Alvin Ailey - An American Institution - Choreographer

ALVIN AILEY - An American Institution
ALVIN AILEY ( 1931-1989 )

Born in poverty in rural Texas in 1931, where racial segregation was still in full force, Alvin Ailey grew into a gifted choreographer who drew inspiration from African American culture and went on to become an American institution. In 1954 he gathered together a group of black dancers and formed what would become the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1960 he debuted his choreographic masterpiece, Revelations. Inspired by his "blood memories" of Texas, the blues, spirituals and gospel, Revelations is believed to be one of the best-known and most often seen modern dance performances ever created. Ailey combined elements from ballet, modern, jazz, African ritual and contemporary dances, and encouraged his dancers to infuse his choreography with a personal style — a paradigm shift that brought concert dance into harmony with other forms of African-American expression. "The cultural heritage of the American Negro is one of America's richest treasures," Ailey said. "Sometimes sorrowing, sometimes jubilant but always hopeful — [ it ] has touched, illuminated, and influenced the most remote preserves of world civilization. I and my dance theater celebrate this trembling beauty." Though Ailey quickly became a major force in modern dance — touring extensively and becoming popular with audiences worldwide — his own life suffered. Always secretive about his homosexuality, and under pressure from his public success, he turned increasingly to alcohol and drugs and suffered a mental breakdown in 1980. Despite some successes in the 80s, Alvin Ailey died from complications due to an AIDS-related illness in 1989. He was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 1992.
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THE LEGACY PROJECT

The Legacy Project recognizes the many roles Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people have played in the advancement of world history and culture. "THE LEGACY WALK" - the only outdoor International GLBT History Museum in the World - is coming to North Halsted Street in Chicago and will be dedicated on October 11, 2012. For information, to donate or to volunteer, go to www.legacyprojectchicago.org
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Milwaukee Professionals Association regularly highlight events, calendar and website of Alvin Ailey - CLICK