AILEY SPIRIT GALA - A Revelatory Celebration of Dance & Community

Nobody does it better than Ailey & its Artistic Dir Robert Battle; making everyone feel their best.  Last night's Ailey festivities brought everyone together for an evening of jubilant performances by Ailey's dancers & the young students from the Ailey School & AileyCamps.  The proceeds from the evening go towards educational programs for children at AileyCamps throughout the country & AileyDance serving more than 4,000 NYC public school students.  Proceeds also go towards scholarships to the Ailey School.  The youngsters from the programs proved how fun it is to move as a group to music. And, how vital & expressive dance is an art form.  Dir Battle set the tone for everyone to feel at ease &  enjoy the evening.  Audiences' vocal participation added to the merriment along with hosts Anthony Anderson ("Black-ish") & Roland Martin ("News One Now.") The students performed, then AILEY II danced an excerpt from "Something Strange" and the Ailey Company performed Robert Battle's "Awakening" and Alvin Ailey's "Cry" & "Revelations."  Seeing the the students on up to the Ailey Co was thrilling.  The incredible Ailey Dancer's included the younger dancers in their choreographed works.  Everyone danced their best.  AILEY shares the spirit of dance with excellence in performance  & commitment to spreading dance through programs for children.  It's not a revelation that Ailey is so good.  It's cause for celebration.  The reception featured DJ M.O.S. who kept the party moving on the dance floor alongside the fabulous Ailey Dancers.  Nobody does a gala half as good or half as fun as the Ailey Spirit Gala.