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Energy Inc.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Opera House
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, DC
February 8, 2006

by George Jackson
copyright ©2006 by
George Jackson

Festivities abounded at the beginning of the Ailey's week in Washington. Opening night at the Opera House was early, 7 PM, because of a post-performance party. That didn't faze the dancers, more so the audience which had a higher proportion of latecomers than usual. The company, 47 years old, has always performed at high voltage but for several seasons in the recent past it seemed inhuman, so hard hitting was its attack. That manner began to dissipate a year or so ago, and this time the dancing could breathe and individuality shine.

Alicia J. Graf was the star of "Shining Star". Tall, elegantly articulated, this former classical dancer (with Dance Theater of Harlem) attracts the eye even when huddling down infront of others in the cast. Fortunately, David Parson's disco choreography also lets Graf unravel. At times she has to twist her torso and hitch her hips, which she's learning to do. Will this spoil her for the danse d'ecole? Graf's partner, Dion Wilson, handled her with a gentle strength and established a warm presence. I suppose that the piece - to music by Earth, Wind & Fire - shows those in the audience who don't go club dancing what that's all about. Next came a Bach ballet that's become a staple, Hans van Manen's "Solo" for three men - on this occasion Clifton Brown, Glenn Allen Sims and Matthew Rushing. Dressed almost alike (only their undershirts differ in tint), they don't look or dance alike. One is punchy, bounding and another stretchy, wide ranging and the last one very centered, almost classical in his phrasing. The men give the impression of having divided up the "solo" by chance. Has it ever been taken on by just one performer?

"Reminiscin'", by company director Judith Jamison, is a set dances for people gathered at a bar. Personalities are expressed, relationships are worked and much of the choreography is nicely moody. Set to popular songs of the past, the piece has more substance than "Shining Star" but also is just a collection whereas Ailey's "Revelations", his and the company's calling card, adds up and is more than the sum of its parts. Linda Celeste Sims in the "Fix Me, Jesus" section and "I Wanna Be Ready" as danced by Amos J. Machanic, Jr. were highlights.

Wednesday morning involved the Ailey company in a very Washington event. It was the ceremonial transfer of the Ailey archive to the Library of Congress. As Jamison put it, "from a closet to the capital". On stage with her in the Coolidge Auditorium, speaking, were James H. Billington (Librarian of Congress), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Congressman Jerrold Nadler. Dancing the "Wade in the Water" section of "Revelations" were Renee Robinson, Matthew Rushing and Dwana Adiaha Smallwood. The big umbrella Robinson carried in the dance ended up in Billington's hands, but he declined Jamison's invitation to come and take class at the Ailey school.
      

Volume 4, No. 6
February 13, 2006
copyright ©2006 George Jackson
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last updated on February 13, 2006