Submitted by Northrop | 04/25/12
What did you think of the performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater? Which night did you attend and what were your feelings about each of the pieces on the program? What did you find most compelling in their signature piece, Revelations? Could you see the influence of new artistic director, Robert Battle?
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Dancers
very inspiring..thanks for sharing.
Amazing performance of great
Amazing performance of great art by great artists! Loved it.
Alvin Ailey Ballet
An outstanding performance! A combination of grace, artistry, and energy that has reached new heights under the direction of Robert Battle.
Alvin Ailey
Great to have this company visit us in the Twin Cities again after a 6 year break. This was showen by the size & appreciative response from the audience. Also enjoyed the prevue session on Tuesday. Please keep this up.
Fantastic dancers!
I've seen Revelations 4 times, once with Judith Jamison, and it is still stunning. The quality of the dancers is outstanding! I enjoyed Arden Court and, after a very slow start, Minus 16. Alvin Ailey has my heartfelt admiration and respect; I miss him even though I did not know him personnaly. Robert Battle is a great choice to carry the legacy.
This was one of the most
This was one of the most interesting and genuinely entertaining dance performances I have ever attended through the Northrop series. The company is in amazing shape, and the energy level never flagged. I, too, much enjoyed "Minus 16", especially the audience participation segment (the middle-aged man in the pink shirt was so funny and having such a good time that he was riveting to watch-- sign him up!). The first piece was elegant, yet energetic, and perfectly expressed the music.
I also much appreciate having a bit of context for the performance, and really appreciated Mr. Battle's remarks of introduction.
Alvin Ailey American Dance
Love it !! Love It!!!
I brought my dance team and they really enjoyed it. Revelations was awesome. It has alaways been my favorite since Alivn Ailey dance it himself.
Loved Alvin Ailey performance
I loved the Alvin Ailey performance on May 2nd, especially the second piece--Minus 16. I also appreciated the beauty of the last piece, Revelations. The Alvin Ailey performance was, for me, the most engaging performance of the Innovators series, followed by Jin Xing Dance Theatre Shanghai. I appreciated that the artistic director of Alvin Ailey welcomed the audience in a very human, down-to-earth way, breaking away from the rigidity common in institutionalized art events.
Thank you.
The performance was
The performance was spectacular, enjoyed it immensely. If it were playing again today, we would go back and see it again!!!! Loved the diversity of energy! Such fine talent and big kudos to Robert Battle. Appreciated his coming out at the beginning and speaking to the audience. SPLENDID!!!!!
Minus 16
What a fun piece. I was one of the "chosen" to go on stage and now I can say I danced with Alvin Ailey during their 2012 season!!! My chest still burns from the frenetic pace.
Any chance the company or Northrup has a video clip they would share?
Alvin Ailey
Last night's performance was superb; in fact, it was extraordinary! Thank you for having Alvin Ailey on the schedule this year -- I'd love to see them here most every year!!
My husband, who went in my
My husband, who went in my place because I was sick, enjoyed the performance, especially the 2nd piece. Of course that included him being selected to dance on stage with Maegen from the troop. Lucky him! To think, a 40 year old who spent his first 30 years in Berlin, watched the wall come down and open up his possibilities...which included dancing on stage with the Alvin Ailey dance troop. Incredible.
Alvin Ailey
I thought the entire evening of Alvin Ailey dance on Wed. night was fabulous!!!! I could have watched the whole program over again, right on the spot. Truly a great evening of dance. I wish Alvin Ailey Dance came back to Northrop every year; and I do hope you invite them back in the future. They are truly great!
Minus 16
The dance "Minus 16" was one of the best dance pieces I have ever seen. It was riveting and entertaining. One never knew whether a pause in the dance was its end or not. I think it safe to say that most of the audience never wanted it to end. I'm glad I went on Wednesday night and feel sorry for those who only attended on Tuesday and did not get to see this extremely original piece.
I thought the addition of the
I thought the addition of the Gospel music was powerful.
