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 3rd at 7pm on the world famous Apollo stage, where stars are born and legends are made. 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., esteemed Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dr. Goldman's involvement with the Ailey Organization began more than twenty 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 & Tom Maheras, Celia & Henry McGee, David E. Monn, Gabriella E. Morris & Dennis J. Brownlee, Marc S. Strachan, and Pamela Zilly & 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 - America's most in-demand celebrity deejay. A superstar deejay for the better part of a decade, DJ Ruckus has established an undeniable music style leading him to be personally called upon to deejay private parties by celebrities including Diddy, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Magic Johnson, and Steven Tyler.
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. Benefit tickets, starting at $250, may be purchased by calling (212) 405-9031.
Wine & Spirits generously provided by Diageo
Honorary Chairs Angela Bassett &
Courtney B. Vance
Ailey At The Apollo Spring Gala Benefit
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 at 7:00pm
A spectacular one-night only benefit performance featuring Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Ailey School, followed by a festive reception with dancing (music courtesy of famed DJ Ruckus). Proceeds from the Gala will provide vitally needed scholarships for talented students of The Ailey School as well as Ailey's innovative Arts In Education and Community Programs.
JUDITH JAMISON
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
ROBERT BATTLE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DESIGNATE
EVENT HONOREE
Guido Goldman
HONORARY CHAIRS
Angela Basset & Courtney B. Vance
GALA CO-CHAIRS
Lynne & Anthony M. Carvette
Christopher J. Williams
GALA VICE CHAIRS
Judith Byrd
Leslie & Tom Maheras
Celia & Henry McGee
David E. Monn
Gabriella E. Morris & Dennis J. Brownlee
Marc S. Strachan
Pamela Zilly & John Schaefer
Ticket Price
Benefit tickets start at $250
To purchase tickets, call 212.405.9031
Location:
Apollo Theater
235 W. 125th Street (Between 7th and 8th Aves)
Via Subway: Take A,B,C,D, 2 or 3 to 125th Street
For more information and for tickets, visit www.alvinailey.org or call (212) 405-9031
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," grew from a now-fabled 1958 New York performance that changed American dance. Now led by Judith Jamison, joined by artistic director designate Robert Battle, the Company has performed for an estimated 23 million people in 71 countries on 6 continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa, celebrating the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. The Ailey organization also includes; Ailey II (1974), a second company of young dancers and choreographers; The Ailey School (1969), extensive dance training programs; Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs, bringing dance into classrooms and communities; and The Ailey Extension, dance and fitness classes for the general public at Ailey's home - The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City-the nation's largest building for dance.
For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org.
