AILEY II Brings "Revelations" and the Next Generation of Dance to Boone Celebrated ensemble led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper performs Friday, Feb. 20 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center.
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AILEY II BRINGS THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCE TO BOONE
Celebrated ensemble led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper performs Friday, Feb. 20 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center.
BOONE, NC — Appalachian Arts, the performing arts series of App State’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance, one of the nation’s most acclaimed contemporary dance companies, to the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 20 at 7:30pm. Led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, Ailey II will present a dynamic evening of dance featuring Streams, Down the Rabbit Hole, and Alvin Ailey’s enduring masterpiece, Revelations. Tickets are $10–$45 and are available at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center Box Office (733 Rivers St.), or by calling 828-262-4046.
For more than five decades, Ailey II has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s best early-career dance talent with the passion and artistry of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded in 1974 as a bridge between The Ailey School and the professional dance world, the company embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to nurture the next generation of talented artists and reach audiences around the world by making dance accessible to all. Under Artistic Director Francesca Harper’s direction, Ailey II is forging a new path for modern dance — one that’s inclusive, experimental, and transformative.
Alvin Ailey’s Streams is an abstract exploration of bodies in space set to a percussive score by Miloslav Kabelac. Through a fluid compilation of solos, duets, and ensemble sections, the choreography, which reflects the formal, meditative mood of Kabelac’s music, evokes images and sensations inspired by bodies of water — from a gentle brook to a turbulent ocean — mirroring the changing tides within us. Critics have praised the piece for its “stunning group work” that seamlessly represents “moods of jubilance, sadness, acceptance, and glee” (The Saturday Review), and for the way it “exposes its dancers and their technique in [heroic and beautiful] ways” (The New York Times).
The high-powered Down the Rabbit Hole is a continuation of choreographer Houston Thomas’ “Follow the White Rabbit,” further examining the relationship between humans and technology. Inspired by The Matrix film series, “Down the Rabbit Hole” explores how technology weaves into the fabric of daily life, transforming how we as humans interact and function. Set to a score by Johannes Goldbach and Pomassl, Thomas begs the question: Technological change — are we powering it or is it powering us?
Performed to African American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations is a cultural treasure. This enduring classic, born out of the choreographer’s “blood memories” of his childhood in rural Texas and the Baptist Church, fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. From the opening notes of the plaintive “I Been ’Buked” to the rousing “Wade in the Water” to the triumphant finale, “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham,” Revelations is a transcendent experience that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Following the performance, App State dance faculty member Ray Miller will moderate an onstage post-show Q&A with Francesca Harper and members of the company.
Ailey II will also offer a free community masterclass focused on Revelations repertoire on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5–6:15pm in Varsity Gym Dance Studio 208 A/B on the App State campus. The class is open to dancers of all levels ages 10 and up. Registration is encouraged; email Christy Chenausky at
About Ailey II
Ailey II — the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded in 1974 as a bridge between The Ailey School and the professional dance world, Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters from 1974-2012, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. With Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, Ailey II is forging a new path for modern dance — one that’s inclusive, experimental, and transformative. For more information, visit ailey.org/aileyii.
Tickets
Seating for most shows is tiered at three levels. Ticket discounts are available to children/students and to App State students for select shows. App State faculty/staff receive a discount off tiered tickets and should call the Box Office for special code. Get tickets at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer (733 Rivers St), or by calling 828.262.4046.
About Appalachian Arts
Appalachian Arts is a performing arts series offering campus and community audiences a diverse array of music, dance and theatre programming designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the Appalachian State University campus and surrounding area. By creating memorable performance experiences and related educational and outreach activities, the series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience; provides a "window on the world" through the artistry of nationally and internationally renowned artists; and showcases some of the finest artists of our nation and our region. Musical events range from symphony orchestra and chamber music performances to jazz, folk, traditional, international, and popular artists. Theatre productions run the gamut from serious drama to musical comedy. Dance performances offer an equally wide array of styles, from ballet to modern dance to international companies representing cultural traditions from around the world. For more information, visit http://theschaefercenter.org.
Thank You to Our Appalachian Arts Sponsors
App State Campus Store, Explore Boone, Courtyard by Marriott, Graystone Lodge, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Mountain Times and Watauga Democrat, Our State Magazine, WNC Magazine, PBS North Carolina, High Country Radio (WZJS and WATA), WDAV 89.9 FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WKSK The Farm, and WASU 90.5FM.
