THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Arts & Entertainment Dance pg 15 | Jazz pg 19 | Food pg 20
March 17, 2022 - March 23, 2022 • 15
Pg. 18 Your Stars
Ailey II new season celebrates a homecoming By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews Think of it as a celebratory homecoming. For two weeks beginning March 23, Ailey II, the exciting 12member company of young, gifted and talented dancers that is the second company to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, presents its spring season at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, LIVE. Yes, Live. Simply walking through the revolving doors into the AAADT building at the corner of 55th Street and Ninth Avenue and standing in the shadow of the towering portrait of Alvin Ailey himself after all these months is bound to feel special. That feeling promises to intensify once seated inside the jewel box theater viewing the dynamic program that features works by AAADT Artistic Director Robert Battle, William Forsythe, Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper and Ailey company member Yannick Lebrun, and the talented Andrea Miller. The fact that it’s Harper’s inaugural season as head of this amazingly singular second company makes it even more of a homecoming than usual. Universally renowned, since Ailey founded the troupe in 1974 as a showcase for merging the spirit and energy of the best young talent destined to tower over tomorrow’s dance landscape, with today’s phenomenal choreographers, Ailey II’s seasons always provide an exciting glimpse into the future of
dance. That future will to both her own work and shine this season with to Battle’s Searchlight, not programs that promise to mention the work of to bring audiences to the Andrea Miller, the other edge of both excitement woman on this season’s and wonder with physiroster of choreographcality that moves beyond ic risk takers whose bold its familiar limits, to insisinnovative voices inevitatent, complex rhythms. bly produce stimulating Programs include programs. AAADT’s Robert BatRisk taking is also in tle’s “The Hunt,” “TakaHarper’s DNA. It has deme,” and the New York taken her from a profespremiere of “Searchsional career that began light,” inspired by the with the Dance Theater relationship of Ailey II of Harlem and spanned Artistic Director Harper the globe to include Forand her late mother sythe’s Ballet Frankfurt Denise Jefferson, as well (1991-1999), Broadway, as an excerpt of his comHollywood acting, writpany premiere “Alleluing, acting, producing, ia,” which combines the composing and more. Ailey II, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper and Rehearsal Director Lakey Evans-Peña foot stomping and hand Now, coming full circle, (Nir Arieli photo) gestures of the Baptist in a homecoming that church with classical Baroque and Yannick Lebrun's poetic ode a process that honors the past brings her back to Ailey II while also idioms. As Harper enhances the to French Guiana in “Saa Magn,” while envisioning a better future. bringing audiences, happily, back spirit of homecoming by bringing or Francesca Harper’s elliptical In many ways it sounds like a tes- to in person performances at the together works that speak to her galaxy in an excerpt of her Free- tament to a creative style that is in Ailey Citygroup Theater. own life’s journey, another com- dom Series, titled “Fly.” the Ailey tradition, but how could it “It is a privilege to return to the pany premiere includes William Audiences will also be treated to be otherwise. home that shaped me as an artist Forsythe’s “Enemy in the Figure Harper’s full Freedom Series, which Harper has the Ailey spirit in to accept the honor of leading Ailey (excerpt).” Originally created for takes us on a journey through a her bones. Not only was her late II next era," said Harper. “Ailey II’s his Ensemble Ballet Frankfurt, landscape of memories with a mother, educator Denise Jefferson, mission lies in generating space “Enemy,” the intensely propulsive series of vignettes that embody director of the Ailey School from for human narratives expressed central section of a work of the and imagine a hybrid world where 1984-2010 and creator of the Ailey- through the strength, grace, and same name, oozes energy with a memory strives to influence the Fordham BFA Program, but Harp- versatility of the next generation of percussive and rhythmically driv- future. Harper describes her work er’s first creative home was the Ailey gifted young dancers. As exempliing electronic score by Thom as a collaboration with the Ailey II organization before she went on to fied in this year’s diverse repertory, Willem. The season also examines dancers “that allowed me to get to a stellar professional career. “I think I am looking forward to bringing in dance under a fresh and intimate know them as well as giving them that the fact that I came back to new choreographic voices and prolens in works such as Andrea Mill- a chance to know me.” It is also a Ailey and have such a longstanding gramming works that further an er’s “Psūkhe” (pronounced ‘pSEE- process through which she exam- relationship was a catalyst for a lot ongoing cultural dialogue and conhee’) with its vigorous physicality, ines identity and community using of creativity,” Harper says pointing tribute to social transformation.”
Carnegie Hall presents new event, ‘Journey Into AfroCosmicMelatopia’ By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews
ning at 6:30 p.m. “Journey Into AfroCosmicMelatopia” is “an immersive AfThe world-renowned New rofuturist experience and party York City concert hall Carne- designed and envisioned by artgie Hall is continuing to host ists and creators from the Weill the month-long, expansive Af- Music Institute community,” rofuturism Festival. Along with says a press release. DJ Reborn the incredible lineup of artists and DJ mOma will perform and musicians including Sun live musical sets and the event Ra Arkestra, Moor Mother and promises a unique futuristic exFlying Lotus (the nephew of perience that includes visual Alice Coltrane), there is a de- art and dance installations sirable and interesting event which were curated by Ytasha L. taking place March 25 begin- Womack. “This cosmic event is
designed by the creative studio Intelligent Mischief and Wakanda Dream Lab.” This experiential journey is meant to cater to the senses, causing attendees to engage with an “augmented reality” based on Afrofuturistic artistic styles that promote the advancement of the artistic medium that spans across literature, music, theater, as well as visual art. This offering to the Black community and beyond
promises to create a realm of Black discovery and speculative awareness of what life can be through the lens of otherworldly expression. Make sure you put this event on your calendars and enjoy a fun and immersive party. Attendees must be 21 and over. A purchased ticket will include light food and beverages. For tickets, visit https:// www.carnegiehall.org/.
