Dec 7, 2020
In today’s episode I pay tribute to
Alvin Ailey’s iconic masterpiece “Revelations”, celebrating its
60th anniversary. I reminisce about the 50 years this dance has
been in my life: as an audience member since I was 12, a teen
dancer that learned excerpts of the choreography, a passionate
facilitator to introduce “Revelations” to newbies, an enthusiast
who delighted in sharing these performances with many friends and
family, to the proud wife of the bass player in Ailey’s wonderful
band that accompanies a glorious gospel choir. I miss seeing the
live performance this year and particularly miss the extended
family of all involved in this production.
As we mourn the loss of people, places and performances that can’t
be experienced in person, I am focused on the hope, inspiration and
joy captured in “Revelations”. I appreciate all that the
magnificent Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater stands for
and embodies. I am deeply grateful for the warm, inclusive, loving
embrace I experience when in the presence of Ailey’s band, spirited
choir and exquisite dancers. I’ll let that sustain me till we meet
again in person.
Checkout the links below to watch the Opening Night Virtual
Benefit and links to my previous podcast guests representing a
musician, 2 choir members and a dancer/Associate Artistic director
of the company. Enjoy the podcast!
Thanks to everyone who supported and donated to the MADE fundraiser
we launched last week. Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr. co-founded
MADE, a grassroots organization to address the needs of formerly
incarcerated people. MADE stands for Making A Difference Everyday.
Please join us in making a difference for an easily forgotten,
marginalized group of people.
Our bass playing daughter, her drummer husband and a circle of
their talented musician friends recorded an album last year, thanks
to the generosity of Matt and Margaret Balitsaris, to raise money
for Tarik and Toney’s program.
We’re happy to announce that along with the digital downloads that
are available at TheMadeProject.BandCamp.com,
MADE-transitions.org is offering physical CDs for purchase. The CDs
contain 3 additional bonus tracks not available at bandcamp.com. Thanks for your
continued support.
Links:
Alvin
Ailey Opening Night Virtual Benefit
Enlighten Podcast Episodes
featuring:
Gary
Fritz (Ailey
percussionist)
Roosevelt Credit (choir member)
Gail
Blache-Gill (choir
member)
Matthew Rushing (Alvin Ailey Associate Artistic
Director)
The MADE Project/GLOW
album:
themadeproject.bandcamp.com
(Digital Downloads)
GLOW Music Videos/YouTube
channel
M.A.D.E.
Transitions (Glow CD
orders)