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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2011)
D ecem ber 7, 2011 arif» Fortiani» (Observer Page 13 Arts * I EN SII 1 AINMENT TE 1 RT Your Care Our First Priority Dr. Marcelitte Fa il la Chiropractic Physician 1716 N.E. 42nd Ave. Portland, OR 97213 (Between Broadway and Sandy Blvd.) • Automobile accident injuries • Chronic headache and joint pain • Workers Compensation injuries Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre holds a dress rehearsal in New York City ahead o f last week’s debut o f a new work by choreographer Paul Taylor. (AP Photo) Ailey Dance Theater Pulls Out the Stops Season opener marks new era (AP) — Y ou can always count on a few things about the annual Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater gala. It will be a grand occasion at the New York City Center. The audi ence will be packed, enthusiastic, beautifully dressed. Much money will be raised, and "Revelations" will be on the program. Not that it should be any differ ent. But this year's event posed a unique challenge: How to make "Revelations," that crown jew el in the Ailey repertoire, shine even brighter, to mark the ascendance o f new artistic director Robert Battle and the dawn of the post- Judith Jam ison era? Clearly, a special weapon was needed. Live music? That was great, but they've done it before. Dancers spilling into the aisles and balcony? Not bad. But the surefire winner was to bring on the children. Six children as young as 7 — students of the Ailey school's jun ior division — were a delightful and moving addition, gazing heaven ward with intensity and splaying their hands in the distinctive moves o f T 've B een B uked," then sashaying across the stage with their elders in "Wade in the Water." C o n s id e rin g th at " R e v e la tions," A iley's m asterpiece, is more than 50 years old and shows no signs o f fading, it didn't seem too farfetched to imagine these kids taking the leads in 15 years or so. The evening was peppered with guest appearances, the first by singer John Legend, crooning Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic" as the re turning Alicia Graf Mack, even more lithe and statuesque than most Ailey dancers, performed a solo choreo graphed in 2004 by none other than Jamison, who stepped down last season after more than two decades at the helm. Jamison's hand-picked succes sor, Battle, was eager to show off the sense of humor that has become a hallmark of his public appearances, tossing off jokes, hogging the spot light just a little and making it clear he intends to be a colorful, jovial presence for years to come. Holiday Stroll on Hawthorne A southeast Portland neighbor hood throws a party with its second annual Hawthorne Holiday Stroll featuring special sales, live music and entertainment, complimentary snacks and hot drinks, neighbor- hood carolers, and kid friendly fes tivities. The Hawthorne Boulevard Busi ness A ssociation sponsors the event on Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon to 7 p.m. Over 100businesses are participating in their dedication to the ideals of community involve ment and making Hawthorne a de sirable place to work, shop, and live. Visit thinkhawthorne.com for more details on the day’s events. Call for an appointment! (503)228-6140 One Year Anniversary Showdogs is a full service salon. We do baths, all over hair cuts, tooth brushing , nail trims, soft claws, flea treatments, mud baths, and ear cleaning. We also have health care and grooming products to keep your pet clean in between visits. Show Dogs Grooming Salon & Boutique 926 N. L om bard P ortland, O R 97217 503-283-1177 Tiiesday-Saturday 9am-7pm Monday 10am-4pm Yo dawg is gonna look like a show dawg and your kitty will he pretty.
