Everyone's talking about Ailey!

Chicago's 50th Anniversary Ailey celebration starts tomorrow, and it's the talk of the town. We've already seen record ticket sales - if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, call 800.982.ARTS, visit Ticketmaster.com or come to our box office today!

Some of the dancers stopped by WGN TV this morning for a performance:



Also, click here to read Sid Smith's article from Sunday's Tribune and here for a feature in Chicagoist.

FAMTIX sold out

The buy-one-adult, get-one-child free FAMTIX promotion for the Saturday, April 4 matinee performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has sold out.

Tickets are still available for all performances, but seats are selling fast! Currently, the best seating availability is for the Thursday and Friday performances.

Fireside Chat to feature AAADT's Chris Jackson

The Fireside Chat on Friday, April 3 will feature dance critic and writer Lucia Mauro interviewing Chicago's own Chris Jackson.

Jackson began dancing at The Stairway of the Stars dance studio. In 1998, he started his formal dance training at The Chicago Academy for the Arts High School under the direction of Anna Paskevska and Randy Duncan. Mr. Jackson later went on to pursue training at The Ailey School where he was a recipient of the 2001-2002 Alvin Ailey Fellowship. He was an apprentice with River North Dance Chicago, and was a member of Ailey II. Mr. Jackson joined Ailey in 2004.

Fireside Chats are intimate pre-show discussions for Auditorium subscribers and donors. Hors d'oeuvres and desserts are provided by Trattoria No. 10; wine and soft drinks are also available. The chat will start at 6:00pm on Friday. Please call Beth at 312.431.2357 or email bbullock@auditoriumtheatre.org to rsvp.

NDT - Kylian's Wings of Wax

Nederlands Dans Theater I is making a rare Chicago appearance June 16 and 17. Their program will include Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon's Shoot the Moon, Jiri Kylian's Wings of Wax (above) and Crystale Pite's The Second Person. Tickets are available now - don't miss it!

Ailey Video - "Unfold"

Only 8 days until Ailey opens at the Auditorium! Robert Battle's Unfold is on the program Sunday afternoon.

Tickets are going fast - get yours today! Call 800.982.2787(ARTS), visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or come by our box office at 50 E. Congress Parkway.

Blast From The Past - Bowling at the Auditorium

This is one of our favorite historic photos of the Auditorium!

During World War II, the Auditorium was converted into a servicemen's center, complete with bowling alley on the stage.

Alvin Ailey's Blues Suite

Ailey's Blues Sweet is on the program for the Saturday, April 4 matinee performance. An excerpt is also part of Thursday, April 2's performance of Anniversary Highlights.

Hands Together, Heart to Art Enrollment Continues

Our education department is excited to report that applications for this summer's Hands Together, Heart to Art day camp are coming in daily!

HTHTA is a very special, unique program for children ages 7-14 who have experienced the death of a parent. Click here to learn more about the program.

If you know of a child who could benefit from HTHTA and would like information, please call 312.922.2110 ext 353 or email education@auditoriumtheatre.org.

Ailey Opening Night Party at Russian Pointe Dance Boutique

Join us for an Ailey opening night celebration!
Wednesday, April 1 at 5pm

333 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 222

Celebrate opening night of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with an elegant pre-show reception at Russian Pointe Dance Boutique!

We will be joined by dancers Glenn Allen Simms and Tina Monica Williams.

Reception includes hors d'oeuvres, wine and trolley transportation to the theatre.

Russian Pointe Dance Boutique is an exquisite venue, with a theatrical ambience featuring burgundy velvet curtains and French crystal chandeliers. The Boutique offers the finest in shoes, attire and accessories for dance and fashion, and frequently hosts receptions for the arts. Click here for more information on Russian Pointe.

Admission is $50. Call 312.922.2110 ext 300 to make your reservation, or download an order form here.

College Students: Join us for Club Aud. on April 2

We are thrilled to announce a special show and party package for college students - Club Aud.

Just $20 gets you a ticket to the Thursday, April 2 performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and gets you into the post-party, which features pizza provided by Chi-Town Pizza in Millennium Station, soft drinks and board games. The show starts at 7:30pm and the party is right after, going until 11pm.

TICKETS ARE HOT! MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW.
Call 312.922.2110 ext. 303.

Club Aud. is for college students only. You and your guests will be asked to show a valid college ID.

Garrison Keillor November 9 appearance on sale Monday!

Don't miss Garrison Keillor at the Auditorium on Monday, November 9!

Tickets will go onsale this Monday, March 16 at 10AM.

True to his radio form, Keillor delivers hilarious anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest and the aging process, not to mention "late-life fatherhood." With a wonderful, dry sense of humor, he captivates audiences and delivers with class, charisma, and wisdom.

Phone: 800.982.ARTS (2787)
Online: Ticketmaster
In Person: Auditorium box office, 50 E. Congress Parkway

We Can Get An Elevator - With Your Help!

As anyone who's had a ticket in the third balcony can tell you, the Auditorium does not have an elevator (a Roosevelt University elevator can get you to the 6th floor of the theatre, but for anything in between, it's a lot of stairs!)

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add an elevator that stops at all floors - but we need to raise $250,000 to make it happen! That sounds like a tough task -but, if everyone who visits the Auditorium puts a dollar in the lobby donation box, we will reach our goal in a year!

So next time you visit our Theatre, please consider making a donation, either in our lobby box or in the patron services office. And of course, you can always call us at 312.922.2110 ext 368 to make a donation or find out more!

AAADT "Go In Grace" video

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform the Chicago premier of Company member Hope Boykin's Go In Grace on Wednesday, April 1. The dancers will perform to a score composed and performed LIVE ONSTAGE by Sweet Honey In The Rock!

AAADT Festa Barocca Video

This is one of two Chicago premiers in the upcoming Ailey engagement. Mauro Bigonzetti's Festa Barocca, a new full company work to the music of Handel, will be performed on Friday, April 3 and the Saturday, April 4 evening performance.

Two Special Ailey Discount Opportunities

are extremely excited about the upcoming performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater! The company is bringing its 50th anniversary celebration to Chicago April 1-5, and tickets are selling fast!

If you want to see Sweet Honey In The Rock LIVE ONSTAGE as part of the Wednesday, April 1 performance, get your tickets soon. The Saturday, April 4 matinee is also filling up quickly.

Save 20% when you purchase a 6-seat box!
(not available April 1)
Use promotional code JUDITH
Upper boxes only.
Must purchase entire 6-seat box.

FAMTIX is back!
Buy one adult, get a free child ticket (child under 18)
Saturday, April 4 at 2pm only
Use promotional code FAMTIX
Very limited number of free tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets:
Phone - 800.982.ARTS
Online - Ticketmaster
In person: Box office, 50 E. Congress
Groups (10+): 312.431.2357

Find the Ailey programming info here.