Virginia Arts Festival Announces  

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  

 April 27-28 at CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts  

Tickets on sale September 25 at 10 am at vafest.org 

NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia Arts Festival and Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts are thrilled to announce the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most beloved and influential dance companies, for performances on April 27 and 28 at 7:30 pm at CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News. These performances are the first to be announced as part of Virginia Arts Festival's 30th Anniversary Season Celebration. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 25 at 10 am at vafest.org, 757-282-2822, or in person at the VAF Box Office (440 Bank Street in Norfolk) and Ferguson Center Box Office (1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News).  

Led by Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, these highly anticipated performances will showcase the passionate spirit and extraordinary artistry that have made Ailey dancers an international sensation. Audiences will experience a dynamic program featuring both new works and cherished repertory favorites that reflect the Company's enduring legacy of innovation, excellence, and cultural expression.  

The inspiring finale of each performance will be Revelations, Alvin Ailey's must-see American masterpiece that has captivated audiences worldwide for more than six decades. Acclaimed for sending hearts soaring and lifting audiences to their feet, Revelations is the most widely seen modern dance work in the world since its premiere in 1960. Set to a moving score of spirituals, gospel songs, and blues, Revelations draws from Ailey's childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas. Through powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music, the work celebrates the rich cultural heritage of African Americans while exploring universal themes of determination, hope, and faith.  

In 1958, Alvin Ailey and a small group of dancers took the stage in New York and forever changed American dance and culture. Today, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater remains one of the world's premier dance companies and an important international ambassador for American culture. Through its artistry, the Company continues to honor Ailey's vision of celebrating the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience while preserving and enriching the legacy of American modern dance.  

"We are delighted to welcome Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater back to Coastal Virginia," said Rob Cross, Perry Artistic Director, Virginia Arts Festival. "Their performances are exhilarating, uplifting, and deeply moving. The Company embodies artistic excellence while creating meaningful connections with audiences of all backgrounds."  

If You Go: 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  
Dates: April 27-28 
Times: 7:30 pm 
Venue: CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News  
Tickets: On sale Friday, September 25, at 10 am 
Purchase: vafest.org, 757-282-2822, Virginia Arts Festival Box Office - 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA. 

Media Resources  
Additional press materials, including artist biographies, b-roll footage, and photography, are available at pressroom.alvinailey.org.  

About Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 
Founded in 1958 by Alvin Ailey, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has grown into one of the most acclaimed and influential dance companies in the world. Through compelling performances and artistic excellence, the Company celebrates the African American experience, American modern dance tradition, and the universal power of the human spirit.

About Virginia Arts Festival  
Virginia Arts Festival celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season in 2027. VAF is one of the nation's leading performing arts festivals, presenting world-class artists and performances across Coastal Virginia. Each season, the Festival brings internationally acclaimed music, dance, theater, and educational programming to audiences throughout the region. For more information, visit vafest.org.

AILEY PRESSROOM:
https://pressroom.alvinailey.org/multimedia/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/images/season-images/2026-27-season-images