Classic Arts NewsSee Queen Latifah, Cicely Tyson, and More at Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night Gala Queen Latifah and Janelle Monáe served as honorary chairs for the event, held November 29.
By
David Gewirtzman
December 01, 2017
Queen Latifah
Courtesy of Ailey, DCP
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicked off its five-week holiday engagement at New York City Center November 29 with an opening night gala benefit performance and party. Queen Latifah and Janelle Monáe served as honorary chairs for the evening honoring Ailey Board President Debra L. Lee.
The gala raised over $2.4 million in support of the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey’s extensive educational programs for young people.
The “Modern American Songbook” program featured performances set to music by icons Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The performance concluded with Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, performed with live musicians and singers.
Flip through photos of the performance and party below:
0
of
See Queen Latifah, Cicely Tyson, and More at Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night Gala
See Queen Latifah, Cicely Tyson, and More at Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night Gala
Queen Latifah and Janelle Monáe served as honorary chairs for the evening, held November 29.
28 PHOTOS
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s Linda Celeste Sims and Glenn Allen Sims in David Parsons’ Shining Star
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s Linda Celeste Sims and Glenn Allen Sims in David Parsons’ Shining Star
Michael Francis McBride, Strachan's daughters, and Almaz Strachan
Susan Taylor and Cicely Tyson
Courtesy of Ailey, DCP
Bennett Rink and Debra Lee
Hope Boykin and Debra Lee
Robert Battle and Daria L. Wallach
Queen Latifah
Janelle Monáe
Gala Co-Chairs with Queen Latifah, Robert Battle, and Debra Lee
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in George Faison’s Suite Otis
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamsion, Rennie Harris, and Robert Battle’s Love Stories
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamsion, Rennie Harris, and Robert Battle’s Love Stories
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations
Christopher Duggan
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations
Lara Spencer and Rick McVey
Jillian Hervey
Janet Mock
Queen Latifah
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe
Chalvar Monteiro, Kanji Segawa, Fana Tesfagiorgis, and Solomon Dumas
Debra Lee
Robert Battle
Robert Battle with Elaine and Gillian Wynn
Daria L. Wallach, Queen Latifah, Debra Lee, and Robert Battle