Ailey Spirit Gala

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Guests on the dance floor at ... (Read More) Guests on the dance floor at the 2022 Ailey Spirit Gala (Hide)

Artistic Director Robert Battle ... (Read More) Artistic Director Robert Battle and Tremaine Emory at the 2022 Ailey Spirit Gala (Hide)

Featured News Releases

May 10, 2023

The Ailey Spirit Gala Celebrates The Art And Soul Of Dance On May 24 At Jazz At Lincoln Center For First Time Ever

NEW YORK, NY, May 10, 2023 — For the first time, the Ailey organization’s annual Ailey Spirit Gala will be held in the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. The special event celebrates the art and soul of dance with a unique performance featuring a piece d’occasion entitled Chasing the Spirit created by choreographer and former Ailey Company member Hope Boykin, as well as an excerpt of Alvin Ailey’s uplifting Revelations, followed by a festive soirée.

May 24, 2022

Ailey Spirit Gala Benefit At Lincoln Center On Thursday, June 16 Celebrates Robert Battle's 10th Anniversary With One-Night-Only Performance & Party

New York – May 24, 2022 – The centerpiece of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Lincoln Center engagement is the Ailey Spirit Gala on Thursday, June 16. The one-night-only benefit honors Verizon, one of the nation’s leading and largest technology companies, for their generous funding and steadfast support of Ailey’s vital community and education programs, including AileyCamp, a transformative, full-scholarship summer day camp that uses dance as a means to help youth stretch their minds, bodies, and spirits. Verizon’s Vice President of Public Policy and longstanding member of Ailey’s Board of Trustees Anthony A. Lewis will accept the honor during an onstage presentation by Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle. The evening’s Honorary Chair is Grammy® Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actress, singer and producer Cynthia Erivo, most recently seen in Apple TV+’s anthology series Roar.

June 08, 2021

Ailey Spring Gala Virtual Broadcast Celebrates Hope, Promise And The Future On Thursday, June 24 at 7:30pm EDT

New York – June 8, 2021 – The Ailey organization springs into summer with the Ailey Spring Gala virtual broadcast celebrating Hope, Promise and the Future on June 24 at 7:30pm EDT, an exceptional culmination of the Ailey All Access online performance series inspiring millions around the world. Presenting a special homage to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., appearances will include guest of honor Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Congressman James E. Clyburn and Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama along with performances from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and gifted young dancers from The Ailey School.

Featured Press Coverage

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June 23, 2019

The New York Times - Scene City: Greeting The Solstice

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Ailey School with a gala on June 13 at Lincoln Center.

June 11, 2016

The Wall Street Journal - Celebrating Showmen of Several Stripes at City Galas

The trick to a great party often just comes down to having a great showman at its center. Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, Lion Babe, Jessica Williams and Bob Kraft were some of the guests who attended the Alvin Ailey Spirit Gala, which kicked off the company's spring season.

June 16, 2014

The Wall Street Journal - Video: So You Think You Can Dance Ailey's 'Revelations'?

Alvin Ailey's 1960 modern dance masterpiece "Revelations" has been performed in 71 countries, and it reliably brings audiences to their feet, even dancing in the aisles. The combination of modern dance and spirituals creates a sense of uplift so infectious that most people leave the theater either singing the music or trying to dance the steps. Last week, they got a chance to learn those steps for real.