December 11, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet Jan. 16-18, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35; student tickets are $20. This show is part of the 2009 Alabama Dance Festival and the Alys Stephens Center's Jemison Investment Co. Movement & Magic Series. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information. Sponsors are Jemison Investment Co., The Birmingham News, UAB and Viva Health.

Tony-nominated Desmond Richardson, one of today's greatest modern dancers, and Dwight Rhoden, one of dance's most sought after choreographers, combined to form Complexions. Both men gained fame as principal dancers with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Since 1994 Rhoden's choreography has been the lynchpin in the development of the Complexions repertory, which numbers more than 70 ballets. He has been praised for his prolific body of work, visionary style and boundary-breaking sensibility. Under Rhoden's direction, Complexions has been a pivotal force in contemporary dance in the United States and has been a leader in the presentation of cutting-edge dance programming. The company received the coveted New York Times "Critics Choice" Award in 1995.

The performance is in three parts. On the program are "Routines" (2008); "Gone" (2000), featuring the music of Odetta; "Fall" (2008); excerpts from "Set Rise Fall" and "Moody Booty Blues" (2006); "Moonlight," an excerpt from "Frames" (1991); and "Rise" (2008), featuring the music of U2. The company is Natalia Alonso, Edgar Anido, Joo Hwan Cho, Christina Dooling, Patricia Hachey, Gary W. Jeter II, Natiya Kezevadze, Phillip John Orsano, Christie Partelow, Sabra Perry, John Henry Reid, Desmond Richardson, Juan Rodriguez, Hiroko Sakakibara, Wendy White Sasser and Simon Sliva.