Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Kicks Off 2024-25 Season At December 4 Gala

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s 2024-25 season celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison kicks off on Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm with a star-studded Opening Night Gala, including a performance at New York City Center and party at Ziegfeld Ballroom.

The Gala honors Jody Gottfried Arnhold for her steadfast commitment to accessible dance education for all and her invaluable support of AILEY’s mission. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and Editor-at-Large of Oprah Daily, and Phylicia Rashad, two-time Tony Award-winning actress.

The  one-night-only program begins with a special performance of an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s tour-de-force Cry, Judith Jamison’s signature solo which she ignited with her unparalleled grace and power, followed by a beloved dance she originally  commissioned - the 25th anniversary return of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace with a special live performance by Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. and composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Fueled by Duke Ellington's classic Come Sunday, Peven Everett’s hit Gabriel, and the irresistible pulse of Fela Kuti's Afro-Pop, Grace depicts individuals on a journey to the promised land, expanding from a single angel-like figure in white to the fireball intensity of 12 powerful dancers. Revered by The New York Times as an “amazingly explosive image of a spiritual journey,” Grace is a modern masterpiece connecting African and American dance.

Following the inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey’s classic Revelations, with its unforgettable score of spirituals sung live by a soul-stirring choir, prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will join in the festive dinner-dance at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Expected guests include Honey Balenciaga, Karamo Brown, Misty Copeland, Legendary Damon, Tremaine Emory, Carolina Herrara, LaChanze, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Michelle Miller, Indré Rockefeller, Marcus Samuelsson, Anna Deavere Smith, Bevy Smith, Lorraine Toussaint, and Ben Vereen. Proceeds from the Gala support the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, 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 Emily & Len Blavatnik, Jack Pitts, Dr. Danielle Robinson & Reverend Dwayne McClary, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, Joan & Sandy Weill, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer; vice chairs are Anthony S. Kendall and Anthony A. Lewis. Honorary Committee members are John Arnhold, Julia Arnhold & Lane Gerson, Paul Arnhold & Wes Gordon, Agnes Gund, Carolina Herrera, Regina King, Tina Knowles, Bianca Lawson, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Indré Rockefeller.