Russell Simmons Chairs Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Gala

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will celebrate the opening of its annual season at New York City Center on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 with a Gala celebration, hosted by Artistic Director Judith Jamison.  One of the City's largest and most successful fund-raisers, Hip Hop Impresario Russell Simmons is this year's Honorary Chair.  This year's gala will feature two pieces danced to live music.

The Benefit will bring together all the elements that have made past galas so special: the Ailey Company's acclaimed dancers and artistry, spectacular ambiance and celebrity guests. The performance will begin at 7:00pm at City Center, West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) and will be followed by dinner and dancing at 9:00pm in the Metropolitan Ballroom of the Sheraton New York, 811 7th Ave. at 53rd Street. Attire is black tie or festive dress.

The Gala performance will feature Maurice Béjart's innovative reworking of Fokine's traditional Firebird, a Company premiere and the first complete ballet by this legendary European choreographer to be staged by a U.S. dance company.  Also premiering will be Judith Jamison's re-staging of Alvin Ailey's Reflections in D, danced to Duke Ellington's piano solo performed by Eric Reed, and Ailey's timeless Revelations also with live music conducted by Mr. Reed.

Gala Chair Russell Simmons has a long list of impressive achievements in music, fashion, advertising, magazine publishing, television and film. Simin and Herb Allison, Kathryn and Kenneth Chenault, Katherine Farley and, Jerry I. Speyer, Patrica and Philip Laskawy, Joan and Sandy Weill are the Co-Chairs.

Eric Reed, pianist and conductor, spent two years with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, making countless recordings and TV appearances with them. Reed also worked in the bands of Freddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson and continues to perform and record with an assorted multitude of jazz masters. Since 1995, Eric has been touring the world with his own ensembles. His recording Pure Imagination was #1 on the Gavin chart for seven weeks, earning him the 1999 Gavin Artist of the Year award. His next recording, Manhattan Melodies was also #1 on Gavin for several weeks.

Proceeds from the gala will help to ensure the continued growth and vitality of all of Ailey's important programs – from the creation of new works to scholarships for talented young dancers to innovative outreach programs.  

Simin & Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault / American Express, Ernst & Young, Morgan Stanley, Tishman Speyer, Joan & Sandy Weill and The Weill Family Foundation  are the Opening Night gala sponsors.  Major support for Firebird is provided by Movado.

For gala benefit tickets, starting at $400 and up, please call (212) 405-9031. For performance only tickets, starting at $35, call CityTix (212-581-1212), order online (www.citycenter.org) or visit the New York City Center box office.

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