The Ailey Spirit Gala Benefit Performance & Party At Lincoln Center Supports Scholarships

The centerpiece of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Lincoln Center engagement is The Ailey Spirit Gala on Thursday, June 14. This one-night-only benefit performance and party honors Jaishri Kapoor and Vikas Kapoor for their remarkable support of the Ailey organization, their dedication to Ailey's educational initiatives, and Jaishri's leadership as an Ailey Trustee. The evening's Honorary Chair is actor, singer, and activist Jussie Smollett, who stars on Fox's Empire and recently released his debut album, Sum of My Music.

The evening will include the incomparable Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in an excerpt of Jamar Roberts' Members Don't Get Weary; the rising stars of Ailey II in an excerpt of Juel D. Lane's Touch & Agree; and gifted young dancers from The Ailey School showcasing their talents in Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle's Battlefield. In honor of the program's 30th year, gifted students from AileyCamp will perform a hip-hop/modern fusion work by instructor Jonathan Lee and Ailey II's Marcus Williams, dedicated to hip-hop legend Prodigy of Mobb Deep. An expanded cast of the present and future stars of Ailey will come together for a memorable finale of Alvin Ailey's masterpiece, Revelations. A soirée on the promenade follows with dancing to the musical stylings of husband-and-wife duo DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss.

The Ailey Spirit Gala raises funds to support scholarships to The Ailey School and Ailey's Arts In Education & Community Programs, including AileyCamp, an innovative, full-scholarship summer program that uses dance as a means to help inner-city youth stretch their minds, bodies, and spirits. Attendees will see the impact of their charitable giving firsthand as talented students from these programs take the stage. Gala Co-Chairs are Stephen Meringoff & Kim Charlton, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan, and Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach; and Vice Chairs are Michele & Timothy Barakett, Robyn & N. Anthony Coles, Leslie & Tom Maheras, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer. For tickets, visit alvinailey.org/ailey-spirit-gala or call 212-405-9031.

For more information on Ailey's Lincoln Center engagement from June 13 - 17, click here. Tickets for season performances start at $29, and can be purchased at the David H. Koch Box Office, by phone at 212-496-0600, or online at www.alvinailey.org.