Stars of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the rising young dancers of Ailey II, and gifted students from The Ailey School will come together for a spectacular one-night performance on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. on the world famous Apollo stage.
Led by Judith Jamison, in her final year as artistic director and joined by Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle, The Spring Gala Benefit performance at the Apollo Theater, (253 W 125th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues) will be followed by a gala party, with festive dress, décor and dancing to music by deejay to the stars—DJ Ruckus.
Ailey At The Apollo will honor Guido Goldman, PhD., vice chairman of the Board of Trustees for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dr. Goldman’s involvement with the Ailey Organization began more than 20 years ago and he has proven himself to be one of the Ailey Organization’s most steadfast, caring and generous supporters.
The honorary chairs are husband and wife award-winning actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. Bassett is perhaps best known for her intense portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and Vance has appeared in notable films such as “The Hunt For Red October” and “The Preacher’s Wife.”
Gala co-chairs are Lynne & Anthony M. Carvette and Christopher J. Williams. Benefit vice chairs are Judith Byrd, Leslie and Tom Maheras, Celia and Henry McGee, David E. Monn, Gabriella E. Morris and Dennis J. Brownlee, Marc S. Strachan, and Pamela Zilly and John Schaefer.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will share highlights from “Anointed,” former company member Christopher L. Huggins’ tribute to the anointed leaders of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: past, present and future, and “The Evolution of a Secured Feminine,” Camille A. Brown’s witty female solo that explores notions of femininity set to the music of Ella Fitzgerald.
The emerging stars of Ailey II will perform an excerpt from Donald Byrd’s “Shards,” a skillfully crafted work which showcases his eclectic and complex choreography set to the music of Mio Morales, and students of The Ailey School will also showcase their talents in performance excerpts of Scott Rink’s world premiere ballet before they join with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the joyful finale of Alvin Ailey’s timeless masterpiece “Revelations.”
After the performance, guests and the present and future stars of Ailey will dine, mingle and dance the night away in true Ailey style to the sounds of DJ Ruckus.
Gala proceeds will support The Ailey School’s Scholarship Program, for promising young students who would otherwise be unable to pursue professional training, and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, including AileyCamp in Washington Heights, which annually serve more than 100,000 young people.
