D ecem ber 7, 2011
arif»
Fortiani» (Observer
Page 13
Arts
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1 AINMENT
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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.