Ailey's Five-Week New York City Center Season Kicks Off 11/29

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off a five-week holiday season on Wednesday, November 29 with a star-studded gala benefit, including a performance at New York City Center, and dinner-party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The gala honors Ailey Board President Debra L. Lee (Chairman and Chief Executive Office of BET Networks) for her commitment to the advancement of arts and culture and her dedication to the organization, which has helped steer Ailey to success since she joined the board in 2002. Honorary chairs for the evening are music and film stars Queen Latifah and Janelle Monáe.

Queen Latifah is an actress, singer, songwriter, and producer, and has earned numerous awards, including a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe. Singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe, a six-time Grammy nominee, rose to silver screen fame last year in the Academy Award nominated film Hidden Figures and Best Picture winner Moonlight. Themed "Modern American Songbook," the gala features a special one-night-only program with excerpts of dynamic works set to music by soul icons: George Faison's Suite Otis (Otis Redding); Love Stories by Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, and Rennie Harris (Stevie Wonder); Camille Brown's The Groove to Nobody's Business (Ray Charles); and David Parson's Shining Star (Earth, Wind & Fire). The performance culminates with Alvin Ailey's masterpiece Revelations, performed with live musicians and singers. Following the performance, prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will join Artistic Director Robert Battle and company dancers at the gala for dinner and dancing. Expected guests include Carmen de Lavallade, Jillian "Lion Babe" Hervey, Judith Jamison, Sheinelle Jones, Janet Mock, Deborah Roberts, Robin Roberts, and Michael K. Williams. Proceeds support the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey's educational programs for young people. Click here for the full press release.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1: VICTORIA - WORLD PREMERIE Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano's first work on the Ailey company takes the stage with his world premiere, Victoria. Set to an adaptation of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony by award-winning composer Michael Gordon, the work is a tribute to the triumph of good over evil, underscoring the power of people to join forces in overcoming difficult situations. Victoria, Spanish for "victory," features 10-12 dancers and Mr. Sansano's signature whimsy, theatricality, and physicality. Hailed for its originality and expressiveness, Mr. Sansano's work has appeared on many companies around the world, including Nederlands Dans Theater, Compañía Nacional de Danza, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet Hispánico, and Atlanta Ballet. Performance Dates: Dec. 1, 2 eve, 3 mat, 10 eve, 16 eve, 22, 23 eve, 31 mat

OTHER WEEK 1 HIGHLIGHTS YOUNG NEW YORK SPECIAL EVENTS

On Thursday, November 30 at 7:30pm, the Ailey organization hosts Young New York Night, featuring $35 tickets for every seat in the house for patrons between the ages of 21-30. The performance includes Robert Battle's Ella and Billy Wilson's The Winter in Lisbon that celebrate jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie. Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece Revelations will culminate the performance, introducing may of the young people in attendance to his work for the first time.

On Friday, December 1 at 6pm, Ailey will host "A Career Conversation with Rhonesha Byng and Lilly Workneh" at New York City Center in the Grand Tier Lobby. Young patrons who have purchased tickets to the season are invited to enjoy a pre-performance cocktail and networking reception with two women named on Forbes' 30 Under 30: Rhonesha Byng, CEO of Her Agenda and ranked top 10 in Essence's 50 Black Women Founders to Watch, and Lilly Workneh, senior editor of HuffPost Black Voices. This program is a multi-year audience development project created to inspire young New Yorkers, supported by The Wallace Foundation.

REVELATIONS WITH LIVE MUSIC For one week only, Alvin Ailey's beloved Revelations will be performed with a live, on-stage band and singers. Performance Dates: Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 2 mat and eve FAMILY MATINEE SERIES On Saturday afternoons, bring the whole family to enjoy the performance and stay afterwards for a free Q&A with the acclaimed Ailey dancers in the theater. Performance Dates: Dec. 2 mat, 9 mat, 16 mat, 23 mat, 30 mat

Tickets starting at $29 can be purchased at the New York City Center Box Office, through CityTix at (212) 581-1212 or online at www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org. Discount tickets are available for Ailey Super Fans who purchase tickets for more than one performance, for students with an appropriate ID, and for groups of 10 or more (discounts do not apply to $29 tickets). The Saturday Family Matinee series includes a post-performance Q&A with the Ailey dancers and an increased availability of $29 tickets, but buy early for the best seat selection. For group sales, call 212-405-9082 or e-mail groupsales@alvinailey.org. For further information, visit www.alvinailey.org.