company, along with Judy Kinberg, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners. The untitled project is a co-production between Ak Worldwide, iDeal Partners and Jenkins’ Pastel. Jenkins will be an executive producer alongside Jana Edelbaum and Susan Lewis.
Julian Breece is writing the script. Ailey, who was raised in rural Texas by a single mother, founded the interracial Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City in 1958 and helped popularize modern dance. His “Revelations” became one of the most-performed modern dance pieces in history.
Ailey received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988, a year before he died at the age of 58 from AIDS-related complications. In 2014, President...
- 6/3/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Barry Jenkins will direct the untitled Fox Searchlight biopic based on the life of one of dance’s most influential choreographers and a seminal figure in the African American culture, Alvin Ailey.
Jenkins most recently garnered a best adapted screenplay Oscar nomination last year for his work translating James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk” to the screen. The film, produced and distributed by Annapurna, also earned Regina King her first Academy Award for best supporting actress.
The director of course won best picture at the Oscars two years for his breakout film “Moonlight,” which also took home awards for best adapted screenplay — written by Jenkins, based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney — and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.
Also Read: Barry Jenkins Amazon Drama 'Underground Railroad' Casts 3 Leads
Fox Searchlight, now under the Walt Disney umbrella, inked its deal last year with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater...
Jenkins most recently garnered a best adapted screenplay Oscar nomination last year for his work translating James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk” to the screen. The film, produced and distributed by Annapurna, also earned Regina King her first Academy Award for best supporting actress.
The director of course won best picture at the Oscars two years for his breakout film “Moonlight,” which also took home awards for best adapted screenplay — written by Jenkins, based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney — and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.
Also Read: Barry Jenkins Amazon Drama 'Underground Railroad' Casts 3 Leads
Fox Searchlight, now under the Walt Disney umbrella, inked its deal last year with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater...
- 6/3/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Oscar winner Barry Jenkins is preparing his return to the big screen after last year’s “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Deadline reports that the “Moonlight” and “Medicine for Melancholy” filmmaker has been set to direct Fox Searchlight’s currently untitled film based on the life of celebrated choreographer Alvin Ailey.
The outlet reports that the speciality hub of Fox struck a deal with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater just last year, “which granted full cooperation from the organization that controls the rights to Ailey’s choreography.” The package also includes the rights to Jennifer Dunning’s biography “Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance.” Searchlight and the film’s producers will reportedly work closely with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison, “to bring Ailey’s story and choreography to the screen.”
Rising screenwriter Julian Breece will write the script for the film. The “Buppies” creator...
The outlet reports that the speciality hub of Fox struck a deal with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater just last year, “which granted full cooperation from the organization that controls the rights to Ailey’s choreography.” The package also includes the rights to Jennifer Dunning’s biography “Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance.” Searchlight and the film’s producers will reportedly work closely with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison, “to bring Ailey’s story and choreography to the screen.”
Rising screenwriter Julian Breece will write the script for the film. The “Buppies” creator...
- 6/3/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Barry Jenkins has been set by Fox Searchlight to direct its untitled film based on the life of Alvin Ailey, one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th Century.
Searchlight made a deal early last year with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which granted full cooperation from the organization that controls the rights to Ailey’s choreography. The package also included the rights to Jennifer Dunning’s seminal biography Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance. Fox Searchlight and the producers will be working closely with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison, to bring Ailey’s story and choreography to the screen.
Setting Jenkins is a coup for the studio. The filmmaker won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Best Picture-winner Moonlight, his breakout film for which he was also nominated for Best Director. Most recently, he was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay...
Searchlight made a deal early last year with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which granted full cooperation from the organization that controls the rights to Ailey’s choreography. The package also included the rights to Jennifer Dunning’s seminal biography Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance. Fox Searchlight and the producers will be working closely with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison, to bring Ailey’s story and choreography to the screen.
Setting Jenkins is a coup for the studio. The filmmaker won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Best Picture-winner Moonlight, his breakout film for which he was also nominated for Best Director. Most recently, he was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay...
