By Coretta Joe
The magic of dance filled the Frank Collymore Hall on Saturday night as the internationally acclaimed Ailey II company brought energy, precision, and soul to the stage for CARIFESTA XV. With two sold-out performances at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., the company proved why it continues to be a driving force in contemporary dance, leaving Barbadian audiences deeply moved.
The evening began with The Calling, a hauntingly beautiful solo that set the tone for what was to come. Clad in a long, flowing white costume that billowed across the stage, the lone dancer embodied grace and serenity, evoking a sense of transcendence. Though minimalist in staging, the performance was filled with emotional depth, inviting the audience to settle into the evening’s journey.
An Ailey II dancer in John 4:20.
Among the highlights that followed was The Hunt, choreographed by Robert Battle. The 13-minute work examined the tension between modern sports and the primal rites of gladiators. Male dancers, costumed in black skirts lined with layers of red, hurled themselves into fierce, athletic choreography. The stage pulsed with energy as they embodied the thrill of pursuit and the power of physical dominance. The reverent audience, otherwise quiet and absorbed throughout the night, was so moved by the raw intensity of the piece that one audience member broke the silence with a triumphant shout of “Yes!”
But it was the second half of the show that delivered one of the evening’s most unforgettable moments. Barbados witnessed the world premiere of Light vs Life, choreographed by Renee McDonald. The piece wrestled with timely questions of identity and connection in the age of social media. Through visceral movement, the dancers explored how digital platforms shape and sometimes distort our existence as human beings. The performance built in intensity until, in its final moments, the dancers erupted into a piercing scream. The rawness of that cry shocked the audience into silence before gasps rippled through the hall. It was a moment of collective reckoning, highlighting how powerfully dance can mirror the realities of modern life.
The evening culminated in Revelations, Alvin Ailey’s iconic masterpiece. First performed in 1960, it has since become the most widely seen modern dance work in the world, celebrated for its powerful blend of African American spirituals, gospel, and blues. With movements that embody both the heaviest grief and the purest joy, Revelations once again brought the audience to its feet in a rousing ovation.
Speaking before the matinee performance, Artistic Director of Ailey II Francesca Harper reflected on the responsibility of carrying forward Alvin Ailey’s vision.
“We carry on Mr Ailey’s legacy—one that is universal and inclusive. My predecessors built Alvin Ailey’s company through his artistry. It’s really important to think about legacy shaping the future.”
Saturday night’s performance was more than just dance; it was a reminder of the enduring ability of art to move, challenge, and inspire. For those fortunate enough to be in the audience, Ailey II’s CARIFESTA XV appearance will be remembered not only for its beauty but also for its truth-telling power, one that reached deep into the soul and lingered long after the final bow.
The post Ailey II captivates Barbados with unforgettable CARIFESTA XV performance appeared first on Barbados Today.
