Ailey's Lincoln Center Engagement Continues Through Father's Day

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2017 Lincoln Center engagement continues with six performances left to enjoy with loved ones through Sunday, June 18.

An array of exciting programs, special events, and free activities await audiences, including in the following highlights:

Return of Clifton Brown

Hailed upon his return yesterday by The New York Times as "a force: a dancer with enormous presence, a strong theatricality and a large-scale, lush physicality," Clifton Brown returns to the Ailey company after leaving in 2011. At Lincoln Center, he'll perform signature roles in Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece Revelations, which culminates each program.

Pride Month - June 2017

Ailey dancers Samuel Lee Roberts and Michael Francis McBride take the Lincoln Center stage together for the first time as an engaged couple in the company premiere of Robert Battle's Mass. After five years together, Samuel proposed to Michael in a surprise flash-mob and 40 of their closest friends and family. Read more about their story in amNew York and DanceMagazine.com.

Today it was announced that the fourth annual "Trailblazer Honors" will pay tribute to founder Alvin Ailey as part of their celebration for leaders at the forefront of LGBTQ equality. Airing on VH1/Logo on Friday, June 23 at 9pm ET, the tribute will feature performances of Mr. Ailey's classic works and remarks by CNN Tonight host Don Lemon, Empire star Jussie Smollett, Artistic Director Robert Battle, and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.

NYC Dance Week - June 15 - 24

Ailey Extension celebrates NYC Dance Week, the annual citywide festival, with 30 FREE dance and fitness classes for new students, many with live accompaniment. Held at The Ailey Studios (405 West 55th Street, at 9th Avenue), nearly all of Ailey Extension's 25 techniques are offered, including Horton (the modern dance technique seen in Alvin Ailey's Revelations), West African, Ballet, Samba, Masala Bhangra, and Afro-Cuban. On Saturday, June 24, Katherine Jimenez's NY Style Mambo is free for all students - new and returning. Katherine will teach the fundamentals of mambo, a flirtatious Cuban dance made up of points, kicks, exaggerated hip movements, and sharp quick steps. Click here to view the complete Ailey Extension NYC Dance Week schedule.

*Classes are free for first-time Ailey Extension students only. Returning students receive a free class with purchase of a 10-class card.

Musical Inspirations Program & Family Matinee - Saturday, June 17 at 2pm

Bring the whole family to enjoy the Musical Inspirations program, which features works inspired by jazz legends and pays tribute to two icons during their centennials - Robert Battle's 2016 Company premiere Ella, set to Ella Fitzgerald's virtuosic scatting in "Airmail Special"; and the 2016 new production of Billy Wilson's The Winter in Lisbon, a rhythmic and colorful celebration of the great Dizzy Gillespie. The company premiere of Mr. Battle's Mass features a score composed by frequent collaborator John Mackey that will be performed live onstage by six percussionists. Stay after the performance for a free Q&A session with the Ailey dancers in the theater.

Ticket to Dance

"Ticket to Dance" welcomes audience members to try their first Ailey Extension class FREE with the presentation of a performance ticket (returning students receive a free class with the purchase of a 10-class card). The offer is valid for 60 days from the performance date. Ailey Extension has fulfilled Alvin Ailey's life?long commitment of bringing dance to everyone by offering "real classes for real people" in 25 different dance and fitness techniques, seven days a week at The Joan Weill Center for Dance.

Performance tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at the David H. Koch Box Office, by phone at 212-496-0600, or online at www.alvinailey.org/lc. Student tickets may be available on the day of the performance for $15 at the box office with a valid student ID (one per student - subject to availability). On Saturday, June 17, bring the whole family to enjoy the matinee and stay afterward for a free Q&A with the Ailey dancers in the theater. Additional discounts for groups of 10 or more are now available by phone 212-405-9082 or e-mail groupsales@alvinailey.org. For further information about Ailey's performances, visit www.alvinailey.org.