- 6/3/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Judith Jamison is the recipient of the Black Girls Rock! 2018’s Living Legend Award. Her contributions to dance have inspired and influenced many black girls and for that, she deserves to be honored. Throughout the years, Judith Jamison has continued to dedicate herself to the importance of arts and dance in our culture. Jamison continues to advocate for the Ailey legacy – using dance as a medium for past, present, and future significant moments. Her journey began when she was just a little girl. Jamison grew up in Philadelphia. From an early age, she was fond of the arts and she […]
The post Judith Jamison: Who is the woman behind Black Girls Rock! 2018’s Living Legend Award? appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
The post Judith Jamison: Who is the woman behind Black Girls Rock! 2018’s Living Legend Award? appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
- 9/9/2018
- by Mary Jane
- Monsters and Critics
New Jersey went to church on Sunday night as some of the most powerful women in entertainment congregated at this year’s Black Girls Rock awards.
The 2018 taping of the annual celebration of women of erupted with an energetic red carpet decked out in gold, glitter, and crystal chandeliers. As the show began, attendees seated at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center leapt to their feet with roaring applause as host Queen Latifah took the stage.
“Tonight we celebrate our queens,” the master of ceremonies said to start off the electrifying program, which honored Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, dance pioneer Judith Jamison, supermodel Naomi Campbell, Lena Waithe, Me Too founder Tarana Burke.
The show opened and closed with moving tributes to Aretha Franklin, who died on Aug. 16 from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Note: Bet asked media not to reveal the performers to avoid ruining the surprise when “Black Girls...
The 2018 taping of the annual celebration of women of erupted with an energetic red carpet decked out in gold, glitter, and crystal chandeliers. As the show began, attendees seated at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center leapt to their feet with roaring applause as host Queen Latifah took the stage.
“Tonight we celebrate our queens,” the master of ceremonies said to start off the electrifying program, which honored Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, dance pioneer Judith Jamison, supermodel Naomi Campbell, Lena Waithe, Me Too founder Tarana Burke.
The show opened and closed with moving tributes to Aretha Franklin, who died on Aug. 16 from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Note: Bet asked media not to reveal the performers to avoid ruining the surprise when “Black Girls...
- 8/27/2018
- by Elizabeth Taylor
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood's biggest stars came out in full force for Black Girls Rock! 2018 Sunday. To celebrate black women making a difference in the world, celebrities including Misty Copeland and Storm Reid walked the red carpet at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Bet will broadcast the annual event, hosted by Queen Latifah, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Honorees included Mary J. Blige (Star Power), Tarana Burke (Community Change Agent), Naomi Campbell (Black Girl Magic), Janet Jackson (Rock Star), Judith Jamison (Living Legend) and Lena Waithe (Shot Caller). Performers included Yolanda Adams, Jacqueline Green, H.E.R., Tamia and Victory Boyd. Cynthia Erivo also paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died Aug. 16. E! News...
- 8/27/2018
- E! Online
Honoring Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film’s most outstanding dancers and choreographers, the 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Award nominees were announced by New York Post columnist Michael Riedel May 2 at the Friar’s Club in New York City. Twenty productions in the 2015–16 season met the awards’ eligibility requirements and were considered by a panel of experts upholding the gold standard of excellence in dance. The 2016 winners, listed below, will be celebrated at a gala May 16 at the Nyu Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. This marks the first year since the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards’ inception in 1982 that Off-Broadway work is being recognized, with an inaugural committee comprised of chair Andy Sandberg, Jonathan Herzog, Michael Milton, Nikki Feirt Atkins, Judith Jamison, and Lee Roy Reams. The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Jamison, artistic director emeritus of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Nigel Lythgoe, executive...
- 5/3/2016
- backstage.com
On December 2nd, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off a 5-week holiday season with a star-studded gala benefit including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. Announced today, actor Chadwick Boseman will serve as the evening’s honorary chair during the benefit, with proceeds going to the creation of new works as well as scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey's educational programs for children. Early confirmed celebrity guests include Tituss Burgess, Savion Glover, Lance Gross, Tamron Hall, Judith Jamison, Janet Mock, Joe Morton, Naturi Naughton, Arturo O'Farrill, Phylicia Rashad, Kelly Rowland and Tika...
- 11/18/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
There will be a memorial celebration for Paul Szilard Dancer, Producer, Impresario and a great friend to the arts on Thursday, October 31st, 2013 at 130 pm at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 18th Street, NYC. Participants will be Larue Allen, Executive Director, Martha Graham Dance Company Adrienne Dellas, Director of the Universal Ballet's Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Calvin Hunt, Senior Director, Performance and Production, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Judith Jamison, and Artistic Director Emerita, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. There will be performances by members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing 'Song for You' and an excerpt from 'Cry' students from the senior division of the Kirov Academy of Ballet performing the Adagio and Coda from 'Sleeping Beauty' and members of the Martha Graham Dance Company performing 'Ritual to the Sun' from Acts of Light. The public is invited.
