Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Is Trying To Make Modern Dance "Pop" Again (HBO)
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- Опубліковано 7 гру 2018
- The name Alvin Ailey is synonymous with modern dance. In 1958, when Ailey founded his company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, it was an instant sensation internationally - thanks in large part to his masterpiece, Revelations, which showcased the agony and triumph of the African-American experience to a global audience. This came at time when, at home, the troupe were treated as second-class citizens many places they went.
“You have to think even when this company started touring in the States there were some hotels that perhaps they were the first black folks to come into those doors - the front door certainly,” said Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director, Robert Battle.
Battle said that Ailey started a dance company, because he didn't see the opportunities for African-Americans in the concert dance, nor their stories being told. Ailey knew what it meant to be left out and the importance of accessibility.
“You have the right to see this,” said Battle. “You are connected to this.”
However, young people today aren’t feeling as connected to the work. Modern dance-even Ailey-is waning in popularity. As the company turns 60, it's launching a two-act ballet called Lazarus that it hopes will break through to a new generation of fans.
Choreographed by Rennie Harris, Lazarus is peppered with references to some of the most popular dances of the last decade, including the Nae Nae, Dougie, Milly Rock and, of course, the Dab.
"You want to introduce the new generation to, not only this new work, but you want the history of this company, right,” said Harris. “And to help carry on the legacy. That's the whole point about Lazarus is like this resurrection, this keep happening, you know what I mean?”
Khalia Campbell is one of the dancers featured in Lazarus. She said that the AAADT gave her hope as a dancer, because she saw bodies on the stage that looked like hers. She believed that the choreography in Harris’ work will have the same effect on newer faces in attendance.
“People that are non-dancers will be able to relate to this because they don’t know about a lateral T or like a tendu, so when they see the Nae Nae - I feel accomplished a little bit because what I'm doing onstage will kind of get across to the audience.”
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I took classes there when I was 15 my mom lied about my age to let me in lol
I just saw Ailey yesterday. It was the best dance performance I have seen in my life.
Most of the comments here are disgusting. Alvin Ailey is a great dance company. It showcases black dance, black people, and modern dance to tell the most rewarding stories. Most pale dancers can only dream being part of it.
It’s great to see young poc ; who want to continue to upkeep our tradition of expression through dance. I’ll be taking a vogue class at Alvin Alley next weekend. However so much unnecessary negativity in the comments from those who most likely couldn’t dance in this style or don’t dance at all.
I have been a professional dancer and have loved Ailey for over 40 years. His original work was space both on ballet and line as well as African isolations. He wanted people to see African people and beautiful movements. I very much enjoyed the choreography that was presented in the video. However the original Ailey style must never be forgotten. And that includes the tendus.
Love it
I've been to a few Alvin Ailey performances. For me, the disconnect isn't the moves, it's the music, props, and costumes. They've got this new choreographer who is stylistically making them more contemporary, but it doesn't change the fact that when I view an Alvin Ailey performance, I feel bored and the overall presentation feels dated. I recognize, understand, and appreciate storytelling through dance. I also understand that this dance company was founded with the purpose of both presenting black dancing bodies and black narratives onstage. I respect and admire that, and in essence I connect with that as I black woman. I think what Alvin Ailey needs is new stories to tell. Yes, black people are still oppressed and so that can be part of the narrative. But oppression aside, I think it would serve the company well to also explore other modern themes, rooted in a variety of areas whether social justice, love, friendship, maturity, joy, etc. Allowing the black experience to inform the work is critical, but also being open to finding new ways to connect with new and younger audiences is too. I want to see black bodies onstage and I want to connect with the rhythm and movement, but I also want to see and hear cultural relevance, and perhaps not continually feel like I'm watching a rhythmic and dreary dance narrative played out, rooted in oppression with music that isn't inspiring or enlivening. No, I don't want this company to appeal to other audiences by losing its blackness. I want it to keep its blackness at the forefront, but dig deeper to be relevant.
Asha beautifully written
Exactly. I love Ailey but as much as the story is the same it has changed for some. That should be reflected in the art. I actually ended up going to a Ronald K Brown show and felt that it was more fresh and relevant to the times.
