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.
This one-night-only program, performed entirely to live music, includes the company premiere of Medhi Walerski’s Blink of an Eye, an intriguing piece exploring the relationship between dance and music with GRAMMY®-winning violinist Melissa White. The evening also features a new production of Judith Jamison’s sensual duet A Case of You, performed to a live rendition of the Joni Mitchell classic sung by five-time GRAMMY® award-winning jazz artist Samara Joy. Following Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations, with its unforgettable score of spirituals, prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will join in the festive dinner-dance at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.
Proceeds from the Gala support the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, including the creation of new works, scholarships for talented students at The Ailey School, and AILEY’s innovative educational programs for children. The event’s co-chairs are Jody & John Arnhold, Emily & Len Blavatnik, Jack Pitts, Eric J. Wallach, Joan & Sandy Weill, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer; vice chairs are Anthony S. Kendall and Anthony A. Lewis. Call 212-405-9029 or visit https://ailey.org/events/opening-night-gala-2025 for tickets.
AILEY is pleased to announce the 2025 Opening Night Gala Honorary Committee, chaired by Ciara and Colman Domingo, and includes Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Michael Ealy, Jennifer Garner, Yvonne Orji, Amy Sherald, Christian Siriano, Anna Deavere Smith, Bryan Stevenson, and Paul Tazewell.
The company’s five-week engagement at City Center will move audiences with world premieres by Maija García, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Matthew Neenan, Jamar Roberts, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Samantha Figgins, and Chalvar Monteiro. Alongside a company premiere by Medhi Walerski and a new production of Judith Jamison’s A Case of You, the season will feature a variety of repertory favorites including Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations, performed to live music during the opening weekend. Tickets for season performances from December 3–January 4 start at $45 (fees included) and are on sale at the New York City Center Box Office, through Customer Care at 212-581-1212, or online at ailey.org or nycitycenter.org.
