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A large group of dancers on a darkly lit stage sitting in chairs with arms curved upward

Repertory

Sacred Songs

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 2024

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER

Alexandria Johnson

CREATIVE ASSOCIATE AND MUSIC

Du’Bois A’Keen

COSTUME DESIGN

Dante Baylor

LIGHTING DESIGN

Andre A.Vazquez

SCENIC DESIGN

Matthew Rushing and Joseph Anthony Gaito

RUN TIME

40 minutes

In Sacred Songs, Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing collaborated with composer and creative associate Du’Bois A’Keen to resurrect and reimagine a collection of spirituals from the original 1960 version of Alvin Ailey’s seminal Revelations that were later omitted. Fusing jazz, African drums, gospel, and hip hop into an unforgettable sonic experience, A’Keen’s score for Sacred Songs resonates with today's world and paves the way for the future.   

Rushing’s choreography responds to both the music and the legacy of Mr. Ailey’s Revelations evoking an ancestral spirituality while reflecting the dance of today. The work is an offering to our present need for lamentation, faith, and joy. 

Dancers in a clump with their arms extended upward

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs Photo by Paul Kolnik

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's 'Sacred Songs' perform in flowing costumes, lifting one dancer in a striking pose.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs Photo by Paul Kolnik

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's 'Sacred Songs' illuminated by hanging lights against a dark backdrop.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs Photo by Paul Kolnik

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's 'Sacred Songs' illuminated by hanging lights against a dark backdrop with a dancer in center pointing outwards.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs Photo by Paul Kolnik

A central dancer is lifted high by two others, arms outstretched in the shape of a cross, while the surrounding performers mirror the movement with raised arms in flowing garments.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs Photo by Danica Paulos

Music

Sacred Songs Suite, by composer, vocalist, and musical director Du’Bois A’Keen, is an album that brings together and reimagines the sounds of jazz, western African drums, gospel, hip hop, calypso, and more to call on the past, engage our present, and invite the listener into a magical, hopeful, and musical future. This album is an expansion of A’Keen’s work as composer and creative associate for Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing's Sacred Songs. 

The album and individual songs are now available to purchase digitally everywhere and are also available on all streaming platforms for free. Listen to the playlist now.

See it Live

Music Credits

“Génesis”, “Glory Glory” (“Weeping Mary”), “Wonder Why” (“Wonder Where”), “Passage Song” (“Pilgrim Song”), “By The Waters…” (“By The Waters of Babylon”), “Troubles Troubling” (“Troubles of This World”), “My Precious Lord” (“Precious Lord”), “Round & Round” (“Round About the Mountain”), “When the Stars Begin to Fall…”/”Elijah Riff” (“My Lord What a Morning”/ “Elijah Rock”), and “SELAH” performed by Du’Bois A’Keen and musicians.

"I Feel Like Going On" composed by Shonta Levette Graham and performed by Adoration N Prayze. Courtesy of Truth Ministries.

Funders

The creation of Sacred Songs is supported by The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey - Sara & Bill Morgan New Works Endowment Fund, Tracy Elise Poole, Red Moose Charitable Trust, The Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn & Nicolas Rohatyn New Works Endowment Fund, and Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach.

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