Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Orange County

The March 2 opening-night program in Orange County included the 2009 work “Uptown,” by veteran dancer and Los Angeles native son Matthew Rushing, celebrating the cultural ferment of the Harlem Renaissance early in the 20th century. Linda Celeste Sims and the ensemble are seen here in one of its segments. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

March 7, 2014 7:54 AM PT

Clifton Brown performs in the beloved 1960 work “Revelations,” choreographed by company founder Alvin Ailey. The piece concludes each of the seven performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Renee Robinson and Matthew Rushing perform in a segment of “Revelations.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The ensemble executes one of the signature gestures in “Revelations” (1960). (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Linda Celeste Sims and Glenn Allen Sims perform a section of “Revelations.” “We can -- and do -- close with other pieces,” the company’s artistic director, Judith Jamison said in a recent Times story, but added: “Do you know how many complaining letters I get on my desk when we do?” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Renee Robinson in Ronald K. Brown’s “Dancing Spirit,” a 2009 work that celebrates the Ailey’s artistic director, Judith Jamison. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

An ensemble moment in “Uptown.” The Ailey company visits Orange County through March 7. For more information, visit ocpac.org. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)