Jamar Roberts in a black sparkly suit with a knee up and arms back in front of a white backdrop with bright lights on the sides

New York, NY

Opening Night Gala

Dec 2

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Date

Dec 2

Location

New York City Center
131 West 55th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
New York, NY
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Time

6:30PM

Time is subject to change. Dinner and dancing to follow at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, 141 West 54th Street. Black Tie or Festive Dress.

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On Wednesday, December 2, 2026, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater launches its 2026–27 New York City Center season with the highly anticipated Opening Night Gala, helmed by Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, with multiple Grammy Award-winning artist SZA and Award–winning filmmakers Spike Lee and Tonya Lee as Honorary Chairs.

The evening will feature an excerpt of the new production of Judith Jamison’s Hymn and Jamar Roberts’ Power of Love, a celebration of R&B legend Luther Vandross that brings his iconic hits to life, in recognition of what would have been his 75th birthday. Dinner and dancing at the Ziegfeld Ballroom will immediately follow.

Proceeds from the Gala support the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, including the creation of new works, scholarships for talented students at The Ailey School, and AILEY’s innovative outreach programs for people of all ages. 

_{Programs, casting, and prices are subject to change without notice.}

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Honorary Chairs	SZA Spike Lee & Tonya Lee
Honorary Committee	Debbie Allen Gail A. Brewer Cynthia Erivo Jennifer Garner Nelson George Ron Gillyard H.E.R. Brad Hoylman-Sigal Reginald Hudlin Samara Joy Gayle King Lizzo LL Cool J Audra McDonald Marcus Miller Karen Pittman Sheryl Lee Ralph Anna Deavere Smith Vanessa Williams
Co-Chairs	Jody & John Arnhold Emily & Len Blavatnik Jack Pitts Paula A. & Michael D. Price Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach Joan & Sandy Weill Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer
Vice Chairs	Anthony S. Kendall Tara L. Smith
AILEY Champions	Jody & John Arnhold Emily & Len Blavatnik Bristol Myers Squibb Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach Joan & Sandy Weill Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer
AILEY Benefactors	Mitchell Titus LLP
AILEY Visionaries	Accenture American Express Bank of America Eve & Co The Jordan Family Fund Morgan Stanley Karen & Charles Phillips Paula A. & Michael D. Price Prudential Financial
AILEY Innovators	AARP Akin Devika Bhise Bloomberg Philanthropies Esi Eggleston Bracey Janice Brathwaite Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Laura & Howard Corb Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Nailah L. Flake Jaileah X. Huddleston Angela & Robert Kissane Allegra Lawrence-Hardy Debra L. Lee Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP PayPal Prudential Financial Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn & Nicolas S. Rohatyn Ropes & Gray LLP Elaine & Larry Rothenberg Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Verizon Communications Warner Bros. Wells Fargo
Supporters	Eleanor S. Applewhaite Janice Ellig Joan Binstock and David Silvers Greenberg Traurig, LLP Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Henry & Celia McGee Yasmeen Mock Daniel Morris Cara Robinson Victoria Lasdon Rose & Donald J. Rose, M.D. Savills / Elizabeth & Arthur J. Mirante II Seven Bucks Productions Southern Company Tawana Tibbs and Bruce Gordon Bruce & Sandi Tully Linsey Tully & Joe Racioppo Madison & Sydney Utendahl Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Karen E. Wagner & David Caplan Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

	_{Listings as of October 14, 2026}

Decorative table at Ailey's 2025 Opening Night Gala

Ailey's 2025 Opening Night Gala Photo by Randy Lange

Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack and Executive Director Bennett Rink at Ailey's 2025 Opening Night Gala Photo by Randy Lange