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(February 19, 2003) - Ailey II, one of America's most dynamic, young touring ensembles, returns home to New York City for four performances at Aaron Davis Hall, March 14-16, 2003. Under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters, Ailey II launched its 2002-2003 U.S. Tour in September, sharing their unique program of performances, residencies, master classes and outreach activities with audiences in more than 40 cities in 23 states. The spirit and energy of these dynamic dancers will shine for their home-based audience this year with selected ballets from the Company's vast repertoire of works by seasoned choreographers and emerging talents. This season marks the Company's 11th engagement at Aaron Davis Hall bringing its strength, vitality and passion to New York audiences each year.

Created by Alvin Ailey in 1974, Ailey II began as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble with the intention of aiding exceptionally talented individuals in making the leap from the studio to the stage. With world-class coaching and an extensive performance schedule, the Company emphasizes a balance of repertoire, technique and performance and has won numerous honors, awards and proclamations in recognition of its performances and community outreach programs. With the youthfulness and intensity of these charismatic dancers, the admiration of fans and critics continues to grow. This season Ailey II presents a varied repertoire with works by noted dance-makers including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Artistic Director Judith Jamison and Ailey II's Resident Choreographer Troy Powell plus Robert Battle, Francesca Harper, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Scott Rink and Joyce Trisler, in addition to classic works by Mr. Ailey.

Ailey II company members. Photo by Roy Volkmann.

Ailey II company member Brandye Lee. Photo by Roy Volkmann.

Ailey II company members Kristina Michelle Bethel and Zach L. Ingram. Photo by Roy Volkmann.

NEW WORKS

The Tyner Project

Continuing the long tradition of collaborations between Ailey choreographers and legendary jazz musicians, Ailey II Resident Choreographer Troy Powell joins renowned pianist McCoy Tyner in a passionate exchange of movement and music. Originally commissioned for the 2002 Verizon Music Festival, The Tyner Project features lighthearted ensemble sections, a sensual pas de deux and an energetic full-company finale, all created in close collaboration with the McCoy Tyner Band.

The Hunt

Ailey II 's New York season also features the company premiere of Robert Battle 's The Hunt. Set to a wildly percussive soundtrack by Les Tambours du Bronx, this ballet for six men examines the relationship between modern sports and the rituals of the gladiators, revealing the aggressive side of human nature and the primitive thrill of the hunt.

DIVERSITY
Among the works being presented during Ailey II 's New York season are excerpts from Ms. Jamison's Divining, which creatively displays the Company 's versatility. Divining is a unique combination of primitive tribal energy and urban sophistication performed to a percussive score by Monti Ellison and Kimati Dinizulu. In addition, Ailey II will perform Troy Powell s abstract ballet, Fragments, a mysterious and sensual work accompanied by Leontyne Prices' Ave Maria and music by Richard Bennett. Choreographer Scott Rink takes inspiration from P.J. Harvey 's bittersweet song Is that all there is? for his ensemble piece Full on Night, reflecting a young woman s inner journey through past relationships. In addition, Ailey II brings to life the contemporary jazz of the United Future Organization in Darrell Grand Moultrie's playful Aspects of a Vibe. Other repertory highlights are Joyce Trisler's Journey, a solo set to the music of Charles Ives, and Robert Battles' Takademe, a fast-paced percussive solo (also performed as a trio) that deconstructs the tightly woven rhythms of traditional Indian Kathak music. Francesca Harper's 1999 ballet, Sensory Feast will also be performed at Aaron Davis Hall this season. Sensory Feast is a dark and alluring work set to an original score by Rolf Ellmer. The ballet examines the concept of self-introspection using a large, innovative set of mirrors.

CLASSICS
The spirit of Mr. Ailey will be celebrated with excerpts >from his classic works in two Ailey Highlights programs.

Ailey Highlights I features the solo excerpt Recitativo from Mr. Ailey's 1970 ballet Streams set to music by Czech composer Miloslav Kabelac and a dramatic male solo titled Spirits Descending from Mr. Ailey's powerful Hidden Rites. Also included is the Mean Ol Frisco excerpt >from one of Mr. Ailey 's signature works, Blues Suite, which portrays rural southern Texas during the Depression and Isba, a ritualistic celebration of courtship choreographed to George Winston's classic work, Autumn. Closing Ailey Highlights I is an excerpt from Escapades, a love story told through a suite of four sumptuous dances set to a score by jazz legend Max Roach.

Ailey Highlights II features stunning solo, duets and group excerpts from Mr. Ailey 's 1970 ballet Streams set to music by Czech composer Miloslav Kabelac as well as a dramatic male solo titled Spirits Descending from Mr. Ailey 's powerful Hidden Rites. Also included are the Mean Ol Frisco and House of the Rising Sun excerpts from one of his signature works, Blues Suite, which portrays rural southern Texas during the Depression. In addition, the Company will perform excerpts from The Lark Ascending, a lyrical and earthy ballet set to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Performances begin Friday, March 14 with a special 11am performance for school groups and an evening performance at 8pm. The Company will perform on Saturday March 14 at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday March 16 at 3pm. A discussion with the artists will follow the Saturday matinee. Bus service is available from Aaron Davis Hall to Midtown Manhattan after each evening performance.

