Judith Jamison News

Having performed in 71 countries across six continents, Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater is the most-traveled dance company in the world and was recently recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American ?Cultural Ambassador to the World.? A universal beacon of inspiration over the last five decades, the Company uplifts and enlightens audiences in a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.

Indiana University Professor Portia Maultsby was closely involved with the development of 'Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy,' a groundbreaking, two-week festival at Carnegie Hall celebrating African American culture.

A cast of leading woman in the arts including Lisa Brescia, Stockard Channing, Jenn Colella, Suzanne Farrell, Judith Jamison, Patti LaBelle, k.d. lang, Annie Leibovitz, Audra McDonald, Reba McEntire, Veronika Part, Amy Poehler, Dianne Reeves, LeAnn Rimes, Chita Rivera Kathleen Turner and members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the Kennedy Center's 17th annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala, Sunday, May 3rd at 8:30pm in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Indiana University Professor Portia Maultsby was closely involved with the development of 'Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy,' a groundbreaking, two-week festival at Carnegie Hall celebrating African American culture.

Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. in association with ATTRACT Productions (Greece) is presenting the Martha Graham Dance Company in a special engagement at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, Tuesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 16th. The acclaimed company will be performing two programs of Grahams' classics and on Thursday, May 14th there will be a special Gala honoring international impresario Paul Szilard (guests & program tba).

The Ailey Extension is pleased to offer fans of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II a free 'Ticket to Dance'-the opportunity to receive a complimentary Ailey Extension class with their ticket stub from any Ailey performance in the nation! The offer is good for one year from the performance date for first time students, and for returning students when purchasing a 10-class card for classes at the Ailey Extension in New York City.

Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. in association with ATTRACT Productions (Greece) is presenting the Martha Graham Dance Company in a special engagement at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, Tuesday, May 12th-Saturday, May 16th. The acclaimed company will be performing two programs of Grahams' work and on Thursday, May 14th there will be a special Gala honoring Paul Szilard (guests & program tba).

The BET Honors took place at the Warner Theater in Washington DC on January 17th. Samuel L. Jackson was among the many stars that showed up to pay tribute to the lives and accomplishments of 'African American luminaries'. The event hosted by Gabrielle Union honored the likes of Mary J. Blige, Tyler Perry and Magic Johnson. Anita Baker performed thrilling versions of 'One' and 'Caught Up In The Rapture' while Monica sang 'Not Gon Cry' during a tribute to Mary J. Blige.

Following a celebratory New York season, which opened with a December 3rd Golden Anniversary Gala with Oprah Winfrey as Honorary Chair and Honored Guest, and the Empire State building shining in golden tribute, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) will now bring the beauty, power, passion and artistry that are its hallmarks to audiences across the United States. As part of a 50-city global tour in celebration of AAADT's 50th Anniversary, a 26-city U.S. tour will begin February 3rd at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center and continue through May 24th with visits to Atlanta, GA; Tucson, AZ; Berkeley, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ and other cities. Led by renowned Artistic Director Judith Jamison, the Company will present a diverse repertory of exciting premieres, dramatic new productions, revered classics, and repertory favorites. AAADT company member Hope Boykin's Go in Grace; an innovative collaboration with Grammy-Award winning female a cappella musical group Sweet Honey In The Rock, who will perform their original score live onstage with the dancers, will be performed in 10 different cities including Atlanta, GA and Newark, NJ. Acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti was so inspired by the dancers that he cast the entire company in Festa Barocca, his first world premiere for an American modern dance group, and one of the rare occasions to see all the Ailey artists together on the stage. A retrospective of Alvin Ailey's phenomenal choreographic career will be presented in a new Anniversary Highlights program that includes excerpts of over a dozen ballets. Spanning each decade, from Blues Suite, the dance that launched the Company in 1958, to Opus McShann, his final piece thirty years later, the program will also include his masterpiece Revelations in its entirety.

Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant was filled to the brim with two sold-out star-studded audiences as Valarie Pettiford took to the stage with her new show inspired by the things she is thankful for in her life; including her well deserved Tony Nomination in 'Fosse', her family whom she said 'filled her life with music' and of course, her fans who have supported her on her journey from her first job in the legendary film 'The Wiz' to her work in UPN's 'Half and Half.'

Upright Cabaret presents Tony-nominated actress Valarie Pettiford in her new show, 'Thankful,' directed by Ron Abel and written and directed by David Galligan at Mark's Restaurant in Hollywood. Accompanied by a stellar band, Pettiford blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theater.

Tony Nominated VALARIE PETTIFORD will be joined by Brazilian percussionist CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA as her special guest for VALARIE PETTIFORD's THANKFUL at Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant this Friday and Saturday, Nov 14-15, 2008 at 9pm.

Direct from New York, VALARIE PETTIFORD - THANKFUL, the smash hit solo show starring Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford makes its west coast debut at Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. in association with ATTRACT Productions is presenting the Martha Graham Dance Company in a special engagement at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, Tuesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 16th, 2009.

Focus on the 70s: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan is on display in the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, from July 30, 2008 through October 25, 2008.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com have announced VALARIE PETTIFORD Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:00p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Focus on the 70s: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan is on display in the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, from July 30, 2008 through October 25, 2008.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com have announced VALARIE PETTIFORD Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:00p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

The Music Center of Los Angeles County announces the sixth season of the Dance at the Music Center series. The season opens with the return of Miami City Ballet led by Artistic Director Edward Villella, performing the much anticipated, West Coast premiere of NIGHTSPOT a Twyla Tharp and Elvis Costello collaboration, October 24-26. Known for her innovation and creativity, Twyla Tharp has created some of the most memorable dances in modern repertory.

On Sunday night December 16, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater honored its longtime impresario, Paul Szilard, at a pre-performance ceremony and post-performance reception at City Center, which also celebrated his 95th birthday.