By Walter Rutledge
Nineteen seventy began the golden age of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ailey in his creative apex choreographed Streams (1970) (his first plotless work), Cry (1971) (iconic female solo and Judith Jamison’s breakout role), The Lark Ascending (1972) his historic collaborations with Duke Ellington (Ailey Does Ellington -1974 season in Lincoln Center) and Memoria (1979). In 1972 Dudley Williams premiered Love Songs, a solo choreographed in three sections by Ailey.
The choreography received lukewarm reviews and was categorized as the male counter part of Cry, which had premiered a year earlier. New York Times dance critic Anna Kisslegoff called the work a “technical and dramatic tour-de-force for Mr. Williams”. The literati may not have been initially enthusiastic, but the audience had a different reaction. They showered Williams’ performance with thunderous applause, establishing him as Ailey’s lyric crown prince and Love Songs as his signature role.
Dudley Williams -A Song for You (1986)
Dudley shared with me in a 2010 interview that Judith Jamison introduced him to the Donny Hathaway music and he then shared it with Ailey. One day Ailey called him into the studio and said, “This is for you Chicken”, (Ailey’s pet name for Williams) and began to choreographer the opening movement A Song For You. The work provided Williams, at the peak of his artistic prowess, a vehicle to showcase his impeccable musical phrasing and stage presence.
The opening section, A Song For You, is often presented as a stand-alone solo. Its lyricism, musicality, and soul stirring dramatic commitment continues to inspire audiences. On December 7th Renaldo Maurice performed A Song For You with great sensitivity and a masterful yet quiet command. The program note read: “This performance is dedicated in loving memory to long-time Ailey Company member Dudley Williams (1938–2015)”. It’s hard to believe Dudley has been dancing with the ancestors for over ten years.
Tonight’s performance is a tribute to choreographer and company founder Alvin Ailey and his muse Judith Jamison. Jamison’s A Case of You will be presented along with two of Ailey’s golden age gems, Memoria and Cry along with his signature masterwork Revelations.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: https://ailey.org/performances
In Photo: 1. Ailey and Company (1978 twentieth anniversary season) 2. Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison
Jack Mitchell Photographer
Beastmode Dance Battle League had a main event with two special dancers from different styles of dance Nazzy and Zilkage. Nazzy form and style within the Flexn genre, made individuals pay attention to his signature Get-Low movement. Both individuals gave the crowd a dance battle that would not be soon forgotten. Stay tune for Nazzy versus T Smoov next dance battle. Continue reading
The 2011 New York City Ballet (NYCB) Balanchine Nutcracker performance was filmed for a PBS Live From Lincoln Center broadcast. The televised production featured principal dancers Megan Fairchild as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Joaquin De Luz as her Cavalier, with Adam Hendrickson as Herr Drosselmeier with students from the School of American Ballet, the official school of the NYCB. Continue reading
Here are the Top 10 Dance Auditions of 2025 that blew everyone away on Got Talent stages around the world.From jaw-dropping solo acts to electrifying dance crews, these performances redefine what it means to move with passion, precision, and power. Continue reading
The Dance Federation Africa performing Oil It the 2021 dancehall song by Mr. Killa. Continue reading
Rudolf Nureyev‘s 1968 staging of the Nutcracker for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden fundamentally altered the perception of The Nutcracker. Nureyev discarded the simplistic notion of a pure children’s fantasy, instead turning the entire dream sequence into a complex psycho-sexual exploration of Clara’s burgeoning maturity and her subconscious desire for her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
When Robert Battle discussed Under the Rhythm prior to the Paul Taylor Dance Company New York season the poignant story of his upbringing was inspiring. Dessie Williams, his mother by choice, introduced him to the arts and encouraged his terpsichorean journey. The nonagenarian still plays the piano at the same church little Robert attended. Continue reading
Cypher Town is all about growing Hip-Hop culture worldwide. Based in Budapest, Hungary, we run breaking competitions, a hip-hop dance school, and have hosted an annual hip-hop festival since 2023. We try to bring and connect top talents and high energy to every event, including our hip-hop stage at Sziget Festival. Continue reading
The new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth Avenue
Uganda: Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty)!The new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth AvenueThe new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth Avenue
A dance and wellness classes design for Older Adults taught by Walter Rutledge
204 W 134th St, New York, NY 10030
The new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth AvenueThe new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth AvenueA dance and wellness classes design for Older Adults taught by Walter Rutledge
720 Nereid Ave, Bronx, NY 10466
The new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth AvenueThe new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth AvenueThe new permanent installation foregrounds the creativity of artists across the subcontinent and enduring, dynamic historical traditions. The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries returned in May 2025, in a reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Following a multiyear renovation, the reenvisioned installation reintroduces visitors to the Museum’s collection of sub-Saharan African art through a selection of some 500 works organized to survey major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations from the Middle Ages to the present, and one-fourth of the works are on display at the Museum for the first time.
The Met Fifth Avenue