Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) and Arthur Mitchell are the original gangstas of black dance as we know it today! Only a few years apart in age, they were young brothers in spirit who came to prominence on the New York dance scene of the mid-1950's, and together they revolutionized dance. As founding fathers of two of the most renowned modern dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater & The Dance Theater of Harlem, they literally flipped the script on what it meant to be a professional black dancer. A black male dancer, in particular! Their individual stories are quite well known and at this point, if I didn't say anything more about them it would be more than enough. In fact, Nuff Said!
By chance, you should need to know more - google them, go to Youtube or read Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance by Jennifer Dunning. However, if you want to glimpse these two brilliant young men at the beginning of their careers, then be my guest!
The following photographs of the artists were taken in 1955 (Ailey) and 1956 (Mitchell) respectively. As we have seen in previous posts, Carl Van Vechten was always there to document the occasion!
The Dance Theater of Harlem has produced an outstanding number of students who've graduated to successful careers as dancers, musicians, technicians in production, stage and wardrobe, as well as arts administration. In this video clip, Arthur Mitchell takes us back to the beginning. The man is fabulous & the full interview is riveting! Watch it in its entirety on Youtube.
Drawing on the blues, jazz and the spirituals, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater produced many moving and intense theatrical spectacles such as Revelations! Here is an emotional interpretation of one of the movements from Ailey's signature piece, performed at the master's funeral at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1989.
Geez Corey, you just keep the images coming at us and I always feel a little better educated. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: ed cookman, way2ec | November 06, 2011 at 01:37 AM
We who have a keen appreciation for the Arts and Culture owe a lot to these daring bruthas! They put it all out there back at a time when no one else dared to. Thank God Arthur & Geoffrey are still with us.
I patronage the Ailey Dance Co. and the DTH every year and will continue to do so as long as I am able to. I go every year in December to see the Ailey Co at City Center. I will always bless my 11th grade English teacher for taking us to see Ailey back in '73. I've been a fan ever since. And when DTH sends their pledge cards in the mail I go immediately and get my credit card and tick off a donation.
A friend once asked; "Why do you go see 'Revelations' every year?" Because I'm just not tired of it yet, thats why!
Posted by: Greg | November 06, 2011 at 02:16 PM
@Greg - Gon'head, brotha!
Posted by: Corey | November 06, 2011 at 02:27 PM
GREAT post Corey!! Thx!!
Posted by: Fabian Thomas | November 13, 2011 at 10:25 PM