ALVIN AILEY® AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
RETURNS TO SAVANNAH FEBRUARY 13TH
Wednesday, February 13. 8 p.m.

READ FOR TICKET INFORMATION

The organizers of the 19th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF), sponsored by the City of Savannah and Savannah State University, are pleased to announce the return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a special performance on February 13 at the Johnny Mercer Theater, Savannah Civic Center, at 8 p.m. Free, reserved seat tickets for this performance are available, and will be distributed according to the procedures listed below.

This special performance is sponsored by Georgia Power, Gulfstream Aerospace, Target and Carver State Bank. Shirley B. James, chairperson of the Black Heritage Festival Committee, stated, "It is the goal of the title sponsors to ensure that youth in underserved populations and students enrolled in dance studios in the City of Savannah and Chatham County receive priority seating for this event."

Youth organization directors, public school principals and dance studio directors should submit an application for tickets, which will be distributed through a lottery system in order to promote a fair and equitable system. Applications must be returned by January 25, 2008, and may be faxed to 912-351-6358, mailed to the Black Heritage Festival at P. O. Box 40284, Savannah, GA 31404, or electronically submitted to herritage@savstate.edu. Applications are available at HERE and www.savannahcivic.com. To receive an application via mail, fax or e-mail, call the Black Heritage Festival office at 912-351-6320, or visit one of the following locations:

• The Black Heritage Festival Office, 102 Herty Hall, on the campus of Savannah State University, Monday (8 -10 am); Tuesday and Thursday (10 am – 3 pm); Friday (8 am – 1 pm); and Sunday (1 –4 pm) until further notice;
• The Department of Cultural Affairs at 9 West Henry Street (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm); or
• The Savannah Civic Center Box Office (Monday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm).

All groups submitting an application for the lottery must have a representative present during the lottery to be considered for tickets. The lottery will be conducted on Tuesday, January 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center. Tickets will be distributed in lots of 15, 20 and 25 based upon the size of the group as indicated on the application. Groups that receive tickets through the lottery system will have to secure and sign for tickets at the Savannah Civic Center Box Office by closing hours on February 5, 2008. Unclaimed group tickets will be returned to the pool for distribution to the public.

The general public may acquire up to 4 tickets per person at the civic center box office beginning at 10 a.m. on February 6, 2008. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first-served basis until all are  isbursed. "A special block of tickets will be reserved for military families," according to James, "and the sponsors of this performance are proud to provide the opportunity to share this event with many of our families whose loved ones are making the sacrifice to serve our country.” These tickets will be distributed by the appropriate office for Fort Stewart -Hunter Airfield.

All seats for the performance are reserved, assigned seats. However on the day of the performance, any unclaimed seats will be given to waiting patrons 10 minutes prior to curtain call.

The 19th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival – Yesterday’s Story-Today’s Legacy – is scheduled forFebruary 1 – 14, 2008, with pre-festival activities beginning on January 26 and post events through February 29.
SBHF events are free and open to the public.