Opening Night Galas

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Opening Night Gala On December 3 Kicks Off Alicia Graf Mack’s Inaugural Season As Artistic Director And Honors Board Chairman Daria L. Wallach

NEW YORK — November 13, 2025 — Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will raise the curtain on a new era under Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack with a star-studded Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm, kicking off the company’s five-week holiday season. The event begins with a special performance at New York City Center, followed by a dinner and celebration at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Gala will honor Daria L. Wallach, chair of the AILEY Board of Trustees, for her visionary leadership, meaningful contributions, and invaluable commitment to AILEY and its legacy. Two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo serves as Honorary Chair as well as multi-platinum, GRAMMY®-winning global superstar, acclaimed singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural icon Ciara, who will appear as Honored Guest to introduce inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations with soul-stirring choir.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Opening Night Gala Honors Dance Education Luminary Jody Gottfried Arnhold Wednesday, December 4 At 7pm

NEW YORK — updated November 12, 2024 — Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off its five-week holiday season celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison on Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm with a star-studded Opening Night Gala, including a performance at New York City Center and party at Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Gala honors Jody Gottfried Arnhold for her steadfast commitment to accessible dance education for all and her invaluable support of AILEY’s mission. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are Gayle King, co-host of “CBS Mornings” and Editor-at-Large of Oprah Daily, and Phylicia Rashad, two-time Tony® Award-winning actress.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 65th Anniversary Opening Night Gala Performance and Party Honors Beloved Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison Wednesday, November 29 at 7pm

NEW YORK – Updated November 21, 2023 —On the heels of a successful international tour, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off its 65th anniversary season at New York City Center on November 29 with an Opening Night Gala honoring beloved trailblazer and iconic Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison in her 80th year. The celebration pays tribute to her legendary career as a groundbreaking dancer, choreographer, and visionary leader who has left an indelible mark on Ailey, the greater dance community, and American culture. The evening’s Honorary Chairs are Tony®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated actress, singer, author, and producer Cynthia Erivo and 3x Emmy® Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View” and 2x New York Times best-selling author Sunny Hostin.

Ailey Shares The Gift Of Holiday Revelations With Free Streaming Of Opening Night Gala From December 21 Through January 2

NEW YORK – December 21, 2022 – The Ailey organization is sharing the gift of holiday Revelations with a free streaming of the 2022 Opening Night Gala at New York City Center from today, Wednesday, December 21 through Monday, January 2 on Ailey All Access, YouTube and Facebook. The one-night-only celebration features special appearances from Honorary Chair Tamron Hall, the two-time Emmy-winning TV host, journalist, author and producer, and philanthropist Denise Littlefield Sobel, the Honoree.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Opening Night Gala Performance And Party - Wednesday, November 30 at 7PM

NEW YORK – November 10, 2022 —Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s four-week holiday engagement kicks off on November 30 with a star-studded Opening Night Gala, including a performance at New York City Center and party at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Artistic Director Robert Battle will lead a tribute to Honoree Denise Littlefield Sobel, a true patron of the arts and champion for social equity who is leaving an indelible mark on the dance world. Her dedication and commitment to the Ailey organization has spanned two decades with vital support for essential artistic initiatives like the commissioning of new works and international touring. Honorary Chair for the evening is two-time Emmy®-winning TV host, journalist, author and producer Tamron Hall.

Ailey Shares Holiday Revelations With Free Broadcast Of #ReunitedWeDance Opening Night Gala Benefit Premiering Wednesday, December 22

NEW YORK – December 17, 2021 —The Ailey organization is sharing the gift of Holiday Revelations with a free broadcast of the #ReunitedWeDance Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, December 22 at 10am ET. Viewable via Ailey All Access, YouTube and Facebook through Dec. 28, this first-ever streaming of a one-night-only gala performance builds upon a cornucopia of Ailey All Access online programing that has inspired millions of people in over 121 countries since March 30, 2020.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Opening Night Gala Benefit Performance And Party Honors Philanthropist Elaine Wynn & The Elaine P. Wynn Family and Foundation Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm

NEW YORK – UPDATED December 2, 2019 —Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will launch a five-week holiday season on December 4 with a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The special evening celebrates philanthropist Elaine Wynn and the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation. Wynn’s generous contributions have supported the creation of new works as well as the Elaine Wynn & Family Education Wing, which in 2017 added three floors – featuring four dance studios and two classrooms – to The Joan Weill Center for Dance, New York’s largest building dedicated to dance. Actress and singer Renée Elise Goldsberry will serve as the evening’s Honorary Chair. Goldsberry, a Tony and Grammy Award winner, is best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical Hamilton, and can currently be seen starring in the new critically acclaimed film, Waves.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary Opening Night Gala Benefit Performance And Party - Wednesday, November 28 at 7pm

October 25, 2018 (NEW YORK CITY) – As a centerpiece to its yearlong Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration and a kickoff to its five-week holiday season, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a star-studded gala benefit on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm, complete with a performance for the ages at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are screen icons Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson. Bassett, a Golden Globe Award winner, stars in the hit television series 9-1-1, and was most recently featured in the 2018 blockbusters Black Panther and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Tyson – known for a myriad of roles across television and film, including Roots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and most recently How to Get Away With Murder – has received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on November 18th will make history as the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s “Modern American Songbook” Opening Night Gala Benefit Performance And Party Honors Board President Debra L. Lee - Wednesday, November 29th At 7pm

(New York) November 9, 2017 – On Wednesday, November 29th at 7pm, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s five-week holiday season kicks off with a star-studded gala benefit, including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The Gala honors Ailey Board President Debra L. Lee (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET Networks) for her commitment to the advancement of arts and culture and her dedication to the organization, which has helped steer Ailey to success since she joined the Board in 2002. Honorary Chairs for the evening are music and film stars Queen Latifah and Janelle Monáe.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces Programming for New York City Center Season, November 29 - December 31

NEW YORK – UPDATED October 27, 2017 — Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center’s Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater’s stage from November 29th – December 31st, 2017. Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey’s 32 extraordinary dancers during this annual five-week engagement, which has become a joyous holiday tradition. The repertory features more than two dozen diverse works by some of the world’s preeminent dance-makers, including world premieres by Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts, as well as new productions by Twyla Tharp, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Talley Beatty.

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Showing 1 – 10 of 15 Items