Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Launches 2012 North American Tour Led By Robert Battle in His Inaugural Season as Artistic Director

Performances from February 2 to May 27 in 27 Cities Reach Back into Ailey Tradition and Stretch Out in New Directions featuring Ailey's Extraordinary Dancers in a Diverse Array of Acclaimed Premieres, New Productions and Repertory Favorites

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," will visit 27 cities in the United States and Canada from February 2nd to May 27th for performances that launch the next era in Ailey history led by dynamic Artistic Director Robert Battle. The tour kicks off on February 2nd in Toronto, ON, followed by a week-long engagement at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center.  In addition to Miami, FL, the hometown of Robert Battle, the tour will visit Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; Berkeley, CA; Costa Mesa, CA; Chicago, IL; Montreal, QC; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ; and other cities throughout the country.  Following critically-acclaimed sold out performances in New York City, Ailey's extraordinary dancers will move audiences in a series of premieres, new productions and repertory favorites including:

• Home, the world premiere of a bold new dance by hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris, inspired by stories of people living with or affected by HIV;
• the company premiere of Paul Taylor's romantic masterpiece Arden Court (1981), set on the company under the supervision of Mr. Taylor, marking the first time a work by this American master has been in the Ailey repertory;
• the company premiere of Minus 16 (1999), by the renowned American-Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin;
• the company premiere of a pivotal work in the career of Robert Battle - Takademe (1999), which mixes humor and high-flying movement in a savvy deconstruction of Indian Kathak dance rhythms;
• a new production of the solo Journey (1958) by Joyce Trisler (1934-1979), an early member of the Ailey company;
• and a new production of a landmark dance by Alvin Ailey, Streams (1970).

Repertory favorites include Robert Battle's explosive The Hunt and Mr. Ailey's beloved masterpiece Revelations, an American classic acclaimed as a must-see and recognized by a U.S. Senate resolution, will provide the inspiring finale for all performances.

"This is the beginning of a new adventure—for the company, for me and for our audiences," stated Robert Battle, who became Artistic Director on July 1, 2011.  "It gives me great pride to build upon the inspiring legacy of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison.  I'm excited for people across the country to witness the world's most amazing dancers as we take the next step in Ailey's inspiring journey."

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit, using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.  Join Ailey's unparalleled dancers for an electrifying performance that will reveal once again why Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has brought audiences around the globe to their feet night after night with an incomparable sense of freedom, spirit and joy. 

Detailed 2012 US Tour schedule is below (subject to change) and online at http://www.alvinailey.org/2012tour.

For additional photos, videos and materials, visit pressroom.alvinailey.org

SOURCE Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation