UAB Briefs: The Alys to present legendary Alvin Ailey troupe at BJCC
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs.
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email us at jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
Revelatory dance
The famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform four works from its repertoire in the BJCC Concert Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., according to a UAB news release.
The show is presented by the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB, but is being held at the BJCC due to the size of the production.
The troupe will present “The Winter in Lisbon” by Billy Wilson, “Untitled America” by Kyle Abraham, “Ella” by Robert Battle and “Revelations” by Alvin Ailey.
The program is subject to change.
This company, formed by Alvin Ailey in the late 1950s, revolutionized American dance and made an honored place for African-American performers and choreographers.
The works to be presented in Birmingham celebrate jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie and touch on social issues.
Perhaps the highlight will be “Revelations,” which is described as Ailey’s masterpiece and which is said to explore both joy and grief. The piece uses African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues. Since its premiere in 1960, the ballet has been performed continuously around the globe, according to the news release.
Tickets range from $28-$76. To order, call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.
Programming contest
UAB will host a computer programming competition for Alabama high school students in Campbell Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
The top finishers in the High School Programming Contest will be awarded cash prizes.
The HSPC is open to all students from Alabama high schools, including public, private and home schools.
The cost is $20 per student and will increase to $30 after Feb. 10.
Participants can register at the contest website at hspc.cis.uab.edu/#about.
They will also be allowed to register on-site. Campbell Hall is located at 1300 University Blvd.
Helping rural patients
Most of the medical specialists in Alabama practice in the state’s biggest cities. This makes it tough for the many Alabama residents who live in rural areas to get the care they need.
But UAB is working to reduce this disparity.
After receiving $496,000 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Services Grant, the university plans to open 19 new Alabama telehealth locations, according to a UAB news release.
The technology allows patients living in rural areas to see their doctors without making a long drive.
With the new grant, nine hospitals and 10 county departments of the Alabama Department of Public Health will receive telehealth equipment.
“If we can provide specialty care in rural communities, it will help enable community physicians to care for their patients locally,” said Dr. Eric Wallace, medical director of Telehealth at UAB. “If we’re working with rural hospitals, then it helps keep patients there, which helps those hospitals financially as well.”
The program is expected to grow to 50 telehealth sites by the end of 2018.