- published: 25 Nov 2007
- views: 962303
Alvin Ailey (January 5, 1931 - December 1, 1989) was an American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance. His company gained the nickname "Cultural Ambassador to the World" because of its extensive international touring. Ailey's choreographic masterpiece Revelations is believed to be the best known and most often seen modern dance performance. Ailey received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988, just one year before his death.
Ailey was born to his 17-year-old mother, Lula Elizabeth Ailey, in Rogers, Texas. His father abandoned the family when Alvin was only six months old. Like many African Americans living in Texas during the Great Depression, Ailey and his mother moved very often and she had a hard time finding work. Ailey grew up during a time of racial segregation, violence and lynchings against African-Americans. When Ailey was five, his 22-year-old mother was raped by a group of white men, leaving him afraid of whites. Early experiences in the Southern Baptist church and jook joints instilled in him a fierce sense of black pride that would later figure prominently in Ailey's signature works.'
Rennie Harris (born Lorenzo Harris on January 28, 1964) is a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and professor of Hip-hop dance. Harris formed the first and longest running hip-hop dance touring company, Rennie Harris Puremovement in 1992. In 2007, he conceived another touring company, RHAW or Rennie Harris Awe-Inspiring Works.
Harris has received numerous awards for his theatrical Hip-hop dance performances or what he refers to as, "Hip-Hop concert dance". He is known for such works as Rome and Jewels, Facing Mekka, 100 NAKED LOCKS, Heaven, and a host of innovative repertory works, which have broken many stereotypes and expectations of hip-hop dance. After receiving an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts in Hip-Hop from Bates College, Harris' company was chosen as 1 of 4 US companies to serve as cultural ambassadors for President Obama's "Dance Motion USA." In 2012, it toured the Middle East, giving hip hop workshops to Egyptians, Israelis and Palestinians.
Growing up in North Philadelphia, PA, Rennie was first inspired by Don Campbell (dancer)’s group, The Campbell Lockers, after seeing them on the TV show Soul Train. He started dancing socially as a kid but when he was around 12 years old, he started a dance group called Cobra III with his brother and childhood friend, nicknamed “Brainy.” Cobra III entered and won a local church talent show, marking the beginning of Harris’ life commitment to dance.
Julian Rice, he was a bad loser - ooo yes he was, ooo yes he was
After a price, he was a big dealer
He had to cheat, to meet his bills - ooo yes he did, ooo yes he did
Oooo - oh, yeah - he had to cheat !
Julian's wife, was a show stopper - ooo yes she was, ooo yes she was
All of her life, she made blue movies
She had to cheat, to meet her needs - ooo yes she did, ooo yes she did
Oooo - oh, yeah - she had to cheat !
Oh yeah, Julian's wife....my, my, my, my.....Julian's wife
Julian Rice, he went down to the boozer - to spend his roll, oh yes he did
Julian's wife, she walked in - a big teaser !
She had to be there to grab her stud, ooo yes she did
She took him back, and he walked - oh !