Dance Theatre of Harlem's 2014 NYC Season Celebrates 45 Years, Now thru 4/27

In celebration of its 45th anniversary, Dance Theatre of Harlem's 2014 New York City season at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall was announced today by executive director Laveen Naidu and artistic director Virginia Johnson. There will be six performances from today, April 23 through April 27.

The season will be highlighted by the New York City premieres of three new works. The first, past-carry-forward choreographed by Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman Davis, considers the legacy of the Great Migration of African Americans from the agrarian South to the industrial North in the early part of the twentieth-century. The second is the acclaimed Dancing On The Front Porch of Heaven, which will be seen for the first time in New York since it was created in 1993 by Ulysses Dove for the Royal Swedish Ballet. Subtitled "Ode to Love and Loss," it was choreographed during a challenging period in Ulysses Dove's life, during which he lost 13 close friends and relatives, including his father. The New York premiere of Pas de Dix From Raymonda, choreographed by Marius Petipa with music by Alexander Glazunov, will be a special tribute to the late Frederic Franklin, who was an artistic advisor to DTH.

There will also be a revival of DTH resident choreographer Robert Garland's New Bach, which premiered in New York City in 1999. Set to Johann Sebastian Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, New Bach pays homage to George Balanchine. Several beloved ballets from last season will be part of the season's repertoire, including Gloria, Return, Contested Space, and Black Swan Pas de Deux.

Tickets are on sale at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, Broadway at 60th Street, Ground Floor, Monday - Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sunday 12PM-6PM OR CenterCharge (212) 721-6500 OR www.jalc.org OR www.dancetheatreofharlem.org.

ABOUT DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM: Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim that uses the art form of classical ballet to change people's lives. Through performances by its internationally acclaimed Company, training in its world-class school, and participation in its multi-faceted arts education program, Dance Theatre of Harlem has made a difference in the world for 45 years.

Inspired by the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to bring new opportunity to the lives of the young people in the Harlem neighborhood in which he grew up, Arthur Mitchell, along with the late Karel Shook, founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969. Mitchell, who had found success as a principal dancer with the renowned New York City Ballet, understood the power of training in a classical art form to bring discipline and focus to a challenged community. Dance Theatre of Harlem's unprecedented success, as a racially diverse company, school and source for arts education was built on creating innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression. Through these varied artistic interactions, its ambassadors have helped to build character and have provided valuable life skills to countless people in New York City, across the country and around the world.

As Dance Theatre of Harlem traverses its fifth decade, it remains committed to the excellence that has sustained it over the years. At the same time, DTH dedicates itself to reaching new audiences with a message of self-reliance, self-expression and individual responsibility.

Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, a founding company member and former prima ballerina, and Executive Director Laveen Naidu, former school director and choreographer, continue Arthur Mitchell's vision to build community, inspire and uplift through the power of art.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is located at 466 West 152nd Street in a landmark district in Harlem. The organization's award-winning building houses four dance studios, administrative offices, a library and archives, gift shop, and a physical therapy facility.

Visit Dance Theatre of Harlem at www.dancetheatreofharlem.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Dance-Theatre-of-Harlem/440167822684214, and on Twitter at @DTHballet.