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Parents and adults who came to drop off and support the community’s students ended up being a part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tutorial program held Saturday morning at the Asbury Park High School on Sunset Avenue.

Among them were school district’s Bibi Bennett and Genise Hughes, as well as Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton.

A part of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center [NJPAC] Community Engagement programming brought to the city through a partnership with boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette, the free dance workshop ran from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The world renowned troupe, founded in 1958, is known for their signature dance tributes to African-American cultural heritage. Ailey, an African-American choreographer and activist is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th-century concert dance.

After a couple hours of mastering the dance routines, the age appropriate groups presented their dance routines. The event also featured a panel discussion and participation by Books on the Move giveaway for Grades K through 5.

For more information about the troupe, visit alvinailey.org, and for more about NJPAC’s  community outreach programs, click here.

[Photos courtesy of Bennett, Clayton, and Superintendent Sancha Gray]

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