Joan Weill, Robert Battle, Vanessa Williams, Sanford Weill, and Gina Adams Photo

From: Photo Flash: First Look at 2014 AILEY SPIRIT GALA PERFORMANCE AND PARTY

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's two-week spring engagement at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater kicked off in an exceptional way on Wednesday, June 11th with Revelations Celebration on the Plaza - a free grand dance workshop, where hundreds of people learned excerpts of Alvin Ailey's signature American masterpiece Revelations; followed by The Ailey Spirit Gala, a one-night-only benefit performance and party with Honorary Chair Vanessa Williams and sponsored by FedEx Corporation. The event's Co-Chairs were Gina F. Adams, Lynne & Anthony M. Carvette, Almaz & Marc Strachan, Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman & Rossie E. Turman III, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer. Gala Vice Chairs wereMichele & Timothy Barakett, Natasha Leibel Levine, M.D. & Harlan Levine, M.D., Leslie & Tom Maheras, and Celia & Henry McGee. The evening helped raise over $1 million for Alvin Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School.