Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Return to the Van Wezel, 2/17

Sarasota, FL -- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies will appear at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, February 17 at 7:30pm.

In addition to a performance Alvin Ailey's signature American masterpiece Revelations, this season's company premieres Christopher Wheeldon's dreamlike After the Rain Pas de Deux - praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering - and was an instant hit at New York City Ballet in 2005. Set to music by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, the sensual male-female pas de deux will be revealed in a fresh light as the Ailey dancers make it their own.

Notable ballets from Ailey's recent seasons will also be presented, including Aszure Barton's propulsive work Lift, which is an exhilarating work that celebrates and challenges the cast of 19. Created with Barton's collaborative stylistic approach that is constantly evolving like no other. Ailey's renowned dancers inspired the process, movement and composition, as well as the original percussive score by Curtis Macdonald. Also included is Bill T. Jones' modern dance classic D-Man in the Waters, which embodies the celebration of life and the resiliency of the human spirit that embodies loss, hope and triumph with non-stop movement set to Mendelssohn's Octet for Strings in E-flat Major, Op. 20 (1825).

Tickets are $35-$89 and are available at VanWezel.org, the Box Office, or by calling 941-953-3368.