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AileyCamp the Group to Perform at KC Dance Day

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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey is proud to participate in KC Ballet’s KC Dance Day on August 24th, 2019.  AileyCamp the Group will be performing at this FREE event.  Come out to see the performances and bring the family!

12:05 p.m. – AileyCamp – The Group

12:25 p.m. – Kansas City Youth Ballet

12:45 p.m. – Culture House

1:05 p.m. – UMKC Conservatory Dance Ensemble

The 9th annual KC Dance Day will be held at the Bolender Center from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with FREE dance classes and FREE performances, including an open rehearsal by Kansas City Ballet company!

Everyone attending KC Dance Day must register. You will receive a wristband upon entry that will allow you access into all the free offerings.

FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION

Parent/guardians must register for children under 18 years of age. Only one registration per participant/family is needed.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by Two Guys and a Grill. You may purchase a $7 meal ticket in the lobby for your choice of a hamburger, veggie burger, hotdog, or chicken breast plus chips and bottled water. In addition, the Tropical Sno Shaved Ice Truck will be onsite from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (lunch price does not include a snow cone).

All events take place at the TODD BOLENDER CENTER, 500 W. PERSHING, just west of Union Station. get map

Between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. we will offer a complimentary shuttle trolley from the parking at the Union Station Garage to the Bolender Center. There is a charge for parking at Union Station.

At KC Dance Day, you will receive a wristband that will allow you access into all the free offerings. For classes, just wear exercise clothes/shoes and arrive at the Bolender Center 15 minutes before class time to check-in and get your wristband.

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First Friday JULY Edition

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Join us for our FREE First Friday dance classes Friday, July 5 at the KCFAA Studio!  AfroBeat begins at 6 p.m. and HipHop begins at 7 p.m.

Bring your friends, bring the family!

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AileyCamp Final Performances!

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Our 2019 AileyCamp final performances are the perfect opportunity to show support for KCFAA and the students who have worked hard this summer! Join KCFAA as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary and experience the power of AileyCamp – now in its 31st season in Missouri and 19th in Kansas. Come out to see why your support matters.

AileyCamp began in Kansas City and has since been replicated in 10 cities across America. AileyCamp is a testament to Alvin Ailey’s commitment to “deliver dance back to the people”.

The program uses the art of dance to teach young students critical life skills, pro-social skills and healthy lifestyle choices. Each year, our staff members work with more than 200 middle school-age students (10-15), on both sides of the Stateline, to help them create the personal tools needed to improve self-discipline, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Come out to one or both of the final performances and experience the Ailey magic!

Tuesday, July 2

7 p.m.

Wyandotte High School

Wednesday, July 3

7 p.m.

Paseo Academy of the Performing Arts

 

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2019 Summer Dance Final Performance

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Please join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our Summer Dance students! KCFAA provides the 4-week Summer Dance intensive program in partnership with the Kansas City Public Schools for students in grades 9-12. The Summer Dance curriculum focuses on ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop dance technique classes, and yoga classes, in addition to dance repertory classes. Students have been participating in two technique classes daily, learning choreography all in anticipation for the final performance!

Thursday, June 27, 2019
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
 
Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
4747 Flora Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64110
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2019 AileyCamp Open House Topeka

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Join KCFAA as we celebrate our 2019 AileyCamp staff and students in Topeka!  Come out to see why your support matters. AileyCamp began in Kansas City, Missouri 31 years ago and is in its 19th year in Kansas.  AileyCamp has been replicated in 10 cities across America and is a testament to Alvin Ailey’s commitment to  “deliver dance back to the people”.
The program uses the art of dance to teach young students critical life skills, pro-social skills and healthy lifestyle choices.  Each year, our staff members work with more than 200 middle school-age students (10-15), on both sides of the Stateline to help them create the personal tools needed to improve self-discipline, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
We invite you to learn more about AileyCamp on June 19. An RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated.
Wednesday, June 19
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Family and General Public Tours
Topeka Shawnee County Library
Marvin Auditorium 101ABC
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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s Presents Gone Before

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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) is proud to present the premiere of Gone Before, a brand-new dance odyssey about struggle, survival, hope and transformation on March 27 and March 28 at the Folly Theater.

Community groups, organizations, families and individuals are invited to special presentations of Gone Before.  It is a universal migration story that challenges the ideas of borders and freedom of movement. This multimedia, educational and engaging dance theater performance is for individuals of all ages. It features dancers, poets, vocalists, percussionists, a turntablist and cartoonist.

Community Group reservations (made through KCFAA office):

$8.00 per group member

Free: 2 chaperones per organization

$8.00 each additional chaperone

General public (Online purchase):  $10 per ticket

www.kcfaa.org/theater-performance-for-schools

Contact Ada McNeal at (816) 471-6003 x0 or ada@kcfaa.org to schedule your group to attend a Gone Before presentation.

Gone Before is a universal migration story that challenges the ideas of borders and freedom of movement.

** Your school may be eligible to receive a Big Yellow School Bus Grant! 

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First Friday – Free Hip Hop Classes (Heels Optional)

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Join Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s own Elaina Paige at 6 p.m. and/or 7 p.m., Friday, February 1 for a fun hour of hip-hop dance class.  Feeling adventurous?  Bring your friends to Elaina’s “heels” edition at 7 p.m. (heels are optional).

It’s First Friday – KCFAA style!

