Hundreds of people finding their seats before the start of the Alvin Ailey performance at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Tanisha Jackson Executive Director of CFAC and several of its board members receiving a Proclamation from the State at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse, on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Duane Owens among other attendees of the 50th Anniversary event shuffling in to the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Alvin Ailey Company Members bow at the end of final performance of the Revelations series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Alvin Ailey Dancy Company performing Revelations in the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Spencer Everett performing as a part of the Freedom Series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Tanisha Jackson, the executive director of the Community Folk Art Center, during the intermission of the 50th Anniversary event at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Meagan King, Tamia Strickland, Maggy van de Heuvel, and Rachel Yoo from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater performing The Hunt at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Outside of the Syracuse Landmark Theater before the start of the Community Folk Art Center’s 50th Anniversary event in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Alvin Ailey Dance Company performing a Pilgrim of Sorrow from their Revelations series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Maya Finman-Palmer and Christoper Taylor from the Alvin Ailey dance company performing Pilgrim of Sorrow from the Revelations series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Alvin Ailey Dance Company performing a dance from their Freedom Series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Alvin Ailey dance company performing a dance from their Freedom Series at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 26, 2022 (Photo by Anais Mejia) 
Jaryd Farcom from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Takademe at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Oct. 27, 2022 (Anais Mejia)
Hundreds of people shuffled into the Landmark Theater this past Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Community Folk Art Center, with a performance by the Ailey II dance company.
CFAC, an important fixture in the Syracuse community, has championed artists of the African diaspora since it was founded by the late Herbert T. Williams in 1972.
“There aren’t a lot of organizations that get to be 50 years old,” said Iris St. Meran, local television journalist and mistress of ceremonies at the event. “We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of serving the most people, meeting the most needs, and doing the most good through arts and culture.”
To celebrate the history, impact, and significant milestone of the CFAC, Ailey II, a dance company under the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performed a series of original productions.
The company continues to honor the late Alvin Ailey’s legacy through dance that promotes and celebrates the African-American cultural experience.
The ensemble performed for several hours as the organization’s supporters watched and celebrated the presence of the CFAC in the arts community of Syracuse.
Anais Mejia is a junior at Syracuse University double-majoring in magazine, news and online journalism at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and in sociology at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.