African-American Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance.

Founded in 1974, the African American Dance Company shares movement traditions and diverse dance forms of the African diaspora and African American culture. The company’s repertoire includes African dance styles, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and various cultural forms. It is part of the African American Arts Institute at Indiana University.

Article about renowned African-American dancer Katherine Dunham (1909-2006), written by the Library of Congress.