Famous U.S. dance troupe comes to MSU early next month

Contact: Sammy McDavid

Ailey II, a part of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will perform at Mississippi State Nov. 3 as part of the 2017-18 Lyceum Series. (Submitted photo)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Ailey II, the high-flying dance ensemble, is next up on Mississippi State’s 2017-18 Lyceum Series calendar.

The Nov. 3 performance begins at 7 p.m. in Bettersworth Auditorium of historic Lee Hall.

General admission tickets are $25 each; $20 for university employees and senior citizens; $10 for children. Purchases may be made online at events.msstate.edu.

Ailey II is a subset of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded four decades ago in New York by the noted choreographer whose name it carries.

Now led by Troy Powell, Ailey II continues to feature the nation’s best young talents. Its distinctive style includes turning, bending and jumping across large distances; contracted muscles that create forceful, angular lines; expressive hand movements; and African American cultural influences.

Ailey (1931-89) was a Texas native. According to one account, his particular techniques evolved from memories of early life during the Great Depression and close observations of human movement. The 21st century company continues his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides artistic entertainment, training and community programs for all people. For more, see www.alvinailey.org/about/ailey-ii.

For additional information on this or remaining Lyceum events in the 2017-18 series, visit www.lyceum.msstate.edu or telephone 662-325-2930.

MSU is the state’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - 6:32 am