Ailey II Brings Blackberry Dance Legacy and Emerging Talent to Charleston

By Traci Philliips, BBG

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One of the most influential names in American dance is coming to West Virginia.

Ailey II, the acclaimed second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will perform at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.

The one-night performance will introduce Charleston audiences to some of the country’s most promising early-career dancers while continuing a legacy deeply rooted in Black culture, artistic expression and community.

“Alvin Ailey has such deep roots in Black culture and American culture,” a Clay Center representative told Black By God. “You can look up any established newspaper company in the entire world, and they will say nothing gets better than Alvin Ailey productions.”

“Alvin Ailey has such deep roots in Black culture and American culture.”

Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II was created to help emerging dancers make the transition into professional careers. The company combines the energy of young performers with choreography from both established and rising artists.

“Ailey II is known for that bridge for established artists who are willing to take that next step into their professional careers,” the representative said. “It provides a really great educational component.”

That educational mission will extend beyond the Clay Center stage. Ailey II’s Charleston visit will also include a master class for a limited number of dancers from local dance companies.

Clay Center staff have been working with those companies to fill the few available spaces, giving West Virginia dancers an opportunity to learn directly from artists connected to one of the most recognized dance institutions in the world.

For the Clay Center, bringing Ailey II to Charleston is also about creating access to different types of art and ensuring that more West Virginians can see themselves reflected onstage.

“It’s making sure that we’re having opportunities constantly come through—and opportunities for a variety of aspects,” the representative said. “Contemporary dance is one of those areas, and seeing people who you can see yourself in in different areas and aspects of life.”

The evening’s program is scheduled to include four works: Open Door by Ronald K. Brown and Arcell Cabuag, Third Person Point of View by My’Kal Stromile, Alvin Ailey’s Flight Time and Rena Butler’s In Session. The performance will run approximately one hour and 47 minutes, including two intermissions.

The event offers Charleston audiences a rare opportunity to experience the movement, power and cultural storytelling associated with the Ailey name without leaving West Virginia.

“If you haven’t seen Ailey productions, Google it. Look them up on YouTube, TikTok, Reels—anything like that,” the representative said. “You’re going to see a video, and you’re going to be absolutely obsessed.”

Ailey II will perform Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Clay Center, located at 1 Clay Square in Charleston. Tickets are available at theclaycenter.org, by calling the box office at 304-561-3570 or by visiting the box office in person.

The performance is presented with support from the Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation. The Clay Center’s performing and visual arts programming also receives financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.