Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey is born

Jan 5, 1931

When Ailey was 5 his mom raped by a group of white men leaving him afraid of whites

Mar 9, 1936

Ailey and his mom move to Los Angeles

Mar 9, 1942

He was invited to New York to dance in House of Flowers by Truman Capote

Mar 9, 1945

In 1945, Ailey and his friend – Carmen De Lavallade – were invited to New York to dance in the Broadway show, House of Flowers by Truman Capote

Ailey was introduced to the Hollywood studio of Lester Horton

Mar 9, 1949

Ailey was introduced to the Hollywood studio of Lester Horton by his school friend Carmen De Lavallade.

Ailey began choreographing

Mar 9, 1953

Despite his youth and lack of experience (Ailey was only twenty-two and had choreographed only one dance in a workshop) he began choreographing, directing scene and costume designs and running rehearsals

Ailey became the artistic director of Lester Horton's studios

May 9, 1953

Ailey appeared in the Broadway show Jamaica

Mar 9, 1957

Ailey formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

Mar 9, 1958

Ailey created his signature work, Revelations

Mar 9, 1960

US State Department sponsored the Alvin Ailey Dance Companys first overseas tour

Mar 9, 1962

Ailey was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP

Mar 9, 1977

Alvin Dies of AIDS

Dec 1, 1989

Ailey was inducted into the National Museum of Dance's Mr & Mrs.

Mar 9, 1992