The UNLV Performing Arts Center is proud to welcome Ailey II at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 as part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series. This exceptional young dance troupe merges the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and vision of today's most outstanding choreographers. Formed by dance master Alvin Ailey in 1974, the group showcases the most promising students from his junior company.

In recent years, Ailey II's distinctive repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Ulysses Dove, Lar Lubovitch and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison and such innovative choreographers as Robert Battle, Donald Byrd, Shapiro & Smith, Avila/Neeks, and Kevin Wynn.

Under the direction of Sylvia Waters, Ailey II invigorates the American dance scene by offering unique opportunities for artists. The company members, who have each completed advanced programs at The Ailey School, refine their technique while gaining invaluable performing and teaching experience during their tenure with the Company.

Tickets to Ailey II are $40, $55, and $85 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $12.50 each and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available. A $.50 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Information about all of the season's performances can be found on the Performing Arts Center website, located at pac.unlv.edu.

Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada's premier performing arts venue. Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in two distinct series - the Charles Vanda Master Series and New York Stage & Beyond. The Performing Arts Center is proud to present its 2005-2006 30 th Anniversary Season, "Our Greatest Performances." UNLV and KLVX Channel 10 are graciously sponsoring the season.