The universally renowned Ailey II-Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s second company is coming to the Heymann Center next month. 

Building a greater demand for arts in the community is a challenge for many people who live to perform. Upstage’s presentation of Ailey II  is an effort to ensure local access to nationally known professionals.

“For art organizations, what we do is very risky,” said Jackie Lyle, the creative director for Upstage, Inc. An organization that helps local dance artist get on their feet.

The organization is known for bringing the New York atmosphere to Lafayette. This time, it’s the world renown Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation that’s paying a visit. “Everybody knows Revelations. It was created in the 1960s based off of Mr. Ailey’s life,” said Leigha Porter. She’s a dance educator who had the chance to study Ailey’s work, the Horton method, in New York City. She now implements it here at home. 

“It takes a lot of discipline takes a lot of hard work. So, to get the kids in class and to see them really commanding the technique is amazing,” she added. 

Upstage and the Ailey II Project is offering master classes, workshops and activities to help area artist gain more personal experiences. “It’s very easy for people to go out and see what they’re accustomed to, what they’re comfortable with. They’re favorite YouTube video.. they can watch that again and again. But, for a live performance every performance is unique,” said Lyle. 

The inspiration for this project is to help build cultural literacy. “Kids involved in the arts do better in standardized testing. To discipline in the classroom. So it really expands them to figure out who they are as a person,” said Porter. 

The Ailey II Project begins February 11 with lecture demonstration at a Lafayette Public School. 

The project will kick off with an opening reception on Sunday, February 10, when Ailey II arrives. The public performance is February 13th. Tickets are on sale now.