Ailey's Opening Night Gala Benefit Honors Debra L. Lee

On Wednesday, November 29 at 7 p.m., Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's five-week holiday season kicks off with a star-studded gala benefit, including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom.

The Gala honors Ailey Board President Debra L. Lee (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET Networks) for her commitment to the advancement of arts and culture and her dedication to the organization, which has helped steer Ailey to success since she joined the Board in 2002.

Honorary Chairs for the evening are music and film stars Queen Latifah and Janelle Mon�e. Queen Latifah is an actress, singer, songwriter and producer and has earned numerous awards including a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe. Singer-songwriter Janelle Mon�e, a six-time Grammy nominee, rose to silver screen fame last year in the Academy Award-nominated film "Hidden Figures" and Best Picture winner "Moonlight."

The one-night-only program features excerpts of dynamic works set to music by soul icons: George Faison's Suite Otis (Otis Redding), Love Stories by Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, and Rennie Harris (Stevie Wonder), Camille Brown's The Groove to Nobody's Business (Ray Charles), and David Parson's Shining Star (Earth, Wind & Fire).

The performance culminates with Alvin Ailey's masterpiece, Revelations, performed with live musicians and singers. Prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will join Artistic Director Robert Battle and dancers for dinner and dancing to live music in the New York Hilton Midtown's Grand Ballroom following the performance.

Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's New York Winter Season. American Express is the Official Card of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater gratefully acknowledges the support of Diageo, North America during the New York Winter Season.

Love Stories was created through the Ailey New Works Fund, supported by Altria Group, Inc.; the Ailey New Choreography Initiative, sponsored by AT&T; and with major support provided by Ford Foundation. Additional funding was provided by The Harkness Foundation for Dance.

The 2017 season is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

The Gala benefits the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey's educational programs for young people. Deedra & Bob Bakish, Emily & Len Blavatnik, Paulette & Howard Bradnock, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, and Joan & Sandy Weill will serve as Co-Chairs for the Gala.

Ailey's holiday season of new works and returning favorites also features special programs such as an evening Celebrating the Men of Ailey; All Ailey, All Jazz, and All New programs; a Christmas Eve performance; and culminates with a New Year's Eve Season Finale. Click here for more information. Tickets for season performances start at $29, and are on sale at the New York City Center Box Office.

For tickets or information, call 212-581-1212 or 212-405-9031 or visit www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org.