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Black and white photo of the company performing in District Storyville. The dancers are dressed in elegant attire, with women in gowns and men in suits, striking expressive poses. The group is arranged in a lively formation, capturing a sense of drama and movement.

Repertory

District Storyville

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

COMPANY PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1979

WORLD PREMIERE

92nd Street YM-YWHA, 1962

ASSISTANT TO CHOREOGRAPHER

Leslie Watanabe

MUSIC

Original music by Dorothea Freitag; authentic material by Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Traditional Funeral and Parade Music

DÉCOR & COSTUMES

Normond Maxon

LIGHTING

Chenault Spence

RUN TIME

38 Minutes

District Storyville, by choreographer Donald McKayle, had its first performance in 1962 at the YMHA Kaufmann Auditorium. The ballet depicts New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, where “the music goes on, everywhere.” It poignantly tells the story of Little Lou and his beloved trumpet. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater premiered this work at New York City Center in December 1979 in an entirely new and enhanced production. 

Black and white photo of the company performing in District Storyville. The dancers are dressed in elegant attire, with women in gowns and men in suits, striking expressive poses. The group is arranged in a lively formation, capturing a sense of drama and movement.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Donald McKayle's District Storyville Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution

Black and white photo of Marilyn Banks and Melvin Jones performing in District Storyville. Marilyn wears a silky dress and heels, while Melvin is in a vest and trousers. They are in an intense embrace in front of a large bed with a patterned cover.

Marilyn Banks and Melvin Jones in Donald McKayle's District Storyville Photo by Johan Elbers

A black and white photo of dancer Judith Jamison in mid-performance. She is wearing a long, flowing dress and a headpiece, holding a fabric above her head with both hands. Her expression is intense and focused, and the background is dark, highlighting her figure.

Judith Jamison in Donald McKayle's District Storyville Photo by Lois Greenfield

A black and white photo of dancer Gary DeLoatch in mid-performance. He is wearing a partially open shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark pants. He is striking a dynamic pose with one arm extended upwards and the other out to the side, while standing on one leg. The background is plain and light-colored.

Gary DeLoatch in Donald McKayle's District Storyville Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution