The dance company hosted their annual spirit gala at a new venue and stage: Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC.
During the one-night-only celebration, the spirit gala honored the heart and soul of dance. This year’s gala recognized Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter, activist, and Golden Globe-winning actress Andra Day as their honorary chair. “For me, it’s a full circle moment. It’s a dream realized. I went to a performing arts school when I was young. I danced for 22 years.” Day says in our exclusive interview.
Other gala co-chairs present included Len and Emily Blavatnik, Ailey Trustee Dr. Danielle Robinson, and the Reverend Dwayne McClary. Other attendees included ABC’s Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts, Ailey’s talented dancers, Miranda Quinn, Ashley Green, and Travon M. Williams.
The performance kicked off with West African drummers from Ailey Extension, by the Ailey School, and a collaborative dance, Chasing The Spirit, by the Ailey School, Ailey II dancers, and the youngest generation of talent, the Ailey Camp. The show closed with an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s timeless dance piece, Revelations, with a standing ovation from the audience. The fun continued in true Ailey style with a rocking after-party!
Before the evening kicked off, here are our carpet interviews from guests in attendance:
Honorary Chair, Andra Day:
Choreographer, Hope Boykin:
The Ailey School co-directors, Tracy Inman and Melanie Person:
Ailey Dancers, Ashley Green and Miranda Quinn:
To see the rest of our interviews from the Ailey Spirit Gala, be sure to head to our instagram @theknockturnal.
