Ailey Day of Dance Held At The Children's Museum of Manhattan 11/14

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) will host "Ailey Day of Dance" on Saturday, November 14, 2009. "Ailey Day of Dance" is presented by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and will feature workshops led by Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in addition to special performances of Isba, choreographed by Alvin Ailey.

The dance workshops will enable children 5 & older to learn basic exercise, coordination and moving through space from Ailey II dancers. The Ailey II dancers will also perform an excerpt from Isba, which features swirling skirts, swiveling hips and arms outstretched to heaven mimicking a ritualistic celebration of courtship and marriage with African tribal influences.

"CMOM strives to introduce families to the arts by offering workshops and performances by renowned institutions such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater," said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Manhattan. "Children often learn about the arts by participating with their families in performances and workshops. We are glad to host the Ailey Day of Dance at CMOM as part of a year-long initiative to make the public aware of how the arts are critical to a child's growth and development. It is also part of our healthy lifestyles initiative to encourage children and adults to make movement a part of their daily routine."

CMOM is a leader in creating and implementing innovative and engaging programs that reach a wide audience of children and families. The museum presents workshops, exhibitions and performances created by a team of professionals and scholars to provide educational opportunities that help children from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds develop their minds during their most formative years.

Saturday November 14, 2009 Dance Workshops 2 & 3:15pm

Duet Performance: Isba by Alvin Ailey 2:35 & 3:50pm

Where: Children's Museum of Manhattan

212 West 83rd Street

New York, NY 10024