<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Palatino;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">ALVIN AILEY, DANCE AT ITS
FINEST!; upcoming events </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Roy Berko</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Palatino">(Member,
Dance Critics Association)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">How many superlatives are
there in the English language that can be used to describe Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater’s May 4 performance at the State Theatre?<span style> </span>I could start with <i style>superlative</i>, then transition into <i style>exciting</i>, <i style>mesmerizing</i>, <i style>compelling</i>, <i style>creative</i>, and then add <i style>powerful</i>
and <i style>dynamic</i>.<span style> </span>I could go on from there, but the point
has been made.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">The Alvin Ailey company
brought the crowd to its feet several times during the production and had them
standing, clapping, and dancing in the rows and aisles at the end.<span style> </span>This was not an automatic Cleveland
standing “O,” this was a well deserved tribute to one outstanding evening of
dance!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Since the numbers aren’t
necessarily going to be repeated in the other two presentations this weekend, going
into detail about each segment isn’t necessary.<span style> </span>It’s enough to make some general comments.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">In 1958 Alvin Ailey and a
group of young African-American modern dancers came onto the scene and
captivated the dance world.<span style> </span>They
became legends who have performed before an estimated 23 million people in 71
countries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">When Ailey died in 1989,
Judith Jamison, Ailey’s personal choice for the position, took over as Artistic
Director.<span style> </span>The question of whether
the company would retain its high quality was raised.<span style> </span>The query was answered when, in 2008, the company was
recognized by a<span style> </span>U.S. Congressional
resolution for their being “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world
which celebrates the African-American cultural experience.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">When Robert Battle become
Artistic Director on July 1, 2011, again one of the questions was whether he
could duplicate the fabled performances.<span style>
</span>Fear not dance aficionados.<span style>
</span>If the State Theatre presentation is any indication, the company is not
only in good hands with Battle, but it seems to have gained a new
presence.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">The dancers are
well-trained, skilled in dance techniques.<span style> </span>There are no leads, no feature dancers, they are a melded
unit.<span style> </span>My notes reveal such words
as <i style>powerful</i>, <i style>gymnastic</i>, <i style>motionless freezes</i>,
<i style>well supported lifts</i>, <i style>torrid pace</i>, <i style>fine interactions</i>, <i style>lighting
enhanced movements</i> <i style>and sounds</i>, <i style>flowing</i>, <i style>total abandonment</i>, <i style>strong hip
thrusts</i>, <i style>total body control</i>, <i style>gorgeous visualizations</i>, <i style>beautiful integration of music and movements</i>,
<i style>well selected musical pieces</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Though the entire evening
was exciting, the best was saved for last, Ailey’s 1960 signature piece, REVELATIONS.<span style> </span>Danced to traditional gospel music,
highlighted by <i style>Rocka my Soul</i>, the
ten-segment composition bursts off the stage, leaving the audience standing,
clapping and screaming.<span style> </span>It’s an
experience not to be missed.<span style> </span>That
number will close all three local performances.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"><span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style><span style="font-family:Palatino">Capsule judgement: It can only be hoped that it isn’t too long
before the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the area.<span style> </span>This is a world class dance company
that deserves to be seen over and over!<span style>
</span>Hallelujah!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER performs at
the State Theatre through May 6 in the State Theatre.<span style> </span>For tickets call 216-241-6000.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-family:Palatino">DANCING WHEELS</span></b><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">The Dancing Wheels Company will present DARE TO
BE DIFFERENT!, an evening of world premieres by Michael Uthoff, Mark Tomasic,
Heidi Latsky and Terrence Greene at the Allen Theatre on May 19.<span style> </span>For tickets call </span><span style="font-family:Palatino">216.432.0306 or go to <a href="http://dancingwheels.org">http://dancingwheels.org</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-family:Palatino">DANCE CLEVELAND</span></b><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino">DANCECLEVELAND, the area’s major dance importer
announced its 2012-2013<span style>
</span>season.<span style> </span>It includes <i style>FRAULEIN MARIA</i> from DOUG ELKINS AND
FRIENDS (August 10 and 11 @ The Hanna Theatre); TREY McINTYRE PROJECT (October
6 @ E. J. Thomas Hall, Akron); SPELLBOUND DANCE COMPANY from Italy (November 10
@ The Ohio Theatre); Alonzo King LINES BALLET (January 26 & 27 @ The Ohio
Theatre); MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP (March 2 @ The Palace Theatre); LUCKY PLUSH
(May 2, 3 & 4 @ The Allen Theatre).<span style>
</span>For tickets go to Dancecleveland.org</span><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p>