Continuing the legacy of a world famous modern dancer, the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble will bring Ailey’s spirit to the stage this weekend.

As part of the Iowa State Center’s season theme, Destinations, the ensemble represents contemporary American modern dance.

“Ailey was a world famous choreographer,” performing arts programming director Paul Ferrone said. “They [the ensemble] offer an opportunity to look at dance as a performing art and at young dancers at the beginning of their careers.”

Ailey, who died in 1989, started the ensemble as a choreographic workshop and began touring to “pick up on overflow of requests for Ailey appearances by smaller theaters and communities that were undeserved in general by arts programming,” according to a press release.

Currently on tour, the ensemble will be stopping in Ames and combining jazz techniques, ballet lifts and coordinated structure in its performance of three works: “Escapades,” “Marimba” and “Last Montage.”

“It will be interesting to see their interpretation of other choreographers,” Ferrone said. “The ensemble is absolutely a first-class dance company. It’s a great chance for students to see a show of this caliber.”

Before the show, the dancers will be hosting a lecture and demonstration for school-aged children Friday at 11 a.m. in Stephens Auditorium.

The Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble will perform Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium.

Tickets range from $7.50 to $12.50 for ISU students and $15 to $25 general admission.

Tickets are still available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office or through all TicketMaster locations.