- 10/23/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
This fall, New York's Thirteen, the flagship station of PBS, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, September 16, 2012, with a number of commemorative events and programs, offering diverse programming focusing on the *Black expereince* in the USA. To be included in this year's celebration are following: * A converation with Muhammad Ali from 1968, who at the age of 26, had recently been stripped of his title after refusing induction into the Army during the Vietnam War. * A new series from Harvard scholar, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., slated to air in 2013. * An interviw with Judith Jamison, dancer, choreographer and artistic director emerita, Alvin Ailey...
- 7/11/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Patricia Watt, Producer, The Douglas Watt Family Fund for the Performing Arts amp Julie Keyes along with 2012 Fred amp Adele Astaire Awards 30th Anniversary Co-Chairs Carolyn Kendall Buchter and Alix Michel will host a kickoff cocktail reception for the committees and sponsors of this year's awards gala. The reception will also welcome the legendary Judith Jamison to the Awarding Committee. The event will be at Remi Restaurant, 145 West 53rd Street, New York 10019 on Monday, November 7 from 500 pm to 700 pm.
- 11/7/2011
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick-off a five-week New York season on November 30th with a star-studded gala benefit at New York City Center that begins an exciting new era led by Artistic Director Robert Battle. Honorary Chairs for the special evening are First Lady Michelle Obama and the legendary model Iman.
Nine-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend will join Ailey’s Alicia Graf Mack in an exclusive live performance of “If It’s Magic,” choreographed by Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison to the timeless music of Stevie Wonder. Legend, a long-time Ailey fan, stated, “Like millions of others, I’ve always been moved by Ailey’s performances and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of bringing this touching dance to life through the music of one my greatest inspirations, Stevie Wonder.”
Read more...
Nine-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend will join Ailey’s Alicia Graf Mack in an exclusive live performance of “If It’s Magic,” choreographed by Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison to the timeless music of Stevie Wonder. Legend, a long-time Ailey fan, stated, “Like millions of others, I’ve always been moved by Ailey’s performances and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of bringing this touching dance to life through the music of one my greatest inspirations, Stevie Wonder.”
Read more...
- 10/13/2011
- Look to the Stars
The Kennedy Center Honors have been handed out since 1978. Recipients hail from various branches of the American performance art world — including film, stage, music, and dance — even though performers more closely associated with British show business have managed to sneak in every now and then, e.g., Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, Elton John, Pete Townshend. Since recipients are supposed to attend the Washington, D.C., ceremony in order to take home their Kennedy awards, Doris Day has remained unhonored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Katharine Hepburn kept putting it off until she finally relented in 1990. (Irene Dunne, see above photo, was one who managed to be honored though absent due to ill health.) Ginger Rogers, for her part, was present at the ceremony, but her films with Fred Astaire weren't — because Astaire's widow, Robyn Astaire, demanded payment for the televised clips. At the time, Kennedy Center Honors...
- 9/7/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Essential Viewing: The Weeek in Pictures 4/8/2011Essential ViewingThis week, Tinseltown was full of energy with celebs busy attending -- and hosting -- star-studded affairs.Plenty of folks were seen dressed to the nines attending hot events such as Steve Harvey's 2nd Annual Steve Harvey Foundation Gala and Toni Braxton's "Braxton Family Values" premiere. We also caught a glimpse of celebs working hard on set such as Will Smith filming in NYC, and Jill Scott and Eve rockin it out in Philly. Check out our favorite photos of the week inside!Jill Scott and EveJill Scott and Eve combine glam and edgy chic while performing at the Jill Scott music video shoot for her new single " Shame" in Philadelphia.Marsha AmbrosiusMarsha Ambrosius stops by the Essence office.Her gorgeous eyes and curly hair are so beautiful in person! We loved having her come visit.Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys and...
- 4/8/2011
- Essence
Here's a hot cup of steaming coffee talk for your morning: We can't stop talking about allegations that Dr. Conrad Murray didn't know how to perform CPR. Montel Williams was caught with a marijuana pipe at the airport. Judith Jamison retired after 21 years, and Toni Braxton is considering posing for Playboy in 2011... Here's what you had to say: Audie commented via Facebook: "Toni do whatever you like, to be over 40 and in great shape... I love it! " Carita wrote via Facebook: "No, Toni don't do it! Leave that mess to others..."...
