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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Ribbon Cutting and Official Dedication

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street at Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212.405.9000
www.alvinailey.org

(See Ailey Groundbreaking Ceremony)
(See Links to Ailey Dance Theater Reviews and Interview)

Alvin Ailey - Founder
Judith Jamison - Artistic Director
Joan Weill - Chairman, Board of Trustees
Masazumi Chaya - Associate Artistic Director
Sharon Gersten Luckman — Executive Director
Calvin Hunt - General Manager
Jodi Pam Krizer - Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Beth Olsen - Public Relations
Lynette Rizzo - Marketing

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
March 2, 2005

Program in The Citigroup Theater
Prayer of Dedication: Reverend Robert Polk
Speakers: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Judith Jamison, Joan Weill

Revelations (1960) (Excerpts): (See Full Revelations Reviews) Choreography by Alvin Ailey, Music: Traditional, Décor and Costumes by Ves Harper, Costumes for Rocka My Soul redesigned by Barbara Forbes, Lighting by Nicola Cernovitch, performed by Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and Students from The Ailey School.
Excerpts Performed: Take Me to the Water,
and
Move, Members, Move.

Today's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication of the new Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was, like everything else associated with the Ailey Dance Theater, exciting, energizing, and electric. Speeches were presented by Judith Jamison, Artistic Director and Alvin Ailey's disciple, Mayor Bloomberg, Joan Weill, Carmen de Lavallade, and Reverend Robert Polk. Everyone praised the collaborative efforts of the Ailey leadership, staff, and private donors, including Sharon Gersten Luckman, Executive Director, and, especially, Joan Weill, for whom the new Center for Dance is named.

Members of the Ailey Company, Ailey II, and The Ailey School joined forces in a rousing rendition of Revelations excerpts (a few candid photos below). The Citigroup Theater has extraordinary sight lines and acoustics, and the concert was ever so special in the Ailey Company's new home of steel and glass and mirrors and wood in the Midtown West neighborhood. A photo essay follows of the day's events. Another photo essay with comments will be published soon of a tour of the new Joan Weill Center for Dance, as well as information on The Ailey Extension (courses for the community in many forms and levels of dance).

Joan and Sandy Weill
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Jazz Band Entertains Guests
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Jazz Band Entertains Guests
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison Poster
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Lynette Rizzo, Ailey Staff
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

New Ailey Lobby
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

New Ailey Lobby
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Masazumi Chaya, Ailey Staff
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Judith Jamison Speaks
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Mayor Bloomberg Speaks
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Joan Weill Speaks
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Carmen de Lavallade Speaks
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Judith Jamison Speaks
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Performance of Revelations
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Performance of Revelations
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Grand Accolades
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

Grand Accolades
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower