Monday, February 6, 2012

Giveaway: Tickets to the Fox!

I am so excited to kick off this week -- I have such fun things to share with you! First up is an awesome GIVEAWAY, just for you!

Have you ever heard of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater?

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Rennie Harris Home. Photo by Paul Kolnik
 
This dance group is a historic troupe hailing straight from the hip streets of New York City. Y'all know I may be a Betty, but my blood runs deep with Northern Jersey blood, so I was immediately intrigued, especially since I do love a good musical performance. Here's a brief history:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. The Ailey company has gone on to perform for an estimated 23 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents -- as well as millions more through television broadcasts.
When I heard this historic group was coming here to town to perform at our own historic Fox Theater, I was really excited to be able to check them out!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Kirven James Boyd. Photo by Andrew Eccles
I had the unique opportunity to interview one of the Company members to find out a little more about what makes up this awesome group. Hope Boykin is a three-time recipient of the American Dance Festival’s Young Tuition Scholarship, and she was a student and intern at The Ailey School. Hope joined the Company in 2000, and it looks like she has had the career of a lifetime over there.

Let's learn a little more ... and thanks to Hope for answering my questions!

What did you learn as a student at the Ailey school that you have put into practice since as a member of the Company? 
Well, from the point of view of a dancer, I have learned the great importance of embracing as much technique as I can. As a student in the school, I was exposed to so many different styles and techniques of dance; which allowed for a greater understanding and appreciation for what I would have to embrace as a member of the hardest working repertory company I know. But, if I were to share the most important lesson, I would have to say, having a relationship with the students in the school, and to set a good and true example is the most important lesson. I was treated with truth, love, and respect, and I try to give this back to the students. I was encouraged and motivated and some of the company members would often say, “…keep ‘Hope’ alive…” which made all the difference to me while I studied at the Ailey School. 
What was your favorite performance as both a dancer and an audience member, Ailey or beyond? What made those performances stand out in your memory? 
As an audience member, I recall, seeing a performance while I was a student in the school that I will never forget. Matthew Rushing was already a good friend of mine, and had gotten me a seat for that evening’s performance. Memoria, one of my favorite works of Mr. Ailey’s, was on the program, and I remember, the performance had already begun, as noticed Matthew running out to join me, warm-up clothes on and big hood over his head so he wouldn’t be recognized. I couldn’t imagine what he was doing in the audience. It turned out that one of the dancers performing in Memoria had a sudden injury, and Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director, would be stepping in at the last minute. I never thought I would have the chance to see him perform, and I was great. I’ll never forget it.

As a company member, I remember my first performance. There were so many dancers in the wings showing their support; the love was immeasurable. 
What would you say to a audience member that might be a newcomer to the dance world (cough like me cough)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's
Hope Boykin.
Photo by Andrew Eccles.
This is an easy question. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the best company to come to see if you have never seen dance before. My colleagues are the most proficient, artist/athletes that you will ever see on a stage. I am even amazed when I have the opportunity to watch from the audience, or even on the side of the stage in the wings, at the magic that is made. 
What can they expect at the performance, and what might help them follow along or enjoy the show even more? 
The biggest expectation the audience should have is to be changed in someway. There is nothing that I would want to explain, except to say to be prepared to see the company with fresh eyes, if you are a veteran Ailey-Goer, and for the soon to be veteran Ailey-Goer, expect to be moved.
Have you visited Atlanta before? 
Yes, Atlanta is one of our home stops on tour. There are only few cities that are mandatory stops for me and Atlanta is at the top of my list. 
Do you have downtime while you are on tour to sample the local cuisine and attractions? If so, what will be on your to-do list for Atlanta? 
I have several friends in the Atlanta area so I have most of my free minutes already scheduled with catching up, seeing how their kids have grown, and of course a short visit to Lenox Mall (LOL). 

Hooray, thanks Hope! Hearing her answers made me that much more excited to go and see the show.

Ok, now that you are up close and personal with the group that is the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, let's move on to the premiere event -- a set of tickets to the Company's opening night show at the Fox Theater!!

Details: A pair of tickets to the opening night of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Where: The Fabulous Fox Theater
When: Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 PM

How to Enter: You get one entry per response!
1. Leave a comment telling me who you would bring to the show if you won!
2. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment telling me you did so
3. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you did so

The giveaway will end Friday, February 10 at 10AM.

Good luck everyone! I can't wait to see one of you fabulous readers at the show! 

Photobucket
Disclosure: I was given a pair of complimentary tickets to the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

14 comments:

Carlisle Hensley said...

done and done! Great interview missy girl!

MyStyleVita said...

Fantastic! I love a great show (i like to pretend we live in NYC when I go to the fox!) ha, I'd probably have to bring my BFF who loves the fox!

xoxo Jessica
www.mystylevita.com

Elizabeth @ Southern Color said...

Great interview!! I would take my sorority sister, she loves anything dance related. We did a class at Dance 101 the other week and she left with bruises b/c she's that intense ;-)

ps. I'm following you on Pinterest!

mgentile89 said...

Fabulous interview, and the show looks amazing! I would take my roommate - she and I both love modern dance!

Now following you on Twitter and Pinterest, by the way!

Meghan Callahan said...

I am an Alvin Ailey freak! Saw my first show when I was nine and still have chills! This is a great giveaway Katherine! My little sister and I grew up dancing classical ballet and modern dance so I would most definitely invite her if I had the opportunity to see this outstanding company again!

inzat@yahoo.com said...

If I had the opportunity, I would bring my 11 year old daughter. This is her 2nd year in ballet and I believe that this would boost her confidence.

zenobia kierstedt said...

Loved the interview,I have heard great things about Alvin Ailey dance company.I would take my daughter who is 18 and very creative ,it would be a great experience.

Keyara said...

KJM,

I will be ecstatic, elated and all the more humbled if I am the recipient of Alvin Ailey tix. My husband will be my date to this mesmerizing performance. Thanks for sharing and for allowing this opportunity.

Respectfully,
Keyara

Cherish W. said...

I would love to attend the show with my mother who is a former dancer and a very big fan of Alvin Ailey's work. She's always raised me to have an appreciation for theater and the arts. I've never seen the show but have always heard great things about it and would love to experience The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater for myself.

(Following you on Twitter and sent a request on Pintrest)

MrsHarris2 said...

Given the opportunity to attend, I would take my 68 year old Mother-in-Love. She recently relocated to Atlanta after living her entire life in Pittsburgh, PA. She has never been to an Alvin Ailey performance, or any artistic performance of this nature. As she grows older, me and my husbands goal is to expose her to things that she must see in her lifetime, and the Alvin Ailey dance experience is one that we must cross off her bucket list. The death of her husband years ago, and moving to a new city have left her often times feeling alone. I am a nonprofit professional and we just don't have the money to splurge for expenses of this nature right now, but to be able to take her to experience the breath-taking wonder of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company would be one of my greatest achievements. Please select Mrs. Harris 1 and Mrs. Harris 2 (thats me) for this experience!!!

kathleen said...

this is SO awesome! i'd totally bring my boy to the show--- i actually think he'd really like it...those dancers are magic!

Putting All the Ps in one POD! said...

Keeping my fingers crossed!!!!! I love Alvin Ailey!!! I would take my lit very good friend who loves the arts!!!

Smurphy said...

Great interview! I would love to bring my girlfriend. She is a ballet teacher in NYC and her daughter takes dance @ Ailey, so going to see Ailey has special meaning for me. In lieu of taking her, I would either take my mom or a good friend I've known since college who also loves dance.

Jessica Higgins said...

I'd bring my fabulous friend, Katherine!