- 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.




