Ailey II

Ailey presents its dance perspective

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 17, 2008

Nearly 10 years ago, Dominique Rosales’ life was changed after simply picking up a mud-ridden, wrinkled flier off the street advertising for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company.

Four years later, Rosales found herself on a plane from her hometown of Berlin to New York for the first time to become a part of an American legacy. Now the 24-year-old will appear Sunday with the illustrious Ailey II dancers in front of a sold-out crowd at the Capitol Theatre for a provocative showcase of the modern Horton-style dance technique.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre compnay performing
an excerpt from "Revelations" on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

The Alvin Ailey dance company, billed as the “cultural ambassadors to the world,” is in the midst of its 50th anniversary, which runs through May. The company, founded by the legendary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, specializes in bringing the African-American experience to the world through dance and has performed for over 21 million internationally.

Rosales used her life savings to make it to America after being accepted in the dance school four years ago. She was convinced her life and career were dependent on her making it here.

“I saw them once when I was 15, and I knew it was what I wanted to do,” she said. “I saw an excerpt from ‘Revelations,’ it’s one of Alvin Ailey’s masterpieces … wherever it’s performed in the world everyone understands it, even if they don’t understand the culture behind it.”

Rosales was soon handpicked by Sylvia Walters, Ailey II’s artistic director. Among the school’s thousands of students, only 12 (six men and six women) are chosen for what Rosales describes as a “very young and innovative company,” a sort of “junior company of the first,” referring to the 30-member international Ailey touring sensation.

Ailey II takes the stage for a sold-out performance at 7 p.m. Sunday. Call (614) 469-0939 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.