“I never met Ailey, but to dance Alvin Ailey's pieces is to know Alvin Ailey. If you dance Revelations once, you know Alvin Ailey” - Dwana Smallwood
Dancer Dwana Smallwood, a member of the renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company is full of grace, structure, and beauty. She is most popularly know for her performance of “Cry”, which was a 1971 piece that Alvin Ailey originally composed for dancer Judith Jamison. "It's about the struggle and triumph of black women/ One hundred years ago, 50 years ago and today...I have to look to all the women in my life to be able to dance this piece."
Wonderful!
I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Smallwood on the PBS special that aired a couple of years ago and was overwhelmed by her beauty and dedication to her art form. To see her risk injury to pursue her love was so moving and served as a great inspiration to me. Last years program cover says it all she truly a living testament to what hard work can do!