Everyone who knows me knows that the December holiday season does not begin until I see Alvin Ailey at City Center. Every holiday season must include at least one “Revelations” experience and an opportunity to take a friend to the show who has never experienced the brilliance of Alvin Ailey that has entertained and evolved for decades. I know, I know: December is quite a few months away. However, tickets go on sale on September 8 for the winter season beginning December 2, 2026–January 3, 2027. The tickets range in price, but the best early purchase is the $45 ticket for each show.
Each year, I invite new friends to experience the magic. What I appreciate about Ailey is the mix of classic pieces, as well as the new movements that are added each year. I attend at least two or three nights and always bump into friends from around the city who are giddy with excitement to see either one of their favorite classic pieces or a world premiere of something new.
I love to witness these powerful men and women on stage evoking so much emotion, purely through movement, costumes, lighting, and music. I am always stunned at the amount of emotion that fills my spirit by seeing the grace of so many bodies on stage.
When I am waiting for my holiday Ailey fix, I also try to see the Dance Theater of Harlem (DTH) when I can. Robert Garland is the brilliant mastermind behind DTH and his vision for the company has created yet another dance collective I cannot wait to experience each year. Again, the level of talent is something I can barely wrap my mind around. As I stare at the dancers and feel iconic music in new ways, I am always transformed and so thankful for the way art moves and connects us. Luckily, you can catch Ailey and DTH in various cities across the country.
Last year, I went to Ballet Hispanico for the first time and could not believe I had not previously experienced this brilliant diasporic collection. I could see so much pride in the faces of Latinx audience members as they saw various aspects of their culture embrace the stage. I feel a similar sense of pride when I experience Ailey and DTH each season.
If you are interested in experiencing some of the most talented dancers to grace the stages in this moment, visit www.ailey.org, www.dancetheatreofharlem.org and www.ballethispanico.org. It is my sincere hope that you will take the time to enjoy the elegance and movement of these dancers. The arts must be supported if we want them to continue, especially since arts institutions and organizations led by people of color are under attack. Grab your tickets and I will see you at City Center before you know it.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is a professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
