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.

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