Workshops with Leading Ailey Extension Instructors: October 12 -13
Passionate Performance by Ailey II’s Rising Stars at the Rialto Center for the Arts: October 26
Now entering its third consecutive year, Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta presents a weekend of workshops at AREA with prominent instructors from Ailey Extension on Saturday, October 12, 2019 and Sunday, October 13, 2019; followed by a spirited performance from Ailey II on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta is a series of partnerships between the Ailey organization and Atlanta-based cultural, civic, and educational organizations which make Ailey’s New York City experience accessible to the Atlanta community.
Ailey Extension has partnered with AREA to offer a weekend of classes taught by leading instructors from New York City in Contemporary, Street Jazz, Heels, and Horton, the signature technique of the Ailey company. This year’s workshops for children (ages 8-12), teens (13+), and adults (16+) are taught by Martell Ruffin, a former company member of Ailey II; Jessica Castro, an alumna of The Ailey School; and Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Director of Ailey Extension and former company member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ailey invites Atlantans to join in the dance at Ailey Extension’s “real classes for real people” in advance of Ailey II’s return to Atlanta as part of a national tour. Students can sign up for workshops at aileyextension.com/ATL.
Ailey II’s rising stars will take the stage at the Rialto Center for the Arts for an inspiring performance on Saturday, October 26 at 8pm, led by Artistic Director Troy Powell. The 12-member ensemble is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most promising emerging choreographers. The evening will feature a diverse array of ballets created by innovative choreographers such as South African-born choreographer Bradley Shelver’s Where There Are Tongues, Psuhke by Andrea Miller and Still by former Ailey dancer Kirven Douthit-Boyd. This performance will be preceded by a talk with Troy Powell, Artistic Director; and will include a post-show panel discussion immediately after. Ailey II, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s junior company serves as a bridge to the professional dance world from The Ailey School, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Tickets for Ailey II’s performance can be purchased at www.calendar.gsu.edu.
Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta serves as a central meeting point for dance audiences, artists, teachers, and students in the Atlanta area. For more information about Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta workshops and performances please visit alvinailey.org/destinationdance.
About Ailey Extension
Since its inception in 2005, Ailey Extension has fulfilled Mr. Ailey’s life-long commitment of bringing dance to everyone by offering “real classes for real people.” Ailey Extension offers over 25 different dance and fitness techniques such as Horton, Ballet, Masala Bhangra, West African, Samba, Jazz, Zumba, House and Hip-Hop. Over 135,000 people have taken classes at Ailey’s home, New York’s largest building dedicated to dance, where dancers of all levels and walks of life can learn and be inspired – body, mind, and spirit! For additional press materials, including photos, videos, and class descriptions, visit pressroom.alvinailey.org.
