On December 3, 2014 the Alvin Ailey Opening Night Benefit Gala honored Joan Weill upon her retirement as chairman of the Board of Trustees. The evening started with a performance at the New York City Center followed by a dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Last Dance: Celebrating artistry and honoring accomplishments.
Last night's opening gala benefit for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater conjured decidedly mixed feelings. On one hand, the event raised $4.6 million, capping off a $47 million haul for the year. On the other, it was the last gala the organization will see with powerhouse philanthropist Joan Weill as its board chairman: this fall, after twenty years as a trustee, Weill stepped down, having bolstered the dance troupe in ways all but a few artistic foundations can dream.
Nov. 30: The opening night gala of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater included a performance at New York City Center. A candlelight dinner at the Hilton New York in all white, AstroTurf floor covering included, followed.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has signed its first multi-year agreement with City Center, according to officials of the two companies who were scheduled to announce that arrangement on Tuesday.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed at New York City Center since 1971, but the arrangement has not been formalized until now: Both parties will announce Tuesday that the troupe will become the venue's Principal Dance Company and will continue to perform its five-week winter season at City Center for the next 10 years.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater featured the old and the new at its opening night Wednesday. It's signature performance, "Revelations," marked its 50th anniversary and coincided with the premiere of "The Hunt," choreographed by incoming artistic director Robert Battle.
Alvin Ailey died 21 years ago, on Dec. 1, the very date that his namesake company opened its annual season at City Center this year. He would surely have been astounded and delighted to see the by-now ritualized Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opening night: the red carpet, the photographers, the stars, the speeches, the money.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opened its season with a gala at the New York City Center, followed by a dinner for 1,200 guests at the Hilton.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Opening Night Gala 2009 was fun. Honorary Chairs and Honored Guests were Pauletta and Denzel Washington.