TICKETS
Ticket prices are $25 and $30 and discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. To order, call Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171, visit www.ticketmaster.com, call the Aaron Davis Hall Box Office at

(212) 650-7100 or visit www.aarondavishall.org. For group sales, call (212) 767-0590 ext. 222. Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of The City College of New York between 133rd and 135th Streets on Convent Avenue.

STUDENTS ONLY: DANCECHANCE student tickets are available for $10, subject to availability. Tickets may be purchased on the day of performance at the box office one hour prior to curtain. Cash only. A valid student ID must be presented at the time of purchase. One ID per student; one ticket per ID.

For further information, please contact Natalie Johnsonius at (212) 767-0590 ext. 222 /njohnsonius@alvinailey.org or Beth Olsen at (212)767-0590 ext. 202/bolsen@alvinailey.org.

Ailey II 's 2002-2003 National Tour is sponsored by MetLife Foundation.
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Ailey(r) II
Programming for Aaron Davis Hall
March 14-16, 2003
Subject to change

Friday, March 14, 8 p.m.
The Tyner Project
Divining (excerpt)
The Hunt
Ailey Highlights I

Saturday, March 15, 2 p.m.
Aspects Of A Vibe
Takedeme
Journey
Quintet
Sensory Feast

Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m.
The Tyner Project
Takedeme
Full On Night
Aspects Of A Vibe

Sunday, March 16, 3 p.m.
Ailey Highlights II
Divining (excerpt)
Journey
The Hunt
Fragments

Ailey(r) II
Repertory for Aaron Davis Hall
March 14-16, 2003
Subject to change.

AILEY HIGHLIGHTS I

BLUES SUITE (excerpt)
(1958)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Restaged by Masazumi Chaya
Assisted by Sylvia Waters and Hope Clarke
Music: Traditional
Decor and Costumes by Ves Harper
Costumes Redesigned by Normand Maxon
Lighting Originally Designed by Nicola Cernovitch
Lighting by Chenault Spence

STREAMS (excerpt)
(1970)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by Miloslav Kabelac ("Eight Inventions" Opus 45)
Costumes by A. Christina Giannini
Lighting by Chenault Spence

HIDDEN RITES (excerpt)
(1973)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by Patrice Sciortino ("Les Cyclopes")
Costumes by Bea Feitler
Lighting by Chenault Spence
Restaging by Mari Kajiwara

ISBA (excerpt)
(1983)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by George Winston ( Autumn )
Costumes by Carol Vollet-Kingston
Lighting by Tim Hunter
Restaged by Christopher Huggins

ESCAPADES (excerpts)
(1983)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by Max Roach
Costumes by Carol Vollet-Kingston
Lighting by Tim Hunter
Restaged by Christopher Huggins

AILEY HIGHLIGHTS II

HIDDEN RITES (excerpt)
(1973)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by Patrice Sciortino ("Les Cyclopes")
Costumes by Bea Feitler
Lighting by Chenault Spence
Restaging by Mari Kajiwara

THE LARK ASCENDING (excerpt)
(1996 - Company Revival)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Restaged by Tina Yuan Lems and Maxine Sherman
Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams
( The Lark Ascending Romance for Violin and Orchestra)
Costumes by Bea Feitler
Lighting by Chenault Spence

STREAMS (excerpt)
(1970)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Restaged by Mari Kajiwara
Music by Miloslav Kabelac ("Eight Inventions" Opus 45)
Costumes by A. Christina Giannini
Lighting by Chenault Spence

ASPECTS OF A VIBE
(2001)
Choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie
Music by United Future Organization
Costumes by Elena Commendador

DIVINING (excerpt)
(1984)
Choreography by Judith Jamison
Restaged by Sarita Allen, Elizabeth Roxas and Masazumi Chaya
Music by Kimati Dinizulu and Monti Ellison
Costumes originally designed by Masazumi Chaya
Costumes by Andy Kay [Jamison Project]
Lighting originally designed by Chenault Spence
Lighting by Timothy Hunter [Jamison Project]

FRAGMENTS
(2001)
Choreography by Troy Powell
Music by Richard Bennett
Lighting by Brenda Dolan
Costumes by Barbara Forbes

FULL ON NIGHT
(2001)
Choreography by Scott Rink
Music by P.J. Harvey and Matmos
Lighting by Jason Lyons
Costumes by Calvin Tran

JOURNEY
(1958)
Choreography by Joyce Trisler
Music by Charles Ives
Lighting by Nicola Cernovitch
Costumes by Malcolm McCormick

QUINTET
(1968)
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Music by Laura Nyro
Lighting Design by Nicola Cernovitch
Costumes by Matthew Cameron

SENSORY FEAST
(1999)
Choreography by Francesca Harper
Music by Rolf Ellmer
Décor and costumes by Elena Comendador
Lighting by Jeremy Barr

TAKEDEME
(2000)
Choreography by Robert Battle
Music by Sheila Chandra
Original costume by Missoni
Costume Recreated by Elena Comendador
Lighting by Burke Wilmore

THE HUNT
(2001)
Choreography by Robert Battle
Music by Les Tambours du Bronx
Costumes by Mia McSwain
Lighting by Burke Wilmore

THE TYNER PROJECT
(2002)
Choreography by Troy Powell
Music by McCoy Tyner
Costume design by Emilio Sosa
Lighting design by Aaron Copp

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