AILEY’S OPENING NIGHT GALA BENEFIT PERFORMANCE & PARTY HONORING BNY MELLON
Company:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
AILEY’S OPENING NIGHT GALA BENEFIT PERFORMANCE & PARTY HONORING BNY MELLON
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2nd at 7PM
Tickets for Gala Benefit and Entire Five-Week Season On Sale Now!
(New York) November 10, 2015 – On December 2nd, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off a five-week holiday season with a star-studded gala benefit including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. This year’s gala will honor BNY Mellon for its major support of The Ailey Organization since 2007 and Agnes & Gerald Hassell will accept on the institution’s behalf. Early confirmed celebrity guests include Tituss Burgess, Misty Copeland, Savion Glover, Lance Gross, Tamron Hall, Janet Mock, Joe Morton and Phylicia Rashad.
The evening begins with the World Premiere of Open Door by Ronald K. Brown. In his sixth work for the Company, Brown adds new flavor to his signature style, setting this work to recordings by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Next on the program will be Caught, David Parsons’ signature gravity-defying work in which a male soloist flies through the air in a breathtaking display of athletic stamina. Alvin Ailey’s beloved Revelations will rock the crowd in a rousing finale to live music with singers that include the incomparable Ella Mitchell. Prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy and politics will join Artistic Director Robert Battle and dancers for a dinner-dance in the New York Hilton Midtown’s Grand Ballroom following the gala performance.
The event’s Co-Chairs are Simin Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Debra L. Lee, Doris & Gilbert Meister, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach and Joan & Sandy Weill. Call 212-405-9031 for tickets to the benefit which supports the creation of new works and Ailey’s extensive educational programs, including scholarships for the performing artists of the future.
Tickets for the full season running December 2nd through January 3rd, starting at $25, are now on sale. Visit www.alvinailey.org, www.citycenter.org,call CityTix (212-581-1212), or the New York City Center box office.
For further information, the public may visit www.alvinailey.org.
Pictured: AAADT’s Rachael McLaren. Photo by Andrew Eccles.
