Bennett Rink News

Leaders of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today celebrated the expansion of Ailey's permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, with a ceremonial roof-breaking to mark the company's upward growth.

(New York) – July 13, 2016 – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” returns to the United Kingdom, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Copenhagen, Denmark to perform a dozen ballets from September 6 – October 30. Robert Battle will lead Ailey through the UK (September 9 – October 19) for the first time since becoming Artistic Director, including the Company's inaugural visits to Southampton and Canterbury, England. Presented by Dance Consortium, the UK engagement will include 10 works performed across 10 cities. The Company will then head to the Salle Métropole in Lausanne (October 22 – 23) and The Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen (October 26 – 30). Bank of America is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2016 and 2017 international tours.

(New York) – July 13, 2016 – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” returns to the United Kingdom, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Copenhagen, Denmark to perform a dozen ballets from September 6 – October 30. Robert Battle will lead Ailey through the UK (September 9 – October 19) for the first time since becoming Artistic Director, including the Company's inaugural visits to Southampton and Canterbury, England. Presented by Dance Consortium, the UK engagement will include 10 works performed across 10 cities. The Company will then head to the Salle Métropole in Lausanne (October 22 – 23) and The Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen (October 26 – 30). Bank of America is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2016 and 2017 international tours.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Center is now presenting their 2016 at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater through June 19th. See the company's stunning displays of modern dance that celebrate the African-American cultural experience.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2015 Lincoln Center engagement kicked off with a star-studded Ailey Spirit Gala on Wednesday, June 10th. The one-night-only benefit performance and party honoring the Ford Foundation and sponsored by FedEx featured supermodel and actor Tyson Beckford as Honorary Chair. Gala Co-Chairs were Gina F. Adams, Ricki Lander, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan, Pamela Zilly & John Schaefer and Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, and the Vice Chairs were Michele & Timothy Barakett, Dr. N. Anthony & Robyn Coles, and Leslie & Tom Maheras. The evening helped raise over $1 million for Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Scroll down for photos from the event!

New York – April 15, 2015 – Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation has been selected for the New York-based Wallace Foundation's Building Audiences for Sustainability effort – a new, six-year, $52-million initiative aimed at developing practical insights into how exemplary performing arts organizations can successfully expand their audiences, the foundation announced today. The $710,000 grant is earmarked for preliminary audience research and the first cycle of work will explore how to eliminate barriers of engagement for millennials and implement new strategies to involve and retain their participation for years to come.

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation has been selected for the New York-based Wallace Foundation's Building Audiences for Sustainability effort -- a new, six-year, $52-million initiative aimed at developing practical insights into how exemplary performing arts organizations can successfully expand their audiences, the foundation announced today. The $710,000 grant is earmarked for preliminary audience research and the first cycle of work will explore how to eliminate barriers of engagement for millennials and implement new strategies to involve and retain their participation for years to come.

Last night's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's ODETTA premiere performance was star studded with guests including Harry Belafonte, Laverne Cox, Jessye Norman, Carmen de Lavallade,Bevy Smith, Suzanne Vega, Ruben Santiago Hudson, Michela Angela Davis, Khalil Kain, Rochelle Aytes, Pastors Michael A Walrond Jr., and Reverend LaKeesha Waldrond attending the world premiere of Matthew Rushing's. Fittingly, ODETTA, which celebrates the legendary singer known as the "voice of the Civil Rights Movement." premiered on National Human Rights Day. Fans can catch ODETTA seven more times this season: Dec 13 Mat, 14 eve, 18 eve, 20 eve, 26, 28 eve, 31 mat.

Last night's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's ODETTA premiere performance was star studded with guests including Harry Belafonte, Laverne Cox, Jessye Norman, Carmen de Lavallade, Bevy Smith, Suzanne Vega, Ruben Santiago Hudson, Michela Angela Davis, Khalil Kain, Rochelle Aytes, Pastors Michael A Walrond Jr., and Reverend LaKeesha Waldrond attending Matthew Rushing's world premiere. Fittingly, ODETTA, which celebrates the legendary singer known as the "voice of the Civil Rights Movement," premiered on National Human Rights Day. BroadwayWorld has photos from the premiere below!

NEW YORK, NY — November 14, 2014 — The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Executive Director Bennett Rink today announced that more than $40 million has been raised to date to cap the tremendous legacy of retiring Chairman of the Board Joan H. Weill. The unprecedented gift, led by the generosity of Sanford I. Weill, inaugurates the Campaign for Ailey's Future to support the expansion of Ailey's building and the extension of Ailey's artistic and educational initiatives.

The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Executive Director Bennett Rink today announced that more than $40 million has been raised to date to cap the tremendous legacy of retiring Chairman of the Board Joan H. Weill. The unprecedented gift, led by the generosity of Sanford I. Weill, inaugurates the Campaign for Ailey's Future to support the expansion of Ailey's building and the extension of Ailey's artistic and educational initiatives.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's 2013-14 Season at New York City Center kicked off December 4th with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Gabrielle Union. The event's co-chairs were Simin Allison & in memory, Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Daria L. Foster & Erich J. Wallach, Agnes & Gerald Hassell, Debra L. Lee, and Joan & Sandy Weill. The evening helped raise over $2.4 million for the creation of new works and Alvin Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Check out the pics below!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” returns to South America after 15 years with a robust schedule of 20 performances and a variety of educational activities for area students. The first visit to South America led by Artistic Director Robert Battle includes engagements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at Cidade das Artes from September 11-15, São Paulo, Brazil at Credicard Hall from September 19-22, and Buenos Aires, Argentina at Teatro Coliseo fromSeptember 26-29. Bloomberg is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's international tour to Brazil.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World,"returns to South America after 15 years with a robust schedule of 20 performances and a variety of educational activities for area students. The first visit to South America led by Artistic Director Robert Battle includes engagements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at Cidade das Artes from September 11-15, São Paulo, Brazil at Credicard Hall from September 19-22, and Buenos Aires, Argentina at Teatro Coliseo from September 26-29. Bloomberg is the lead sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's international tour to Brazil.

On June 12, 2013, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular dance companies, kicked off its seven performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater. The performance marked the Company's historic return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the first time in over a decade and its first engagement there led by Artistic Director Robert Battle. Scroll down for photos from the opening festivities!

The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today announced that after an international search to identify a new Executive Director, the Board of Trustees has chosen to continue the Ailey tradition of passing on leadership from one generation of the organization to the next by naming Bennett Rink to the post. Mr. Rink, Ailey's current Senior Director of Development and External Affairs, will succeed Sharon Gersten Luckman, who hired him in 1994, and who announced at the beginning of 2012 that she would step aside as Executive Director at the beginning of 2013.

Last night marked another first for Ailey, the launch of Ailey's Young Patrons Circle - a dynamic group of influencers ages 21 to 39 who are excited about being closely involved year-round with this world-class Company, while supporting Ailey's programs and new Artistic Director Robert Battle's vision.

The Ailey organization recently launched a redesigned website extending the online reach of all of Ailey's components: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, The Ailey Extension, and Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs.