Alvin Ailey Company Appears at Music Center:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, led by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, returns for its sixth Music Center engagement, tonight, February 22 through Sunday, February 22 – 26, 2006 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. One of America’s leading dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater emerged from the now fabled performance in March 1958, at the 92nd Street Young Men’s Hebrew Association in New York. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. The Ailey company has gone on to perform for an estimated 21 million people in 71 countries on six continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa. Current Artistic Director Judith Jamison, once one of this country’s most acclaimed dancers, is now a top choreographer as well as director of the company of 30 dancers, many of whom are graduates of The Ailey School. A typical AAADT season includes an international tour, a U.S. tour and a five-week New York City home season at City Center, where the company has appeared annually since 1972. A typical AAADT season includes an international tour, a U.S. tour and a five-week New York City home season at City Center, where the company has appeared annually since 1972. Part of the third season of Dance at the Music Center, rhis engagement’s three separate programs will include the West Coast premieres of two new works, “Reminiscin’,” choreographed by Jamison and “Ife/My Heart,” choreographed by Ronald K. Brown. Jamison’s new work had its world premiere in December. It was inspired by some female jazz artists and Edward Hopper’s famous painting “Nighthawks.” It is set to music performed by Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Regina Carter and Diana Krall.The season repertory includes “Love Stories,” “Shining Star,” “Night Creature,” “Solo,” “Vespers,” and “Caught.” The timeless Ailey classic “Revelations” will be performed at all programs. Program A with “Ife/MyHeart,” “Love Stories,” and “Revelations” will be performed tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Program B with “Reminiscin’,” “Shining Star,” and “Revelations” will be performed on Thursday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Program C with “Night Creature,” “Solo,” “Vespers,” “Caught” and “Revelations” will be performed on Fruday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.Tickets are available at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office, 135 North Grand Avenue, or through Ticketmaster Phone Charge at (213) 365-3500 or (714) 740-7878, at all Ticketmaster Outlets, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.