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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

  • View on Map

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.  

The evening will feature an excerpt of the new production of Judith Jamison’s Hymn and Jamar Roberts’ Power of Love, celebrating R&B legend Luther Vandross with an original score built from his hits, 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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Ailey's 2022 Opening Night Gala. A wide shot of a grand ballroom. There are tables with arrangements and flowers, images of dancers projected on the walls, and a band warming up in the background.

Ailey's 2022 Opening Night Gala. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

A room full of people dancing in a ballroom. There is a pink tint to the picture due to lights from the stage.

Guests dancing at Ailey's 2023 Opening Night Gala. Photo by Pete Monsanto.

A ballroom with five different images of dancers projected onto the wall. There is a bar with glasses at the bottom of the image. There is a crystal chandelier at the top of the image.

Ailey's 2022 Opening Night Gala, Ziegfeld Ballroom. Photo by Donna Ward.

Ailey Dancers in Revelations, the women sitting in chairs and the men jumping with the hands on their hips

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Revelations Photo by Christopher Duggan

People dancing in a grand ballroom. There are two women in the middle of the image. They are clapping their hands and smiling. The woman slightly in the front of the image has a black dress on with many silver necklaces.

Guests Dancing at Opening Night Gala. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

A man on stage in a black suit. He is the lead singer of a band and he is smiling at the crowd.

Elan Artists performing at Ailey's 2023 Opening Night Gala. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

Contact Us

For more information, please call 212-405-9029.

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Hero Credit: Choreographer Jamar Roberts. Photo by Andrew Eccles