Led by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, now celebrating her 20th year as artistic director, stars of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the rising young dancers of Ailey II, and gifted students from The Ailey School will perform together on Tuesday, May 4th at 7pm on the world famous Apollo stage, where stars are born and legends are made. 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 the famed DJ Cassidy.
Ailey at the Apollo will honor Ailey Board of Trustees member John Schaefer and his wife Pamela Zilly. The Honorary Chair is actress, producer and director
Tamara Tunie, probably best known for her portrayal of medical examiner Melinda Warner on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit over the past 10 years. Gala co-chairs are: Lynne & Anthony M. Carvette and Janice Savin Williams & Christopher J. Williams. Benefit vice chairs are Judith Byrd-Blaylock, Leslie & Tom Maheras, David E. Monn, and Gabriella E. Morris & Dennis J. Brownlee.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will share highlights from Uptown, company member Matthew Rushing's glittering celebration of the Harlem Renaissance in all its swinging glory, and In/Side, Robert Battle's gripping male solo to
Nina Simone's "Wild is the Wind." The emerging stars of Ailey II and students of The Ailey School will also showcase their talents in performance excerpts before they join with
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the finale of
Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece Revelations.
Afterwards, 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 Cassidy - the most sought-after deejay in the industry. With fans and clients among the biggest stars in the world, DJ Cassidy draws on hip hop, soul, rock, house, reggae, and more, to inspire all people with all music.
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.
The newly redesigned Toyota Avalon joins forces with Ailey as the Official Vehicle Partner on the red carpet of Ailey At The Apollo. An art installation entitled "Expression of Style" will highlight key attributes of the Avalon while paying tribute to Ailey's enduring artistry with large format performance images, iconic Ailey props and archival posters that visually represent Ailey's history. Toyota will also help welcome audiences to Ailey's performances at Brooklyn Academy Of Music from June 10th - 20th, the finale of a 20-city U.S. Tour honoring Judith Jamison on her 20th year as artistic director. For more information visit www.alvinailey.org.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," grew from a now fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Today, led by
Judith Jamison, now celebrating her 20th Anniversary as artistic director, AAADT has performed for an estimated 23 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on 6 continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa, promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. The Ailey organization also includes Ailey II (1974) a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School (1969), one of the most extensive and respected dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs which brings dance into the classrooms, communities and lives of people of all ages; and The Ailey Extension (2005), a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general public that began with the opening of Ailey's permanent home - the nation's largest building dedicated to dance - named The
Joan Weill Center for Dance, located at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit
www.alvinailey.org.
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