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Revelations still moves audiences 50 years after its Atlanta debut

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Revelations still moves audiences 50 years after its Atlanta debut


Photograph by Dario Calmese

When Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Fox Theatre February 11 to 15, the company will close each show with Revelations, as it has done every year since it started performing here in 1976. The ballet, choreographed by Ailey and inspired by his “blood memories” of growing up in the Baptist church in Texas, has become synonymous with the modern dance company’s vivid and emotional work.

Revelations is divided into three sections; pictured above is company member Constance Stamatiou dancing in part two, “Wade in the Water Processional.” Stamatiou explains the making and meaning of Alvin Ailey’s most revered production.

Blood Memories
Revelations has been performed countless times all over the world. It’s been a part of the Olympics opening ceremony; it’s been performed at the White House. I remember seeing a CBS special about Revelations when I was a little girl. This section reflects Ailey’s memories of hearing ‘Wade in the Water’ sung while people were being baptized in a creek in the woods. He wanted the piece to resemble what he saw.”

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Mother of the Church
“We call this part the ‘Umbrella Lady’— I think of her as the mother of the church. Her job is to hold the umbrella to provide shade for the couple who is getting baptized. Everyone is in white for this part; the colors were Ailey’s vision, and then the decor and costumes were originally designed by Ves Harper for the first production of Revelations, in 1960. Your arms are definitely in shape from holding that umbrella!”

Troubling the Water
“The pale-blue background represents the sky, and then you have the two pieces of cloth representing the water. Offstage, dancers are holding the edges of the cloth and shaking the water to make it move. Over the course of the piece, the waters start to rise, and you’ll start to see bigger waves. It’s really quite beautiful.”

Fluid Casting
Revelations is close to a full group piece, but the casting is constantly changing. We have a book—it’s like our Bible—that has the casting assignments for each performance of the multiweek tour. I used to perform a lot as the Wade Girl who is getting baptized, but I moved up to Umbrella Lady after having my kids. I still dance other parts in Revelations, too, and Wade Girl maybe once a year to satisfy my need!”

Honoring a Legacy
“The original dancer in this role was Judith Jamison [the legendary dancer who also served as the company’s second artistic director after Alvin Ailey died]. When I dance in it, I’m definitely trying to channel Ms. Jamison, and Renee Robinson, who is also famous for this role. I’m embodying all the mothers in the church that I would see growing up—my grandma, my aunts. And I’m thinking of the shoulders I stand on, trying to honor Mr. Ailey’s choreography, trying to give gratitude to be a part of this company.”

This article appears in our February 2026 issue.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad

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Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad


An Atlanta man faces a potential life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of terrorizing two young children during his military service abroad.

What we know:

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A federal jury found 39-year-old Adam Schlueter guilty on Friday following a four-day trial. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, from 2009 until 2013 while enlisted in the Army. During this time, prosecutors say he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two victims who were under the age of 10.

Both victims testified during the trial that Schlueter beat and choked them. One victim recalled an incident at age 8 where Schlueter pushed him through a second-story window and dangled him above the ground. Evidence also showed Schlueter threatened victims and witnesses who spoke about his crimes.

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What they’re saying:

“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”

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What’s next:

Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years of imprisonment for each of the aggravated sexual abuse convictions and may be sentenced to life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters.

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The Source: The information in this story was gathered from federal prosecutors with the Northern District of Georgia following the conclusion of a four-day federal trial.

AtlantaMilitaryCrime and Public SafetyNews



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Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves

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Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves


Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.

Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.

Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.

Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.

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Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.

Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.

Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.

Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.

Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.

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Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.

On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.

Up next

Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).

Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).

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Atlanta, GA

Play Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park

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Play Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park


While the world’s eyes are on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a local coalition is making sure Atlanta’s residents aren’t left on the sidelines. Play Fair ATL launched a three-day push for community accountability today with “The People’s Cup,” a vibrant soccer tournament and cultural celebration in Candler Park.



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