Photo source: Alvin Ailey (@alvinailey) via Instagram
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated the start of their five-week holiday season with a night of jaw-dropping dance performances and plenty of celebrities. The Dec. 2 gala was held at the New York City Center, with the party happening at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom.
Actor Chadwick Boseman was the honorary chair. Boseman’s star has steadily been on the rise, as he pulled off amazing performances in the films 42 and Get on Up. Now the world is anticipating his role as Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War, scheduled to be released in 2016, and Black Panther, scheduled to be released in 2018.
The night of elegant dance works began with the world premier of “Open Door” by Ronald K. Brown, which was set to the sounds of Afro-Latin jazz. Next up was “Caught” by David Parsons, which included a male soloist gliding through the air. The finale was saved for Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations,” a crowd favorite, with live singers such as Ella Mitchell.
Celebrities who graced the red carpet included Kelly Rowland, Brandy, Judith Jamison, Janet Mock, Joe Morton, Arturo O’Farrill, Debra Martin Chase, Carmen de Lavallade, Ricki Lander, and First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray. Also in attendance were the event’s co-chairs: Simin Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Debra L. Lee, Doris & Gilbert Meister, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach and Joan & Sandy Weill.
BNY Mellon was honored for its tremendous support of The Ailey Organization.
View red carpet photos from the gala below.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Arturo O’Farrill attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Chadwick Boseman attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Chadwick Boseman attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle and Judith Jamison attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Debra Lee attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Debra Lee attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Actor Joe Morton attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Actor Joe Morton attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Actor Joe Morton attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Bevy Smith attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Bevy Smith attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy and Debra Martin Chase attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy, Debra Lee and Debra Martin Chase attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy, Debra Lee and Debra Martin Chase attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Brandy attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Andre Holland attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Janet Mock attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Janet Mock attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Janet Mock attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaters ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Kelly Rowland attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Kelly Rowland attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Kelly Rowland attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Singer Kelly Rowland attends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s ‘Opening Night Gala’ benefit at New York City Center on December 2, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Raymond Hagans/Steed Media Service
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