While some dance companies entertain, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater takes your breath away. Because I’ve been seeing the Ailey dancers perform every year since I can remember, I have high expectations for each performance. I can confidently say that not once have I have been remotely let down.Last night I had the opportunity to see Ailey Highlights. I had been looking forward to this performance specifically because I knew it was a compilation of dances all choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself. Besides the traditional acclaimed Revelations, rarely does one get to be so lucky to witness an original Ailey routine. From smokey jazz to beautifully elegant ballet, Ailey was an eclectic choreographer. As soon as the curtain lifted--even before the dancers moved or the music played--I was immediately absorbed in the dance piece. Though the pieces were short – around 2-5 minutes each, each piece left me wanting more. I only wish there had been enough time to see each piece in its entirety.
The dancers move flawlessly; making every jeté or each pirouette seem easy. Their defined muscles only add to their unique talent, allowing the dancers to execute the routine with grace, charm and enthusiasm. The costumes are eye-catching; ranging from a splatter-painted body suit including all colors of the rainbow or keeping it simple with an all white flowy dress, it is clear that the costume designers put their all into making each ensemble look perfect.
If you love Alvin Ailey and love to dance, check out this great program the Ailey Company is offering.
Called the Ticket to Dance offer, this program offers ticket buyers from any Ailey performance (not just in New York, but when the company goes on tour starting in February, too) a chance to receive a complimentary dance class if they bring their paid ticket stub to The Ailey Extension.
The Ailey dancers are like no others; I believe they are some of the best performers I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. I know this because of the longing I feel to join them on stage every time I see them in the spotlight. If you’re looking to get into dance but don’t know where to start, here is a simple guide to the beginner’s Alvin Ailey dance class.
Ballet
Ballet, a highly technical form of dance with an entire vocabulary of its own, has flowy and precise acrobatic movements which will tone your entire body.
Plié: Stand with your legs together, toes pointed outwards and heels touching. This is called “first position”. Have one arm against something study to hold on to and the other arm out, parallel to the floor. This is called “second position”. To add elegance, slightly bend your elbow to create an oval-shape in your arm. Start to slowly bend your knees, keeping them facing outwards like your toes. While you’re doing this, slowly lower your arm in coordination with your plié to add grace. Once your knees make around a 45-degree angle, you can start to slowly come back up, while lifting your arm to its original position. Repeat as necessary for a thigh toner.
Tondue: While standing with your legs together and toes pointed outward, bring your arms to second position. You may hold on to a wall or something sturdy to hold your balance. Start to bring your leg out in front of you while dragging your pointed toe along the floor. Once you’ve reach as far as you can, keep your toes pointed outward and slowly bring your foot back to where it started, dragging your flat foot against the floor. You can do this to the front, side and back. Repeat as necessary for a calf toner.
Jazz
A dance style that celebrates happiness, jazz comes in all shapes and forms. Whether you’re jumping across the floor or swirling on your bum, jazz is open to all sorts of personal interpretation. You’ll get a full body workout for sure.
Grapevine: The grapevine is a classic jazz move. While standing with your feet together, take your arms and raise them to hip level, parallel to the floor. Don’t forget your jazz hands which you can make by spreading your fingers as wide as possible. Take one step out to the side with your right foot and jut your hip out to right, adding some sass. Next, take your left foot and cross it over the right one. Then take your right foot (which should be crossed behind your left foot now) and bring it around to cross over the left. Repeat until you reach the other side of the room, and if you’re feeling energized come back across the floor.
Chassé: Start with your legs in “wide second”, which is standing with your legs more than hip distance apart. Point your toes outward, and bend your knees. Bring your left foot to meet your right, then bring your right foot out (with bent knees) to a wide second again. Repeat this until you reach the end of the room, and come back to the other side of the room if you’re having fun.
Modern
Modern dance is a relatively recent movement, incorporating all sorts of nontraditional dance moves into a routine. In certain types of modern dance, there is no “right” or “wrong,” allowing each dancer to create their own interpretation of how the movement should be done.
Chené: This is a dance move done in all sorts of styles. The chene is another word for “turn”. Stand with your feet together, toes pointing outwards. Begin to move your right foot outwards to the side bending your knees. Next, quickly take your left foot to join the right, and lift up onto the balls of your feet--this is called a relevé. While you’re doing this, bring your hands into first position, which is when your finger tips are almost touching in front of your belly button and your elbows are slightly bent so your arms are forming a complete circle out in front of you. Begin to face the back wall, and then continue around to make a full circle so you’re facing the front again. Repeat as necessary, but make sure to “spot” the front so you don’t get too dizzy.
Jeté: This leap is one that you’ll have fun doing. Start with your feet together in parallel first position, toes pointed straight ahead of you. This Bend your knees and keep your arms down, pointed towards the floor. Start to bring your right foot out in front of you, and use the momentum in your bent knee to left yourself off the floor into a leep. Bring your arms out to the sides of you to add to the height of the jump. Land on your right foot with a bent knee (so as not to do any damage) and land softly with your feet together and hands down. Repeat as necessary for a butt toner.
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