On December 4, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2024-25 season celebrating the life and legacy of beloved Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala complete with a moving performance and festive party.
The Gala honored luminary Jody Gottfried Arnhold for her steadfast commitment to accessible dance education for all and her invaluable support of AILEY’s mission. Honorary Chairs for the evening were 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 began with an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s Cry to pay tribute to Judith Jamison, who originated the iconic role and ignited the ballet with her unparalleled grace and power; followed by a 25th anniversary staging of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace— a piece originally commissioned by Ms. Jamison during her time as Artistic Director – featuring live vocals from Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. and composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.
“… profound impact on … education and outreach programs …”
The performance culminated with the inspiring finale of Mr. Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations featuring an unforgettable score of spirituals sung live by a chior with soul. During opening remarks, AILEY Board Chair Daria Wallach announced that in celebration of Judith Jamison’s profound impact on the organization’s signature education and outreach programs, an endowment fund has been initiated providing scholarships in Ms. Jamison’s name in perpetuity.
Afterwards the festivities continued at the iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom where 600 guests from the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics gathered for dinner and dancing with live music by premier band Élan Artists.
Special guests in attendance included Honey Balenciaga, Misty Copeland, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, Legendary Damon, Karon Davis, Carolina Herrera, Ty Hunter, Michelle Miller, LaChanze, Bianca Lawson, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Harlem‘s Marcus Samuelsson and wife Maya Haile Samuelsson, Anna Deavere Smith, Ben Vereen, Wallette Watson and more.
Red Carpet
The gala co-chairs were 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. Over $2.2 million was raised in support of the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey’s education programs for children.
RELATED: Click here to see more Harlem World Magazine “Red Carpet” photos.
The five-week holiday engagement continues with inspiring performances of acclaimed works and new pieces from a variety of choreographers for whom Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison paved the way.
Audiences will be treated to the world premieres of Jamar Roberts’ Al-Andalus Blues, Hope Boykin’s Finding Free, Lar Lubovitch’s Many Angels, and Matthew Rushing’s Sacred Songs as well as a new production of Elisa Monte’s Treading; and returning favorites including Ailey’s must-see Revelations.
Performances at New York City Center culminate on Sunday, January 5 with a special program celebrating what would have been Alvin Ailey’s 94th birthday.
Following performances at New York City Center, the Company will continue to dazzle audiences from coast-to-coast on a National Tour visiting over 20 cities from January – May 2025.
For information on how to experience the magic of AILEY, please visit ailey.org. to review their schedule.
Photo credit: 1) Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Maya Haile Samuelsson and Marcus Samuelsson 2) Misty+Copeland. 3) Michelle Miller. 4) Phalisha Rashad.5) Wallette Watson. 6) Tarell Alvin McCraney. 7) Alvin Ailey. 8) Jody Gottfried Arnhold and AILEY Executive Director Bennett Rink. 9) Hannah Alissa Richardson. 10) Christopher Wilson. 11) Arthur J. Mirante and Elizabeth Mirante. 12) Daria Wallach and Eric J. Wallach. 13) Francesca Harper. 14) Alicia Graf Mack. 14) Damon. 15) Laurie Cumbo.16) LaChanze. 17) Karon Davis and Ben Vereen.18) Honey Balenciaga. 19) Elaine and Gillian Wynn. 20) Cécile McLorin Salvant. 21) Bianca Lawson. 22) Lisa Johnson-Willingham. 23) Oti Roberts and Remi. 24) Gayle King. 25) Marcus Samuelsson, and Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Maya Haile Samuelsson and Marcus Samuelsson.
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