FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Great Barrington, Mass.—The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center and the Du Bois Freedom Center will collaborate to present dance company Ailey II on Friday, October 25 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 26 at 3 p.m. as part of the Freedom Center’s series “Democracy, Education, and the Arts.”
Ailey II will perform Mystery at Sky Square (2024), choreographed by Alia Kache with music by Omari Tau; Down the Rabbit Hole (2024), choreographed by Houston Thomas with music by Johannes Goldbach (“Pomassl”); and Streams (1970), choreographed by Alvin Ailey with music by Miloslav Kabelac (“Eight Inventions, Opus 245”). The company is led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper. Sylvia Waters is Artistic Director Emerita. Company Members are Carley Brooks, Meredith Brown, Jennifer M. Gerken, Alfred L. Jordan II, Xavier Logan, Kiri Moore, Corinth Moulterie, Xhosa Scott, Kayla Mei-Wan Thomas, Darion Turner, Eric J. Vidaña, and Jordyn White.
“We look forward to collaborating with our next-door neighbors at the Du Bois Freedom Center to bring this groundbreaking dance troupe to Great Barrington,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “Alvin Ailey’s company advanced the recognition of Black talent in the American modern dance world, and Ailey II has a long history of launching talented dancers not only through its own company but also onto stages across the nation and the globe.”
This year, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – marks its 50th anniversary of merging the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Today, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.
“We are delighted to work with the Mahaiwe on this production and hope we will have a strong partnership going forward. Programming that is exciting to all of our community is a priority for both organizations,” says Du Bois Freedom Center board president John Speer.
The Du Bois Freedom Center — through a Mellon Foundation Humanities in Place Grant — has sponsored 100 tickets for BIPOC leaders, students, educators, and BIPOC serving organizations.
Tickets are on sale now for $36 to $76, with discounts for Mahaiwe Members and individuals ages 30 and under. Buy at mahaiwe.org or call or visit the Box Office, 413-528-0100, on Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
About the Du Bois Freedom Center
The mission of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy is to educate the public about the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of the Berkshires.
Located at the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington, where he was born and raised, this vibrant center of Black thought and remembrance constitutes the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to Du Bois’ life and legacy.
About the Mahaiwe
Located in downtown Great Barrington, Mass., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, Live in HD broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905. Since 2005, the performing arts center has hosted over 1,500 events and welcomed over half a million people through its doors. More than 26,000 students from 75 different schools have benefited from the Mahaiwe’s school-time performances and residencies. For more information, see mahaiwe.org.
Images:
Ailey II (1)
Ailey II (2)