Washington, D.C. Gala Benefit

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns To The Warner Theatre In Washington, DC, January 30-February 8, Launching 2026 U.S. Tour During Inaugural Season Led By Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack

WASHINGTON, DC — December 19, 2025 — Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world’s most popular dance companies, launches its 20-city United States tour in Washington, DC with eleven inspiring performances from January 30 – February 8, 2026, where it will be promoted by Live Nation at the historic Warner Theatre, known for over a century as DC’s monument to entertainment. Audiences will be treated to a variety of world premieres, new works and classics from the Ailey repertory that have inspired and uplifted fans for decades—including the touchstone of inspiration, Revelations, a must-see masterpiece of American dance.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Washington, Dc Gala Benefit Celebrating Inaugural Season Led By Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack

(WASHINGTON, DC) November 6, 2025 – On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host its Washington, DC Gala Benefit, celebrating the inaugural season led by Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. The black-tie benefit is the centerpiece of an expansive 11-performance engagement from January 30-February 8, promoted by Live Nation, and launches a coast-to-coast US tour. Following a 7:00pm performance by Ailey’s extraordinary dancers at the historic Warner Theatre, known for over a century as DC’s monument to entertainment, prominent figures in entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will gather for a soirée at Columbia Square Atrium.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 25th Anniversary Washington, DC Gala Benefit Returns To The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts

(WASHINGTON, DC) January 17, 2025 – On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host its 25th annual Washington, D.C. Gala Benefit during the week-long engagement at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (February 4 – 9) that is part of a coast-to-coast U.S. Tour celebrating Legacy in Motion and the life of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison (1943 – 2024). A highlight of the cultural calendar and Black History Month, the 7:30pm performance on the Opera House Stage features Ailey’s extraordinary dancers in season world premieres of Matthew Rushing’s Sacred Songs and Lar Lubovitch’s Many Angels, as well as a special excerpt of Alvin Ailey’s Cry, the tour de-force solo made famous by Judith Jamison, and the must-see masterpiece Revelations. Afterwards, in the Nation’s Gallery, prominent figures in entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will gather for dinner and dancing.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Washington, D.C. Gala Benefit Returns To The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts On Wednesday, February 8, 2023

(Washington, D.C.) August 18, 2022 – On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 23rd Washington, D.C. Gala Benefit celebrates the renowned Company’s week-long engagement – February 7-13, 2023 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during a coast-to-coast North American tour. Following the 7pm performance on the Opera House Stage – culminating with Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations – Artistic Director Robert Battle will join prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics for dinner and dancing at the Kennedy Center for the first time since 2020.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 21st Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala To Benefit Ailey's Area Programs On Tuesday, February 4 At The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts

(Washington, D.C.) January 21, 2020 – On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 21st Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit will launch the renowned Company’s week-long engagement at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a 21-city United States tour. Following the 7pm opening program on the Opera House Stage – featuring Jamar Roberts’ profound Ode and Alvin Ailey’s acclaimed Revelations – Artistic Director Robert Battle will join prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics for dinner and dancing on the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces 21st Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit At The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts - Tuesday, February 4

(Washington, D.C.) Updated November 1 2019 – On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 21st Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit will launch the renowned Company’s week-long engagement at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a 21-city United States tour. Following the 7pm opening program on the Opera House Stage – culminating with Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations – Artistic Director Robert Battle will join prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics for dinner and dancing on the Terrace Level.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Celebrates Six Decades During 20th Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit At The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts - Tuesday, February 5

(Washington, D.C.) January 15, 2019 – On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 20th Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit kicks off the opening of the renowned Company’s engagement at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Following the 7pm opening program on the Opera House Stage – featuring Rennie Harris’ powerful Lazarus and Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations – Artistic Director Robert Battle will lead dinner and dancing on the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center in celebration of Ailey’s 60th Anniversary.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Annual Washington D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit At Kennedy Center For Performing Arts - February 6

(Washington, D.C.) January 25, 2018 – On Tuesday, February 6, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit kicks off the opening of its week-long engagement at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After the 7pm opening program on the Opera House stage – featuring performances of a D.C. premiere, new production, and Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece Revelations – Artistic Director Robert Battle and Ailey’s renowned dancers will join guests for dinner and dancing on the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 18th Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit At John F. Kennedy Center For Performing Arts - Tuesday, February 7th

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 18th Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit At John F. Kennedy Center For Performing Arts - Tuesday, February 7th

On Tuesday, February 7th, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 18th Annual Washington, D.C. Opening Night Gala Benefit will celebrate the opening of its yearly week-long engagement at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After the 7pm opening program at the Opera House featuring performances celebrating the birth centennials of jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie and Alvin Ailey’s always inspiring masterpiece Revelations, Artistic Director Robert Battle and Ailey’s renowned dancers will join guests for supper and dancing on the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center.