Birmingham’s Alvin Ailey Dance Show Gets Unexpected Curtains: BJCC Investigates Low Temperature Issues
BIRMINGHAM – An unexpected drop in temperature led to the cancellation of a widely anticipated dance event. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s performance set to go on stage at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) was called off on February 17. After a long intermission of more than 30 minutes, the disheartening announcement echoed through the concert hall’s intercom system.
In a Facebook post published post-cancellation, the dance company expressed sympathy for their disappointed fans. They confirmed that the abrupt end to the show in the first act was caused by unbearably cold temperatures in the Concert Hall. All efforts to raise the temperature proved futile, leading to delays. They highlighted that a safe temperature is vital for the dancers, which unfortunately could not be achieved that evening. To ameliorate the situation, automatic refunds will be provided to all ticket holders from the venue, which will be processed through the original payment method within a span of 8-10 business days. Reach out to BJCC Guest Services at [email protected] for more details.
A 72-Degree Requirement Nickel-And-Dimes The Show
Tad Snider, Executive Director at BJCC, shared that the hall temperature varied between 68 and 70 degrees that night. The dancers belong to the American Guild of Artist Union, which necessitates a temperature of 72 degrees to safeguard the dancers from potential injuries. While Snider and his team are accustomed to maintaining the building’s temperature, an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the sudden drop during the night of the event.
“We sincerely apologize and own what happened Saturday night. It should not have happened,” Snider stated firmly. His sentiments echoed the confusion and disappointment felt by the event attendees, who voiced concerns over the lack of communication during Saturday’s sudden cancellation.
Re-evaluating the Communication Mechanisms at BJCC
Clearly hit by the unfortunate turn of events, the BJCC is now re-evaluating its policies to enhance communication during such incidents. The current policy dictates that the duty of making an announcement lies with the representatives of the show. However, Snider acknowledges the need to revamp this, expressing concerns over insufficient audience information regarding the delay and eventual cancellation of the show.
Those affected by the cancellation will receive refunds from the BJCC. Purchases made via Ticket Master will be refunded automatically within 14-21 business days. For tickets purchased directly through the box office, manual processing of the refunds is currently in progress. In case the purchases were made through a third party, ticket buyers are advised to reach out to the respective point of purchase for refunds. Concerns and queries can be directed to [email protected].
The BJCC calendar has more exciting events in the queue, with the Alabama Ballet set to perform Giselle from February 23-25.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