AlvinAiley
I have seen them when they came here, and bring my partner who only likes modern dance. We both thought it was one of the best performances in years. Technical flaws, maybe, but overall a phenomenal group of dancers/athletes, and hearts in it - they were clearly loving what they do. Bravo!
Alvin Ailey
I love Alvin Ailey Dance Company! I have gone every year to see them for the past 6 years in Atlanta since they haven't been here over this period of time. Revelations never fails to truly take my breath away. "I wanna be ready" performed by Moe is always so POWERFUL! I love him! I do agree with the comment earlier that it appeared to be a few technical flaws. Although I am not certain, but it appeared that there may have been a few newer/less seasoned ("Fix Me") dancers perfroming in this number than usual and it was not quite as powerful as I have grown accustomed to seeing. But never the less it was still good and for first timers Im sure it was fabulous! I echo the request that you bring them back next year and every year after that!
Unbelievable! Fabulous
Unbelievable! Fabulous energy! Want to see them every year!!!
Electrifying!
Overall, this was yet another stunning performance by AAADT. Please can every effort be made to bring these divine creatures to the Twin Cities annually? Their heritage, mission, and artistic product are a perfect complement to the Twin Cities' rich, diverse, and sophisticated (yet accessible) arts scene.
Home (2011) - absolutely riveting. The company's athleticism and stamina are truly breathtaking.
Takademe (1999) - Samuel Lee Roberts gave a stunning virtuoso performance. Very beautiful.
The Hunt (2001) - Magnificent.
Journey (1958) - Very beautiful.
Revelations (1960) - I was surprised by a few moments of technical insecurity in the male solo (I sorely missed Clifton Brown), the pas de deux, and the pas de trois, as these movements usually feature the company's most polished artists. I hope that the uncompromising requirement of absolute technical proficiency that Judith Jamison had instilled, hasn't fallen by the wayside. History has proven that Ailey's Revelations is a work of pure genius, so its overwhelming impact was still achieved, despite a few technical flaws. I am thrilled that Hope Boykin is still a beacon of magnetic charm, and that the stalwart artistry of Renee Robinson is still gracing stages around the world.
I missed seeing: "A Song for You"; "Cry", "Night Creature", and "Caught" - please bring these back to the Twin Cities next year!?
I missed seeing: Clifton Brown, Alicia Graf Mack, and Vernard Gilmore - please bring them back too!?
I adore Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. May they all continue to flourish, inspire, and be inspired.
Season ends witha bang!
Ripped, half-naked men. What more can you ask for. The energy was intense. Really engaged the crowd. Lets not leave it so long before the next return.
Minneapolis performance May 1
Outstanding. Going again tonight. Hope they come back to Minnesota sooner than a decade or whatever the length of time has been.
Revelations is a true masterpiece!
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
This Kansas Citian agrees! What a wonderful night. I am glad the Midwest made the former New Yorker proud.
Alvin Ailey
A stormy night contributed to the stuffy, hot atmosphere at the Orpheum. No one to turn on the AC ? Open a door?
The performance was a mix of great and so-so. Sitting just three rows from stage was a perfect vantage to pick up on dancers energy. Some were exquisitely present, others
just getting through. I miss Judith Jameson and her focus.
Alvin Ailey
Don't know how the # 13 got in my comments, was not meant to be there
Alvin Ailey
"WOW" what a performance, the 13dancers was awesome, I truly have enjoyed every performance I have had the opportunity to attend. I love the fact that it began with chuch and ended with church ! Great! Great !Great!
Alvin Ailey
I always look forard to the Northrup series. I have been a subscriber since the 70's and this year was one of the best. Alvin Ailey was wonderful and seldom get to see the energy that thhis company puts out. Hopefully we will get to see this company again SOON!!!!!
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Great performance of great art by great artists! My third experience with this dance group since the 1970's. If anything, it gets better and better. the Twin Cities audience was very welcoming, and that made this former New Yorker proud.