AAADT

We welcomed a company we've presented three of the past four years last week the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, AAADT worked with acappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, also making a return appearance in Chapel Hill, on a new work choreographed by Durham native Hope Boykin called Go in Grace. It was a remarkable collaboration between two American institutions, set to a familiar 'coming of age' story. They also performed Suite Otis, a 1971 piece by George Faison set to a medley of Otis Redding songs and ended with the masterwork Revelations, which nearly 40 years later, still seems as new as it must have seemed back then.

As usual, the dancers soared, with precision and grace. The first night had a different energy both on stage and in the audience, a contrast that is both interesting and elusive. Attempting to choreograph the exchange between artist and audience continues to be an exciting challenge, and when done successfully elevates the experience to new heights for all.

We have a break until our visiting by the Bolshoi in June..... Stay tuned...