New York, NY, January 12, 2004 -- The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts examines the contributions of two of the major choreographers of the 20th century -- Alvin Ailey and George Balanchine -- in free panel discussions and lectures during its winter 2004 public programs.

Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright celebrates Alvin Ailey and his modern dance company with two panel discussions on Saturday, January 17. At 1 p.m., Carmen de Lavallade, Dudley Williams, and other leading dancers from the company’s history will participate in Alvin Ailey (1931-1989): A Portrait. These artists will shed light on the director/choreographer, who said, “I never wanted a cookie cutter company, I want individuals.”  Then, at 4 p.m., a board member, a lighting designer, a booking agent, and others will discuss The Magic Carpet of Touring.  These participants will give an insider’s look into the intricate workings of a touring company.  They will detail how the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater became one of America’s most successful touring companies and an American cultural ambassador on the world’s stages.  Videotape footage of Alvin Ailey will be shown in the Library’s Training Room.

The Balanchine lecture series, held in conjunction with the Library’s exhibition The Enduring Legacy of George Balanchine, explores different aspects of the artistry of George Balanchine, the great and visionary ballet choreographer whose dances continue to influence and inspire 100 years after his birth and 20 years after his death.  The Saturday, January 24 program will be a lecture by Constance Valis Hill on the all-black Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, for which Balanchine was both choreographer and director.  On Saturday, February 21, Lynn Garafola will lecture on the Paris years. Nancy Reynolds will discuss George Balanchine in the 1940s on Thursday, February 26.  The program of Thursday, March 4 will offer a lecture by Charles M. Joseph about the musical bond between Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky and also a performance of selections from Balanchine’s own musical compositions.

All programs are held in the Bruno Walter Auditorium, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY.  Admission is free and seats are available on a first-come basis. For further information, call 212.642.0142 or e-mail lpaprog@nypl.org.

Saturday, January 17, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright. An afternoon of panel discussions and videotape footage.

    1:00 p.m. -- Alvin Ailey (1931-1989): A Portrait. With Sarita Allen, Carmen de Lavallade, Hector Mercado, Doreen Richardson, and Dudley Williams.  Moderator: Zita Allen.

    4:00 p.m. -- The Magic Carpet of Touring. With Stanley Plesent, Paul Szilard, William Hammond, Calvin Hunt, and Chenault Spence. Moderator: Liz Thompson.
 

Saturday, January 24, 3:00 p.m.
Cabin in the Sky: Georgi Balanchivadze, Vladimir Dukelsky, Boris Aronson, and Katherine Dunham’s Afro-Americana. Lecture by Constance Valis Hill.

Saturday, February 21, 3:00 p.m.
Balanchine in Paris. Lecture by Lynn Garafola.

Thursday, February 26, 6:00 p.m.
Before the New York City Ballet: George Balanchine in the 1940s. Lecture by Nancy Reynolds.

Thursday, March 4, 6:00 p.m.
Poetry in Motion: Stravinsky and Balanchine’s Musical Bond. Lecture by Charles M. Joseph. With a performance of a selection of Balanchine’s short musical compositions.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman.

Contacts: Rima Corben or Herb Scher at 212.704.8600.

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