With off-the-charts energy, Ailey II—the next generation of dance that exudes the legacy of Alvin Ailey--will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23 at the Heymann Performing Arts in Lafayette. Tickets are available at www.heymanncenter.com and at the Heymann box office. Ailey II is part of the 23-24 Performing Arts Serving Acadiana (PASA) season.
The program for the evening will include a variety of works and Ailey classics, including Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece, “Revelations.”
“There is nothing like an Ailey II performance, which is always danced to perfection and performed to a variety of choice music,” says PASA’s executive director Jackie Lyle. “The always-rousing “Revelations” is unforgettable!”
In addition to the public performance on February 23, Ailey II will lead master classes for dancers at the Performing Arts Academy at Ovey Comeaux High School and at the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
On Saturday, February 24, the company will welcome non-dancers to a Move With Ailey II session that begins at 10 a.m. The session will take place in McLaurin Hall on the campus of the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Admission is free and those who wish to participate must register on Eventbrite.com.
Ailey II, with a beautiful, professional cast of dancers is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers.
Dance Magazine calls Ailey II "second to none," and The New York Times declares, "There's nothing like an evening spent with Ailey II, the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."
This year, Ailey II marks its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the company embodies Mr. Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Sylvia Waters was selected by Mr. Ailey to be its founding Artistic Director, serving in that role for the Company's first 38 seasons and helping Ailey II to flourish into one of the most popular modern dance companies.
In September 2021, Francesca Harper stepped into the role of Artistic Director of Ailey II. Ms. Harper – who trained at The Ailey School and who has choreographed for both Ailey companies – brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.
Ailey II combines a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Just back from performances in Europe, the company heads out across a swath of the United States before arriving in Lafayette for the February 23 performance.
PASA’s Ailey II engagement is supported by sponsorship from Kinchen Funeral Home, Latter & Blum, Lee Michaels and the Louisiana Lottery. The project is also supported by an External Agency Grant, sponsored by Lafayette Consolidated Government and administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.
PASA is committed to an inclusive theater and community experience for all of its patrons. The Heymann Center is an ADA compliant venue with accessible seating areas and a designated accessible entrance. Early seating is offered for those who need additional time to get to their seats. Infra-red listening devices are available free-of-charge for those with low hearing and are available in the Heymann Center lobby. Additionally, PASA provides large print program notes and American Sign Language interpretation upon request. Patrons with disabilities who have additional accessibility requests or who are in need of additional information are encouraged to contact the PASA office at 337-769-3231 or email info@pasaonline.org. The Heymann Center can be reached at 337-291-5540.
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