A Breathtaking Experience
White Bird Brings the Legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Portland's Keller Auditorium for Two Stunning 65th Anniversary Season
As part of its 65th anniversary season, the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater returns to the Keller Auditorium in Portland, OR, for two distinct
programs presented by White Bird on March 12 and 13. This marks the
company's sixth appearance with White Bird, and each has left audiences
moved by the profound artistry and emotional depth showcased on stage.
Starting at 7:30 PM, each performance showcases the Company's diverse
repertoire and culminates with Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations,
acclaimed a must-see for all. Since its premiere in 1960, this timeless classic has
consistently enraptured audiences all over the world with its perfect blend of
reverent grace and spiritual elation. One of the most widely seen pieces in modern dance, Revelations pays homage to and reflects the cultural heritage of the African American experience.
On Tuesday, March 12, the program begins with Following the Subtle Current
Upstream, a captivating piece by Alonzo King that mirrors life’s tumultuous
waves, symbolizing the natural inclination of all things to return to their origins.
The evening continues with an all-female production of Ode, a profound and
introspective work by former Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts which reflects on the
fragility and preciousness of life in a time of growing gun violence.
The following evening, Wednesday, March 13, the company presents another
mixed bill featuring a season world premiere and two new productions of
beloved works. Audiences will be treated to Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit - a
vibrant tribute to Ailey Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, capturing her
enduring influence and spirit. Me, Myself and You, a dreamlike duet created for
this season by former Ailey dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, explores themes of
love and passion with a haunting reminiscence. The dynamic tour de force Solo
by Hans van Manen, showcases the Ailey men's remarkable agility and grace in
an exhilarating whirlwind of movement and musicality.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional
resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a
now‐fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the
perception of American dance. Founded by Alvin Ailey, posthumous recipient
of the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation’s highest civilian honor, and
guided by Judith Jamison beginning in 1989, the Company was then led by
Robert Battle from 2011 to 2023. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has
performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents,
promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the
preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org.