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March I. 2006
Page B3
Focus
he «
r^ A lv in
A iley
American Dance
Theater returns to
Portland for two per­
formances, Tuesday
and W ed n esd ay ,
March 14 and 15 at
the Arlene Schnitzer
Concert Hall, pre­
sen ted by W hite
Bird.
For over 45 years,
the Alvin Ailey danc­
ers have earned a
reputation as one of
the most celebrated
a m b a ssa d o rs
of
A m erican culture,
p ro m o tin g
the
uniqueness of Afri­
can American cul­
tural expression and
the preservation and
enrichm ent o f the
A m erican m odern
dance heritage.
Under the incom­
parable direction of
A ile y ’s legendary
dancer and artistic
d ire c to r
Ju d ith
Jam ison, the com ­
pany has built a repu­
tation as the premier
A m erican dance
company, one dis­
playing unparalleled artistry, elec­
trifying energy and boundless
passion.
The com pany is scheduled
to perform two different pro­
grams w hile in Portland, both
culm inating in Alvin A iley’s
m asterpiece “ Revelations.” Set
to the African- American spiri­
tuals Ailey heard as a child.
Revelations was inspired by his
memories o f attending Baptist
services in Texas and his ac­
q u a in ta n c e s w ith A fric a n -
A m e ric a n w rite rs Ja m e s
Baldwin and Langston Hughes.
The first program on T ues­
day, March 14 ,will open with
Jam ison's Rem iniscin’. Taking
its inspiration from the great
fe m a le ja z z a r tis ts S arah
Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina
Simone. Roberta Flack, Regina
Carter and Diana Krall as well as
E d w ard H o p p e r’s p a in tin g
Nighthawks, R em iniscin’ cap­
tures the essence of loving re­
lationships.
The second program is Ves­
pers, a dram atic work for the
Ailey women, full of raw energy
and profound grace. Next on
the program is Caught, a breath- M atthew R ushing brings African American culture and expression
taking fusion of art and tech- to life with th e Alvin Ailey dancers.
an
The thrilling Alvin
AileyAmerican
D ance Theater's
world prem iere o f
R em iniscin' is s e t to
m u sic by ja zz greats.
Alvin Ailey dancers are
T d C Q ambassadors of culture
nology.
athleticism . Solo, a seven-m inute
The W ednesday March 15, per­ tour-de-force work for three male
form ance opens with IFE/My Heart dancers, follows. Expressing three
by Ronald K. Brown for the Ailey sides o f the same man, the kinetic
Com pany. Using his signature fu­ work launches the three dancers
sion of modern, hip-hop and African across the stage in an explosive dis­
dance, Brown has created a stirring play of physicality and wit.
Tickets are available at the Port­
piece about love and family.
Next on the program is Urban Folk land Center for the Performing Arts
Dance, a com pact dance displaying box office or at any Ticketm aster
the seamless blend of expressive the- 'outlet, 503-790-2787 or online at
a tr ic a lity and h e a r t- s to p p in g ticketm aster.com .
Judith Jam ison
ALVIN
AILEY
AMERICAN DANCE TREATER
JUDITH JAMISON
artistic director ,
Masazumi Chap
associate artistic director
”Wherever they go.Jhey
raise the rooLthe sheer joy
floodiog across the tootlights
is irresistible.”
■Time Oat Lenti on
white
ÍS
2 Exciting programs each
featuring Ailey's Masterpiece ’’Revelations"
Dezarie
Ikahba
Roots Reggae at Berbati’s Pan
Two popular musicians w ill bring their roots
reggae sounds from the island of St. Croix to
Portland on Friday, March 3 for a 9 p.m.
performance at Berbati’ s Pan, 231 S.W.
Ankeny.
Dezarie and Ikahha blend rootsy rhyhms
with conscious chanting to give reggae a
unique sound. The style of singing is personi­
fied by younger DJs pelting out firebrand
lyrics at break neck speeds. Voting rights,
social justice and other real life issues
make their performances clearly a “ people's
music.”
Dezarie has been given the royal title of
"Roots Empress.” Her mesmerizing soothing
vocals counteract with sharp, caustic and
forceful chants to create sounds that resonate
on all wavelengths. Ikahha (Ariel Peterson)
also has some very soothing vocals which
balance out nicely with his tough chants.
Tickets are $15 in advance and available at
Berbati’ s Pan. Jackpot Records locations or
the New Born Tribe at Northeast Martin
Luther King Boulevard and Fremont Street.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
MARCH 14 & 1 5 ,» »
I
ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL
Tickets: $19-$60 plus service fee Discounts for students/seniors/groups
PCPA Box Office and ticketmaster 503-790-2787
Info./Groups:
503.245.1600 ext.201
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www.whitebird.org
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