- 1/5/2011
- Essence
Essential Viewing 12.31.10The Week in PicturesThis holiday week has seen our fav celebs jet setting to warmer climates, our President shooting 18 holes of golf with his friends, Prince rocking "America," and so much more. Let's take a look back at this final week of 2010 in pictures...Khloe Kardashian & Lamar OdomKhloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom attend the Kardashian's holiday party in L.A. What a cute couple!Jamie Foxx & Gabrielle UnionJamie Foxx and Gabrielle Union at Delano in Miami Beach.The First FamilyBarack Obama eats a shaved ice alongside Malia in Kailua, Hawaii. Looks yummy.Judith JamisonDance legend Judith Jamison rings the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City.Kanye WestKanye West attends a Christmas Day game between LeBron and Miami Heat and Kobe and the Lakers in L.A.Nicki MinajNicki Minaj performs at the Paradise Theater on Christmas Day in New York City.PrincePrince...
- 12/31/2010
- Essence
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opened the winter season in high style this week with its annual gala. The evening honored Ailey Chairman of the Board Joan Weill for her ten years of service and commitment to the African American arts institution. The legendary Artistic Director Judith Jamison, Bet's Debra Lee, Studio Museum of Harlem's Thelma Golden, author and screenwriter Susan Fales-Hill (left), Alfre Woodard, Robin Roberts, and Essence's own Susan Taylor were among attendees who turned out to celebrate the inspiring "Revelations at 50." Ailey also raised a whopping $2.7 million for Youth Arts. Check out the movers and shakers...
- 12/3/2010
- Essence
For a moment, the White House looked like a dance studio as First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed dancers of all types to the East Room as part of a new series. Alvin Ailey dancers pirouetted and swayed as they performed excerpts from the company's legendary work, "Revelations." But all eyes were on the day's honoree, legendary dancer and Alvin Ailey artistic director, Judith Jamison...
- 9/8/2010
- Essence
As part of our Spotlight on Dance, here is a list of dance schools in Los Angeles and New York City. Each listing includes the school's specialties as well as their location and contact info. If you would like to suggest additional schools for future editions of this list, please email backstage@backstage.com. Los Angeles3rd Street Dance, 8558 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-275-4683, thirdstreetdance@aol.com; www.3rdstreetdance.com; Over 20 years in Los Angeles. Private lessons also available. Ballroom, LatinThe Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, 5700 Corsa Ave., Ste. 106, Westlake Village, CA 91362, 818-889-1515, academyofdance@sbcglobal.net; www.academyofdance.us; Pre-school to professional. Also has competition squad. 30 years in Los Angeles. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre.Academy of Music and Dance, 72 W. Bellevue Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-768-2614, contact@pasadenadanceclasses.com; www.pasadenadanceclasses.com; Offers dance classes, music lessons, voice and theatre for ages 1 1/2 through adult,...
- 8/26/2010
- backstage.com
The dance world lost a giant on July 17 when Denise Jefferson passed away. I would venture to say that hundreds of thousands of dance lovers, who may not even know her name, have great reason to celebrate her memory. Denise, the Director of the Ailey school, was one of the four pillars of the Ailey organization for decades. Along with Judith Jamison, Sylvia Waters and Masazumi Chaya, Denise provided a rock solid foundation for the organization. It is not surprising that over 85% of the dancers who currently perform with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater received training at the school. And many more of her students went on to important careers with other major dance companies. Denise invested herself in every child in the school. She knew that by teaching children to dance, she was also teaching them...
- 7/26/2010
- by Michael Kaiser
- Huffington Post
The Alvin Ailey organization has recently announced that Robert Battle would replace Judith Jamison as artistic director next year. Robert will have one year to work with Judith to prepare for this huge assignment. There was much to dissect in this surprising announcement. Mr. Battle is very young, he has run a very small dance company and will take over the largest modern dance organization in the world, he never danced with the Ailey company, etc. I ran the Ailey organization from 1991-1993 as executive director and came to appreciate the tremendous strengths of Judith Jamison. She was relatively new as artistic director at that time but she was very clear on her artistic goals for the institution. She wanted to preserve the best of Alvin's choreography while bringing new dance makers to the organization. Of...
