Throughout the United States and other parts of the world there are many different dance performance companies. One of the most famous performance companies is Alvin Ailey. This company was started by an African-American choreographer Alvin Ailey in New York. Alvin was born on January 5, 1931 and he died on December 1, 1989 at the age of 58. His company was given the nickname “Cultural Ambassador of the World.” It was given this name because of the international touring they did. Ailey is the creator of what is believed to be the best known and most seen modern dance performance “Revelations.” His company still performs all over the United States and the world today even though he has long since passed. Alvin was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1977 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988. I personally love his work and his dancers. I also love the pieces that have been created since his death. I was first introduced to his company on the show So You Think You Can Dance and I have personally seen the Company at the University of Iowa. The choreography they do is very outside the box so if classical is what you enjoy most his company may not be the one for you. But this is in no way to discourage you from giving his company a shot. I think anyone could find something enjoyable out of his companies master pieces. Alvin Ailey’s company is one of the most known companies and definitely one of the best in the world. It its estimated that his company has performed for 23 million people at theaters in 47 states and 71 countries. There are over 200 works by over 80 choreographers. Before his death he appointed Judith Jamison to be his successor and over the past 21 years she has brought to company to great success. In 2011 Jamison passed the company onto Robert Battle.
1) http://www.alvinailey.org/about
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Ailey
Art in Movement 