Ailey's 2025 Opening Night Gala Photo by Randy Lange
New York, NY
Opening Night Gala
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Date
Dec 2
Location
- New York City Center
- 131 West 55th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
- New York, NY
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.
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.
| Honorary Chairs | SZA Spike Lee & Tonya Lee |
| Honorary Committee | Debbie Allen Gail A. Brewer Cynthia Erivo Jennifer Garner Nelson George Ron Gillyard Tamron Hall 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 & Nicholas Brathwaite Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Laura & Howard Corb Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Nailah L. Flake Jaileah X. Huddleston Judith McDonough Kaminski & Joseph Kaminski 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 Joan Binstock and David Silvers Ertharin Cousin and Howlie Davis Death or Glory LLC Allison Ecung, Baroness von Arnim Janice Ellig Greenberg Traurig, LLP Melissa and Marc James Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Ethel Klein & Edward P. Krugman Teresa & Aaron Krugman Major Maurice & Dr. Antonia Ecung McDermott Will & Schulte LLP Henry & Celia McGee Nancy McKinstry Yasmeen Mock Daniel Morris Jane & Mark Nielsen Primary Wave Cara Robinson Victoria Lasdon Rose & Donald J. Rose, M.D. Savills / Elizabeth & Arthur J. Mirante II Alma Scott Seven Bucks Productions Southern Company Tawana Tibbs and Bruce Gordon Dr. Lynn Todman & Michael A. Todman Andy Travaglia Bruce & Sandi Tully Linsey Tully & Joe Racioppo Madison & Sydney Utendahl Luther Vandross Estate Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Karen E. Wagner & David Caplan Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
| Listings as of November 10, 2026 |
Hero Credit: Choreographer Jamar Roberts. Photo by Andrew Eccles
