Was This Gala New York City's Most Glamorous Holiday Party?

On December 4, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opened its holiday season at New York City Center with a gala benefit performance and party. The evening was chaired by Emily and Len Blavatnik, Paulette Mullings Bradnock and Howard Bradnock, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, Daria and Eric Wallach, and Joan and Sandy Weill, and honored the contributions of Elaine Wynn and The Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation to Ailey and its mission.

Guests were treated to a one-night-only performance of two works by the late Merce Cunningham as well as Alvin Ailey’s beloved “Revelations.” After the performance, a group including Honorary Chair Renée Elise Goldsberry, Robert Battle, Judith Jamison, Angela Bassett, Charles Blow, Phylicia Rashad, Ryan Jamaal Swain, and more made their way to the New York Midtown Hilton’s Grand Ballroom for dinner, live music, and dancing. The evening raised close to $2.3 million to support Ailey, its school, and the creation of new works.