Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater’s (AAADT) New York City Center season
celebrating Judith Jamison’s 20th year as artistic director launched
on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 with an Opening Night Gala Benefit. The
one-night-only opening performance at New York City Center was followed
by a Gala Dinner-Dance at the Hilton New York attended by prominent figures
in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy and politics.
The 7:00pm performance at New York City Center began with welcome remarks
by Judith Jamison and Board chair Joan Weill who honored American Express
for its generous support of the Ailey organization. Restaged for this
opening night tribute, HERE…NOW, a Jamison work commissioned for
the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in honor of Florence Griffith-Joyner
was danced to live on-stage music led by legendary musician Wynton
Marsalis.
Ailey’s acclaimed artists then performed Divining, Jamison’s
first ballet created for the Company at the request of Alvin Ailey in
1984. Ailey’s beloved Revelations rocked the crowd in a rousing
finale with live music sung by Ella Mitchell, Jeffery
Lesley, Robert Mack, Marion Moore, M. Roger Holland II and conducted by renowned musical
director Ray Chew.
Afterwards, over 1000 guests arrived for the gala
party at the Hilton New York for dinner and dancing in the Grand Ballroom,
with decor inspired by the timeless grace of the Ailey dancers. The stars
of Ailey kicked off the season in style, making red carpet entrances
in gowns provided by acclaimed fashion designers Badgley
Mischka and
in suits by Sean John. Many of the Ailey women were among the first to
wear gowns from Badgley Mischka’s new line Mark & James. This
year, the Gala has been completely underwritten by Ailey’s Board
of Trustees so that all ticket sales and contributions will go directly
to support Ailey’s educational programs, including: AileyCamp,
a tuition-free innovative summer day camp for inner-city youth in New
York City and nine other cities around the country; Scholarships at the
Ailey School for talented young students who would not otherwise have
access to high-caliber dance training; and Arts In Education programs
in public schools and communities across the U.S. that help young people
explore their creative potential and build self-esteem.
Gala Benefit
co-chairs were Simin & Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth
Chenault, Katherine Farley & Jerry I. Speyer, Agnes & Gerald
Hassell, Gabriella E. Morris & Dennis J. Brownlee, and Joan & Sandy
Weill. Pauletta and Denzel Washington were honorary chairs.
