The prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company will perform selected pieces at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami from Feb. 21-24. It is their sixth stop on a 21-city tour.
Daniel Harder, one of the thirty dancers in the touring production, described the show as “a very theatrical and exciting work.”
He said the production “will bring a variety of dances — one of which is choreographed by Garth Fagan, who many will know as the choreographer for ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway.”
Harder performs in a duet entitled “Strange Humors”, choreographed by artistic director and Miami native Robert Bell.
He is especially excited about “Revelations”, a signature piece choreographed by Alvin Ailey.
“[‘Revelations’] is about a spiritual journey, and it deals with having the weight of the world, the weight of your own burdens, holding you down. And then, at the end, there is this sense of overjoy and triumph,” said Harder.
As an experienced dancer, Harder communicates his ideas and emotions through his body and face.
“In the duet ‘Strange Humors’, there are a lot of different emotions and energies that go on through the piece,” he said. “There is an aggressive and very mischievous side to it, and a little bit of humor. And all of this is translated through the dancers’ bodies.”
Harder feels that the show truly connects with the audience.
“There is a quote by Mr. Ailey that a lot of us resonate with: ‘Dance is for everybody. Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people.’”
Although dance can sometimes be difficult to interpret, Harder said the audience can identify with different aspects of the show.
“There is a little bit of something for everyone in our Miami program. There are some very high energy pieces, pieces that deal with spirituality, sensuality and sexuality.”
For more information on the dance company, visit alvinailey.org. For tickets and other details on the Miami tour stop, visit arshtcenter.org or call the box office at 305-949-6722.