- 6/1/2010
- by Michael Kaiser
- Huffington Post
As part of our Spotlight on Dance, here is a list of dance schools in Los Angeles and New York City. Each listing includes the school's specialties as well as their location and contact info. If you would like to suggest additional schools for future editions of this list, please email backstage@backstage.com. Los Angeles3rd Street Dance, 8558 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-275-4683, thirdstreetdance@aol.com; www.3rdstreetdance.com; Over 20 years in Los Angeles. Private lessons also available. Ballroom, LatinThe Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, 5700 Corsa Ave., Ste. 106, Westlake Village, CA 91362, 818-889-1515, academyofdance@sbcglobal.net; www.academyofdance.us; Pre-school to professional. Also has competition squad. 30 years in Los Angeles. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip-hop, Musical TheatreAcademy of Music and Dance, 72 W. Bellevue Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-768-2614, www.pasadenadanceclasses.com; Offers dance classes, music lessons, voice and theatre for ages 18 months through adult, emphasizing small class sizes.
- 4/21/2010
- backstage.com
With all the production budget cuts and unemployed dancers and choreographers, not to mention the generally sorry state of the economy, you may be finding it difficult to get into the holiday spirit this season. Well, despite the gloomy financial scene, dance lovers have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Here are a few.Come January, a former prima ballerina of Dance Theatre of Harlem, the beloved Virginia Johnson, will be taking over the reins as artistic director of the history-making company. Founded and directed since 1968 by former New York City Ballet principal dancer Arthur Mitchell, Dth was the first ever African-American classical ballet troupe and achieved world-class status before fiscal difficulties forced the professional company to go on hiatus in late 2004. The dance community is looking to Johnson, founder and former editor in chief of Pointe magazine, to revivify this treasured troupe. It was at this time last year that...
- 12/9/2009
- backstage.com
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater announces special music and video releases to coincide with "Best Of" and "Classic Ailey" performances at Bam's Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Avenue) from June 9-14. A commemorative edition DVD of Judith Jamison's Emmy-winning 'A Hymn for Alvin Ailey' television special will be available along with the soundtrack to Alvin Ailey's landmark Blues Suite, on CD for the first time.
- 5/29/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
A cast of leading woman in the arts including Lisa Brescia, Stockard Channing, Jenn Colella, Suzanne Farrell, Judith Jamison, Patti Labelle, k.d. lang, Annie Leibovitz, Audra McDonald, Reba McEntire, Veronika Part, Amy Poehler, Dianne Reeves, LeAnn Rimes, Chita Rivera Kathleen Turner and members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the Kennedy Center's 17th annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala, Sunday, May 3rd at 8:30pm in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
- 3/20/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Following a celebratory New York season, which opened with a December 3rd Golden Anniversary Gala with Oprah Winfrey as Honorary Chair and Honored Guest, and the Empire State building shining in golden tribute, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Aaadt) will now bring the beauty, power, passion and artistry that are its hallmarks to audiences across the United States. As part of a 50-city global tour in celebration of Aaadt's 50th Anniversary, a 26-city U.S. tour will begin February 3rd at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center and continue through May 24th with visits to Atlanta, Ga; Tucson, Az; Berkeley, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, Il; Miami, Fl; Boston, Ma; Newark, NJ and other cities. Led by renowned Artistic Director Judith Jamison, the Company will present a diverse repertory of exciting premieres, dramatic new productions, revered classics, and repertory favorites. Aaadt company member Hope Boykin's Go in Grace; an innovative...
- 1/20/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
All eyes are on Obama and the 2009 Bet Honors Awards, which took place last night amongst all the inaugural festivities, definitely had lifted spirits amongst its guests. Kicking off inaugural events for Obama and on the eve of Martin Luther King Day, the show brought out plenty of A-Listers, including Whitney Houston, Terrence Howard, and Diddy who were on hand to present the awards to the Bet Honors recipients.
This year's achievement winners included R&B superstar Mary J. Blige, media moguel Tyler Perry, NBA star Magic Johnson, and choreographer Judith Jamison.
Praise for Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. were evident in the speeches as well. "It's fulfillment of his prophecy 40 years ago," South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn said during his acceptance speech.
The special also featured performances from Ne-Yo, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Monica, and Stevie Wonder, who's also making the rounds performing for at events for Obama's inauguration.
This year's achievement winners included R&B superstar Mary J. Blige, media moguel Tyler Perry, NBA star Magic Johnson, and choreographer Judith Jamison.
Praise for Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. were evident in the speeches as well. "It's fulfillment of his prophecy 40 years ago," South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn said during his acceptance speech.
The special also featured performances from Ne-Yo, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Monica, and Stevie Wonder, who's also making the rounds performing for at events for Obama's inauguration.
- 1/19/2009
- icelebz.com
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