Directed by
Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945
Subject of
Ailey, Alvin, American, 1931 - 1989
Jamison, Judith Ann, American, 1943 - 2024
Williams, Mary Lou, American, 1910 - 1981
Williams, Dudley, American, 1938 - 2015
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1974
Medium
polyester film
Dimensions
Duration (Reel 1): 25 Minutes
Length (Film): 900 Feet
Duration (Reel 2): 28 Minutes
Length (Film): 1000 Feet
Caption
This film was a part of the Washington D.C. Public Library's circulating 16mm film collection housed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library. The collection is particularly noted for the wide variety of African American and African diaspora content.
Description
A film with the title Alvin Ailey: Memories and Visions. It consists of two (2) reels of color 16mm polyester film. The film features dance recitals choreographed by Alvin Ailey complimented by voiceover narration by Ailey himself. The performances featured in the film include "Blues Suite,” “The Lark Ascending," "Cry," "Mary Lou's Mass," "A Song for You," "Hidden Rites," and “Revelations."
The first recital features excerpts from Ailey's first dance, "Blues Suite." He walks between the dancers on set as voiceover narration describes the influence of his black roots and blues music on his work. The second piece, a ballet called “The Lark Ascending," Ailey describes as being inspired by an eponymous musical work by Ralph Vaughn Williams. It features excerpts from two performances: a solo and a duet by Sara Yarborough and Clive Thompson. The third performance, "Mary Lou Mass," begins with a conversation between Ailey and jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams. Some of the dancers in this excerpt are dressed in religious garb.
Reel two (2) begins with a female solo performance followed by another solo performance by Dudley Williams. The next performance, "Hidden Rites," Ailey describes as a battle of the sexes. It consists of two duets, the first of which is performed by Judith Jamison and John Parks. The second performance in the piece is performed by Tina Yuan and Clive Thompson. Another piece, "Revelations" is performed by a troop of both male and female dancers wearing white costumes, set to African American spirituals.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
sound films
color films (visual works)
feature films
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Ballet
Dance
Documentary films
Film
Jazz (Music)
Modern dance
Music
Public television
Spirituals (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.99.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd576a962f8-6d53-470f-bd84-713d53afd2d8

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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