February 21, 2024
Page 7
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Bringing Stories to Life through Dance
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 pro-
found artistry and emotional
depth showcased on stage. Start-
ing at 7:30 PM, each performance
showcases the Company's diverse
repertoire and culminates with Al-
vin 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 spiri-
tual elation. One of the most wide-
ly seen pieces in modern dance,
Revelations pays homage to and
reflects the cultural heritage of the
African American experience.
On Tuesday, March 12, the pro-
gram begins with Following the
Subtle Current Upstream, a capti-
vating piece by Alonzo King that
mirrors life’s tumultuous waves,
symbolizing the natural inclina-
tion of all things to return to their
origins. The evening continues
with an all-female production of
Ode, a profound and introspec-
tive work by former Ailey danc-
er Jamar Roberts which reflects
on the fragility and preciousness
of life in a time of growing gun
violence. The following eve-
ning, Wednesday, March 13, the
company presents another mixed
bill featuring a season world pre-
miere and two new productions
of beloved works. Audiences will
be treated to Ronald K. Brown’s
Dancing Spirit - avibrant tribute
to Ailey Artistic Director Emeri-
ta Judith Jamison, capturing her
enduring influence and spirit. Me,
Myself and You, a dreamlike duet
created for this season by former
Ailey dancer Elizabeth Rox-
as-Dobrish, explores themes of
love and passion with a haunting
reminiscence. The dynamic tour
de force Solo by Hans van Ma-
nen, 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. Con-
gressional resolution as a vital
American “Cultural Ambassa-
dor to the World,” grew from a
now‐fabled March 1958 perfor-
mance in New York that changed
forever the perception of Amer-
ican dance. Founded by Alvin
Ailey, posthumous recipient of
the Presidential Medal of Free-
dom—the nation’s highest civil-
ian 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 Amer-
ican cultural experience and the
preservation and enrichment of
the American modern dance tra-
dition. For more information, vis-
it www.alvinailey.org.
North by
Northeast
honors and
celebrates
Black History
Month
North by Northeast Community Health Center is the only clinic in Oregon devoted
to African American health. We provide welcoming, high quality health care to
adults who have Oregon Health Plan. Since 2006, our priority has been to serve the
local African American community and to reduce the deadly effects of high blood
pressure and diabetes. We are accepting new patients, and if you’re uninsured, we
can help you get covered!
To make an appointment or learn
about our services, contact us:
www.nxneclinic.org
(503) 287-4932
714 NE Alberta Street
Portland, Oregon 97211