The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Saturday concert in Birmingham was canceled mid-show, leaving an audience of disappointed fans in its wake.

The show, held at the 2,835-seat BJCC Concert Hall, was presented by UAB’s Alys Stephens Center as part of its 2023-2024 season. The Ailey troupe, a modern dance company renowned for its vibrant artistry, was scheduled to perform three pieces this weekend in Birmingham: “Century,” “Are You In Your Feelings?” and “Revelations,” a signature dance work set to spirituals, gospel music and the blues.

Saturday’s concert, planned for 7 p.m., was problematic from the get-go, starting 40 minutes late at the downtown venue, which is part of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Ticketholders — who didn’t receive printed programs on their way into the theater — saw dancers from the Ailey touring company perform one 20-minute piece, “Century,” choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. The performers finished the dance, took several bows and left the stage.

The stage remained dark for another 30-40 minutes, leaving audience members to wait and wonder what was happening. Finally, a voice could be heard over the concert hall’s PA system, saying the performance was canceled. Temperature problems at the venue were to blame, the announcement said, but no other details were revealed.

As audience members gathered their belongings and left the concert hall, questions and complaints about the cancellation could be heard among the crowd, with some folks saying they’d come to Birmingham from out of state. Others said they were upset for children they had in tow, including young dancers who were excited to see the Ailey troupe perform. Although the crowd made its exit peacefully, a sense of confusion and dismay was evident, as audience members commiserated and wondered if refunds would be issued.

Dismay expressed by concertgoers quickly spread to social media, with comments popping up Saturday night in the Facebook group I Believe in Birmingham, on the Alys Stephens Center’s Facebook and Instagram pages and on a Reddit forum that focuses on Birmingham.

“40 minutes late … excellent short performance and then we all waited 40 minutes with no communication u til we were abruptly dismissed … what in the world?!?!? So many people disappointed,” Rachel Bohstedt Estes said in a comment on I Believe in Birmingham.

“My daughter and I were there and it was terribly disappointing,” Amy Johnson agreed in a Facebook comment. “Lack of programs. Late start. Abrupt dismissal after an extended first intermission. I’ve seen them perform before and it was wonderful! We should be issued full refunds.”

Organizers from the Alys Stephens Center posted statements after 11 p.m. on Saturday via Facebook and Instagram, apologizing for the cancellation and pointing audience members to the BJCC for more information.

“We sincerely apologize for the cancellation of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance this evening presented at The BJCC,” posts from the Stephens Center said. “We understand the disappointment and inconvenience this cancellation may cause. All ticket holders will receive communication from the venue. We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. For questions, please reach out to the BJCC Guest Services Team at [email protected].”

Ticketholders also received an email Saturday night from the BJCC’s box office manager that said:

“The BJCC and The Alys Stephens Center apologize for the cancellation of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance this evening. The decision to cancel the performance was made due to specific temperature requirements mandated for the comfort and safety of the professional dancers, both on stage and in backstage areas.

“While the BJCC’s heating and air conditioning systems were operating normally, we found ourselves unable to meet the show’s very specific temperature criteria, essential for the well-being and optimal performance of the Alvin Ailey dancers.

“We understand the disappointment and inconvenience this cancellation may cause, and we sincerely apologize for any disruption to your plans. All ticket holders will receive automatic refunds processed directly to the original form of payment at the original point of purchase within 8-10 business days.

“We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. If you have any further inquiries or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Guest Services team at [email protected].

“Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events at the BJCC Concert Hall.”

Saturday’s weather was cold and windy in Birmingham, with temperatures dipping into the 30s. The BJCC had other events happening on its campus on Saturday, with the Winter Jam tour stopping at Legacy Arena and the Birmingham Home Show at the North Exhibition Hall.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Alvin Ailey dance organization has yet to make an official statement about the cancellation in Birmingham. However, a post on the dance troupe’s Instagram page includes a comment from one of the dancers who appeared in Birmingham that says:

“I’m Michael Jackson Jr. a proud member of AAADT for the past 12 years. We deeply regret the need to cancel last night’s performance due to extreme cold backstage, prioritizing our dancers’ health and safety. The decision was difficult, and we share in your disappointment. Please know, reports of us sneaking away are untrue. We faced a tough choice to prevent potential injuries. Your expressions of disappointment are heard and deeply felt. We’re exploring ways to address this situation for ticket holders. Your understanding and support are invaluable to us and it’s truly what we need right now. Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time. We send love to every single person who came out and really hope to see you all again soon. Have a great day and Happy Black History Month!!!”

The Ailey troupe is set to perform again in Alabama on Feb. 20-21 at the Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.