The Ailey Spirit Gala 2019
About last night at Lincoln Center, The Ailey Spirit Gala presented a sensual, artistic and spiritual evening of dance performances and an after party to benefit The Ailey School. The soiree to herald The School’s 50th Anniversary supports the vision of the legendary choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey by providing professional dance training and scholarships to The Ailey School and Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began 60 years ago at the 92St Y in Manhattan. Ten years later, The Ailey School was born and served as a springboard for many artists, including more than 70% of the dancers in the Company.
Bold faced stars The Blonds, Judith Jamison, Zadie Smith, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Emil Wilbekin, and Kehinde Wiley came to pay homage to the legendary artist and enjoy a fantastic night of Ailey signature dance performances.
The jubilant celebration honored The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for its eighteen year of commitment to the Ailey organization. The late philanthropist Doris Duke was passionate about supporting the arts. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation President and CEO Ed Henry accepted the award from the lethally charming Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle.
Over 2.5 million has been granted by the foundation towards support of The Ailey School to launch lasting initiatives like the Ailey Athletic Boys scholarship program and Ailey Camp. The Ailey Athletic Boys scholarship program introduces young male students into the world of dance. AileyCamp is an innovative, full-scholarship summer day camp that uses dance as a means to help inner-city youth stretch their minds, bodies, and spirits.
The one night only benefit for the Ailey school bought standout performances from its own. The evening’s five sections began with the adorable “Ailey babies” from The Ailey School’s Junior Division in “The Beginning”. Former “Ailey baby” and Ailey II Artistic Director Troy Powell choreographed the Professional Division in “Perseverance,” former AileyCampers in “Home,” Ailey II in “Life Lessons,” and Ailey’s Solomon Dumas in “Legacy.” The professional company bewitched in a sexy and athletic excerpt from Rennie Harris’ acclaimed “Lazarus”. The performance finale was the supernaturally uplifting, “Revelations” featuring a brief surprise addition of the “Ailey babies” junior Division to the World-Renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company performance. Standing ovations and thunderous applause from the packed theater ensued during and after each section.
Honorary Chair Award-Winning Actress Lorraine Toussaint and star of NBC’s “The Village” was an elegant hostess with the mostess. Proud mama Lorraine is the parent of a student at The Ailey School. She shimmered in a silver cocktail dress while reminiscing about seeing the magnificent Judith Jamison in her original performance of “Cry” choreographed by Ailey dedicated to all black women especially mothers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ailey’s prolific life story has been acquired by Fox Searchlight to become a feature film. The dream team of producer, actress and Grammy Award winning singer Alicia Keys and director Barry Jenkins (Oscar winner “Moonlight” and Oscar nominee,“If Beale Street Could Talk”) will develop the project. The film will be based on New York Times dance critic Jennifer Dunning’s best-selling bio, “Alvin Ailey: Life in Dance” and the full cooperation of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
The party continued on the promenade with an open bar and summer buffet of pan seared salmon, Parmesan crusted chicken, heirloom salad and artisanal breads. Gala Co-Chairs Michele & Timothy Barakett, Tia Breakley-China & Robert China, Stephen Meringoff, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan and Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach; and Vice Chairs are Joy Altimare, Jaishri & Vikas Kapoor, and Leslie & Tom Maheras danced with high profile guests and supporters from the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy and politics.
The after party enticed amateur and professional dancers to hit the floor with their best moves. Spinning by DJ M.O.S. who spun tunes Le Chic, Madonna, The Three Degrees, Drake, Beyoncé, et al. turned the promenade into a righteous house party. A good time was had by all. The evening’s success raised 1 million for the Ailey School.
The piece de resistance “Revelations” and classics of Ailey repertoire, works by next generation choreographers Ronald K. Brown, “The Call”, Rennie Harris’s “Lazarus”,the premiere for “Ounce of Faith” by Darrell Grand Moultice and An Evening Honoring Carmen de Lavallade are the many jewels of the summer performance engagement. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater graces The David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center from June 12th -16th.
