Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Releases Full Schedule of Events for December 2015

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off a five-week holiday season on December 2nd with a star-studded gala benefit including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. This year's gala will honor BNY Mellon for its major support of The Ailey Organization, and Agnes & Gerald Hassell will accept on the institution's behalf. Celebrated film star Chadwick Boseman, best known for portraying Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get on Up, will serve as the evening's honorary chair.

Gala highlights include the timely world premiere of Ronald K. Brown's Cuban-inspired Open Door, set to music from Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra's recently released album Cuba: The Conversation Continues, and David Parson's signature gravity-defying male solo, Caught. Alvin Ailey's beloved Revelations will rock the crowd in a rousing finale to live music with singers that include the incomparable Ella Mitchell. Attended by prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy & politics, guests expected include Savion Glover, Lance Gross, Janet Mock, Joe Morton, Naturi Naughton, Brandy Norwood, Arturo O'Farrill, Phylicia Rashad, Kelly Rowland and Samira Wiley, joining Artistic Director Robert Battle and dancers for the gala performance and dinner-dance that follows. Click here for full release.

OPEN DOOR - WORLD PREMIERE

Acclaimed choreographer Ronald K. Brown's Cuban-inspired Open Door is a work for 10 dancers set to the music of Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, including songs from their recently released Cuba: The Conversation Continues. Recorded in Havana days after President Obama announced the normalization of relations between our countries, the album is hailed as "an ambitious statement that honors deeply held musical traditions while pushing forward" (The New York Times). Brown's travels to Cuba inspired much of the movement, from the salsa partnering to the references to Elegba - the Santería god who opens pathways. A testament to the power of dance and music as vehicles for culture and compassion, Open Door marks Brown's sixth Ailey world premiere.

Performance Dates: Dec 2, 5 mat, 13 eve, 17, 19 eve, 22, 23 mat, 26 eve, Jan 2 eve

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4th

AWAKENING - WORLD PREMIERE

Awakening is a work featuring Robert Battle's signature taut, ritualistic choreographic style and a score by American composer John Mackey. The much-anticipated world premiere is the first work Battle has choreographed since becoming Ailey's Artistic Director. Buoyed by the complex rhythmic quality of Mackey's music ("Turning" and "The Attention of Souls," the third movement from the symphony Wine-Dark Sea), a dozen Ailey dancers lead the audience on a cathartic journey in this powerful dance of dissonance and harmony, chaos and resolution.

Performance Dates: Dec 4, 5 eve, 12 mat, 17, 19 eve, 22, 24, 26 eve, Jan 2 eve

OTHER WEEK 1 HIGHLIGHTS

REVELATIONS WITH LIVE MUSIC

For one week only, Alvin Ailey's beloved Revelations will be performed to live music with singers that include the incomparable Ella Mitchell.

Performance Dates: Dec 2, 4, 5 mat and eve

EXODUS - 2015 SEASON PREMIERE

Hip-hop choreographer Rennie (Lorenzo) Harris' critically-acclaimed 2015 season premiere explores the idea of "exodus" - from one's ignorance and conformity - as a necessary step toward enlightenment. Set to gospel and house music along with spoken word, the work underscores the crucial role of action and movement in effecting change. Exemplifying his view of hip hop as a "celebration of life," Exodus marks Harris' latest invitation to return to spiritual basics and affirm who we are.

Performance Dates: Dec 3, 6 mat, 9, 12 eve, 22, 23, 26 mat, 27 eve, 3 mat

SATURDAY FAMILY MATINEE SERIES

On Saturday afternoons, bring the whole family to enjoy the performance and stay for a FREE Q & A with the acclaimed Ailey dancers in the theater after the performance.

Performance Dates: Dec 6 mat, 13 mat, 20 mat, 27 mat, Jan 3 mat

CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, returns to the New York City Center stage for the 45th consecutive year December 2, 2015 - January 3, 2016. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's extraordinary dancers will move audiences with premieres, new productions and repertory favorites in a season that has become a joyous holiday tradition. Tickets starting at $25 are available for purchase at the New York City Center Box Office, through CityTix® at (212) 581-1212 or online at www.alvinailey.org orwww.nycitycenter.org. Discount tickets are available for Ailey Super Fans who purchase tickets for more than one performance, for students with an appropriate ID and for groups of 10 or more (discounts do not apply to $25 tickets). For group sales, call 212-405-9082 or e-mailgroupsales@alvinailey.org. For further information, visit www.alvinailey.org