Agree. beautifully said. On this note a perfect reason why I appreciate Kyle Abraham, and Alonzo King so very much! Relevance, including presentation and new works, but also new experimentation. I do think Battle can create some new works, he did so more recently. But the entire company has to decide ...forward, or stagnant. ;-)
Looks awesome!
Lemons19902010 yes but hug me
I feel like once you bring in the nae nae and the dab and other dances of the like, you've kinda lost creativity..... Don't get me wrong, the incorporation is cool but still, I feel like there's something lacking.
We need something new and hip from Alvin Aily. Something like all the dance troups are doing. Tell an uplifting story with eye popping routines.
Great idea to reach the younger generation
Dance chil'ren!!!!
Madonna have attended this dance theater? Hadnt she?
Yes. She did.
Yes Madonna did. She was a scholarship student
Proud student! I was privileged to grow up at Ailey, privileged to still study there as an adult. 💗 I've learned more about myself and the world here than anywhere else. And Rennie Harris is a GOD.
Jazmyn wow so great to you... hug you please and kiss..,
I love the Alvin Ailey dance company. I think it's brilliant to incorporate those moves into a pie. She's right in that it helps make it more relatable. If only it didn't cost an arm and a leg to see a dance company, ballet, theater. The only way most folks can experience that kind of thing is on PBS and watching it on TV is not nearly the same
Beth Roesch All tickets DO NOT cost an arm and a leg ..
Beth Roesch wow nice job ... great me like a hug...
Well...I visited several videos of last 3months, there's no a single covering about world's largest democracy"India".....#bharat Mata ki jai🙏🙏
Whatever your views are, you have to admit.. these folks have some serious moves 😎
Tap into voguing ... you're welcome.
I mean, great
I know I see myself when I see the nae nae
Daniel wow when isee here super energy... i need you for kiss me ...
The Running Man had Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Dawson in it.
Take care and God loves you.
Shit gotta shout out vice for covering lesbian dance theory! 😂 but for real I used to have a lot of respect for the reporting Vice did but since they’ve become really far left and did the white male terrorist piece with the gentlemen explaining his white man-phobia knowing damn well he calls trump a this-phobe and a that-phobe I haven’t been too thrilled with them . I’m not republican or Democrat but with their opinions at Vice If u reverse that piece and explain about how because of Islamic terrorism your terrified of anything that happens to be middle eastern they’d be very offended and upset I just want to know when it became acceptable to have a selective prejudice for a certain race and not be deemed hateful there isn’t a race the scares me period all those people that did mass shootings it’s true they are quite possibly terrorists but not necessarily every single mass shooting is terrorism unless you are changing the definition some of these cases are people who are psychos or murderers but if you,re so narrow minded to claim you are fighting against racism yet say things like your scared of all white men because their potential of being a terrorist then you are contradicting yourself so please Vice do better less divisive work
In what way this decisive, tiki torch?
The modern dance scene in America is a joke. Compared to Europe it's a fluffy Disney character. There is a reason why many of the best modern dancers move to Europe. Alvin Ailey just need to step up and adapt. "Revelations" might be a masterpiece for that time period and the message is still as relevant but the choreography is painfully outdated, museum piece that's not holding up in 2018. Maybe I'm being too harsh...
hip hop has done more to ruin modern dance than It has to uplift it IMO
People named Christopher have done more to ruin their name's reputatin than to uplift it
Good gracious! You're absolutely right! But not only dance, but music, fashion and art! It's going to take generations to repair what Black culture has utterly destroyed!
@@LazarusSlade ahahahahaha
ok white boy, your opinion is special. have a nice day.
@@Gee-xb7rt who're you talking to?
looks like african tribal dance
Because it Is! African tribes should form a federation and sue these dance companies that are blatantly plagiarizing their styles and be compensated!
Well, they are ppl of African descent. Of course you're going to see it in them.
I just knew that they would pick up a sjw angle with this
to be honest, modern dance is a pretty left-leaning movement.
I'm sorry you're butthurt, not everybody can be on the wrong side of history
Facts don't care about your feelings, tiki torch
@@SolosSpirit * le wrong side of history
@@HT.100 no
@@SolosSpirit you didn't say that bullshit?
Dancing is a waste of time and energy.
Dancing gives you energy actually. Stimulates endorphin production.