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Highly-Acclaimed NY Dancers Return to Kansas City

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2019 Ailey Trio public performance

KCFAA Presents Ailey Trio

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) will present Ailey Trio in a free 60-minute public performance at the Gem Theater on Thursday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Ailey Trio, established in 1993, is unique to Kansas City and an important part of KCFAA’s arts education programming. Taking a short break from their rigorous schedule with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, three AAADT dancers bring their talent to KC to introduce Alvin Ailey’s vision and legacy to students, supporters and community members.

“The trio is a great way to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers perform the highly-acclaimed repertory straight from New York,” said KCFAA Chief Artistic Officer Tyrone Aiken.

The Ailey Trio performance allows audience members to experience the elite dance style of AAADT and explore how dance is a connector to culture, physical fitness, sequencing and artistic expression. The program was created by KCFAA for Kansas City and replicated by AAADT to perform across the country.

A KCFAA Members-Only event will take place prior to the public performance. If you are a member, click here to RSVP by January 8, 2019. Members will be able to meet the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers, enjoy a light supper and network with fellow KCFAA members and community leaders!

Not a member? Visit www.kcfaa.org/join to join! Questions about membership? Contact KCFAA Interim CEO Melanie Miller at melanie@kcfaa.org.

MEMBER-ONLY EVENT
Time: 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Date: Thursday, January 10, 2019
Location: Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

FREE Public Performance
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: Thursday, January 10, 2019
Location: Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Meet the artists!

2019 Ailey Trio public performance

Jacquelin Harris (Charlotte, NC) received a silver ARTS award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts and was a Presidential Scholar in the Arts semifinalist. She graduated with honors from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. In 2016, Ms. Harris was named “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. She was a member of Ailey II and joined the Company in 2014.

Kanji Segawa (Kanagawa, Japan) came to the U.S. under the Japanese Government Artist Fellowship to train at The Ailey School. Segawa was a member of Ailey II from 2000-02 and Robert Battle’s Battleworks Dance Company from 2002-10. He worked extensively with choreographer Mark Morris from 2004-11, repeatedly appearing in Mr. Morris’ various productions with Mark Morris Dance Group, including as a principal dancer in John Adams’ Nixon in China at The Metropolitan Opera. In addition, Mr. Segawa assists and works closely with choreographer Jessica Lang since 1999. Mr. Segawa joined the Company in 2011.

Michael Jackson, Jr. (New Orleans, LA) began his dance training at age 14 at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Charles Augins. He became a member of Dance Theatre of Harlem Dancing through Barriers Ensemble in 2005. In 2006, he joined Dallas Black Dance Theatre and in 2008 joined Philadanco, where he also worked as Artistic Director of D3. Mr. Jackson joined the Company in 2011 and rejoined in 2015.

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First Friday with the Hart Twins!

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We are so excited to have Anthony and Antwain Hart join us for First Friday on December 7!  We will be hosting FREE hip hop classes at 6 and 7 p.m. at our studio 1714 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108.

The Hart Twins have been teaching for 10+ years in both the competitive dance and professional dance world. Performing for various productions such as Disney, MTV, 20th century Fox, as well as countless TV shows and commercials. The Hart Twins wanted to shift some of their efforts towards their passion for teaching. Seeing a lack of skillful hip hop training in the competitive dance world, the Hart Twins have designed their very own Hart Hip Hop Academy to successfully mold students into well trained hip hop dancers. 

We hope to see you at our FREE First Friday event!

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KCFAA kicks off Paseo Dance Residencies with Latra Wilson

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UPDATE: Due to weather related travel issues, the Modern Dance Master Class featuring Latra Wilson has been rescheduled for Monday, December 3rd.  Additional details can be found here.

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey is excited to conduct three two-week residencies throughout the 2018/2019 school year.  In partnership with Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) and the Missouri Arts Council, this is the eighth year of providing youth with the opportunity to learn from experienced teaching artists.  Latra Wilson is this year’s first of three teaching artists to teach and choreograph for students in the dance department.  Her program focuses on Jazz dance technique.

The Paseo residency, with support from KCPS and the Missouri Arts Council, is designed to bring professional performing-teaching artists to Paseo Academy.  Artists coming to our programs have a passion for and commitment to urban high school populations. They serve as role models for students by helping them realize their potential and inspiring them to achieve their goals.

Choreographers will choose a Kansas City muse of inspiration such as cultural/historic institutions, landmarks, artists, or works of art for choreography. Students learn vocabulary, elements of movement/choreography while gaining local context. The students will perform the new choreographic work at Paseo Academy’s Kaleidoscope performances on April 25 and 26.

For more information on the Paseo residencies and how to get involved, contact Tyrone Aiken, Chief Artistic Officer.

 

About Latra Wilson:

Wilson began her dance training at The Dance Factory under the tutelage of Pamela Erwin and Thersa Bryce-Cotes. She went on to study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she graduated with a BFA in Dance. Ms. Wilson has had the distinct pleasure to train as a scholarship recipient at The Center Dance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and Tisch Dance Summer Festival. Ms. Wilson has worked and performed with Taylor 2, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Earl Mosely Diversity in Dance, Iluminate Artist of Lights, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s production of “The Kiss” & world premiere of “Champion”, Owen/Cox Dance and Broadway Dance Lab Cycle 2. As a teaching artist Ms. Wilson is currently working with KCFAA, Youth Arts Academy and Alvin Ailey Arts in Education. In addition, Ms. Wilson just signed with McDonald Selznick Associates, also participating in various productions with The Box, Queen of The Night Late Night and Company Stefanie Batten Bland in NYC.

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