Revelation Photo by Gert Krautbauer
Ailey II, The Ailey School & Ailey Camp Join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on the Historic Apollo Stage For the First Time Ever in a Gala Benefit for Scholarships and Arts In Education Programs Serving New York Students.
Dance Party Moves to the Signature Sounds of Special Guest DJ Kiss. Event Honoree: Robert Kissane. Honorary Chairs: Kimberly & Tyson Chandler.
For the first time ever, the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be joined by rising stars of Ailey II, gifted young dancers from The Ailey School, and talented students from AileyCamp in a spectacular Ailey At The Apollo performance on Tuesday, May 7th at 7pm. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the Spring Gala Benefit performance will take place on the world famous Apollo Theater stage. A gala party with festive dress, décor and dancing to music by the famed DJ Kiss will follow the one-night-only performance.
The evening will honor Robert Kissane, a member of Ailey’s Board of Trustees, for his leadership, dedication and generosity to the Ailey organization for more than a decade. His expert judgment and strategic guidance were instrumental in creating the successful campaigns that led to the establishment of Ailey’s permanent home – The Joan Weill Center for Dance – and growing Ailey’s endowment to more than $50 million for Ailey’s 50th Anniversary season.
New York Knicks’ Tyson Chandler and wife, Kimberly Chandler, will serve as Honorary Chairs. Since joining the Knicks team in 2011, Tyson has been an active contributor to the New York community both on and off the court. Together, the Chandlers have stood out as one of the NBA’s most philanthropic families; supporting various impactful community initiatives including Hurricane Sandy Relief, UNICEF and Delete Blood Cancer DKMS. Gala co-chairs are Lynne and Anthony M. Carvette, Leslie and Tom Maheras, David E. Monn, and Almaz and Marc Strachan; and vice chairs are Michele and Timothy Barakett, Judith Byrd, Eboni Marshall Turman and Rossie E. Turman III, and Yelberton R. Watkins.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will open the evening with excerpts of Petite Mort; a sensual and breathtaking ballet by renowned European choreographer Jiří Kylián, and Ronald K. Brown’s landmark work, Grace; along with Strange Humors, a thrillingly intense duet by Artistic Director Robert Battle. Ailey II will perform excerpts of Virtues, a high energy ballet with a sophisticated edge choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. Youthful talent from AileyCamps in Washington Heights and Newark will excite the audience with a performance inspired by Rennie Harris’ bold Hip Hop work, Home and students from The Ailey School, ages 6 to 23, will showcase their talents and the breadth of the program’s training in performance excerpts. The future and present stars of Ailey will come together on the Apollo stage for a memorable finale of Alvin Ailey’s timeless masterpiece, Revelations.
Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the impact of their charitable giving firsthand, as gala proceeds will support scholarships for talented young students to attend The Ailey School and Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs. These programs serve more than 100,000 young people annually; including AileyCamp – the innovative, full-scholarship summer program that uses the art of dance as a means to help young people stretch their minds, bodies and spirits.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II and The Ailey School will join guests after the performance at a festive gala party, featuring stunning décor by the “Architect of Style” – party planner, David Monn. Attendees will dine and dance to music by special guest DJ Kiss – “one of the fashion world’s most sought after DJs.” DJ Kiss has spun private parties for some of the biggest celebrities and headlined at the world’s most exclusive clubs. Her diverse client list includes Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, The New York Knicks, Diane von Furstenberg, Billboard, MTV and the NFL.
For more information on benefit tickets starting at $350, call (212) 405-9031 or visit www.alvinailey.org
Wine & Spirits generously provided by Diageo. Toyota Avalon is the Official Vehicle Partner of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
