Dancing, dining and celebrating the works of one of the most important figures in American dance will be on tap for the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s Gala 2011. KCFAA presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts from Wednesday, Nov. 16, through Saturday, Nov. 19. Performance week culminates Saturday evening with Gala 2011.
Prior to the evening’s performance — simultaneously across Kansas City — more than 1,600 guests will take part in intimate suppers in private homes and other creative venues. The food is donated by some of the city’s finest restaurants and caterers. The Gala will be used to promote diversity in the community.
“I believe the arts are one of the best tools we have to promote diversity and to bring people together,” said Bunni Copaken, who has been a member of KCFAA for 30 years. “The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings people in. It’s a universal language that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.”
KCFAA will bring the Ailey company to schools and homes for a week-long celebration.
“I think kids are really helped by seeing the dancers,” said Gayle Krigel, who along with her husband Bruce and Deborah and Paget Alves are the chairs for the Gala 2011. She has been involved with the Gala events for the past eight years. “The Gala is held every other year, but this will be the first year we are in the Kauffman Center, and that makes it special.”
The dinner before the show will run from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in several private residences. These “signature suppers” provide a cozy atmosphere for attendees to chat and get to know one another.
“The host homes gather a diverse group of people together, and puts them in a setting where everyone can feel comfortable,” Krigel said. “The way people come together through this time is remarkable.”
“The dinner is such a nice component,” said KCFAA member Sharon Hoffman. “You look out into the crowd, and you see about a 50-50 mix of people. One African American man told me years ago, that ‘there are more black couples in white homes than ever before.’ This event did that. Of course, things are better now. But events like these are still very important.”
After dinner, the attendees will see the world famous Ailey dance company, led by Artistic Director Robert Battle in his inaugural year. The 50-year anniversary of Ailey’s most famous work, “Revelations,” will be celebrated with a special performance.
First premiering in 1960, “Revelations” has been performed for more people around the world than any other modern dance work, including appearances at the Olympic Games and “The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison” presented by First Lady Michelle Obama. Most recently, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution, authored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, “recognizing the artistic and cultural contributions of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the 50th Anniversary of the first performance of Alvin Ailey’s masterwork, ‘Revelations’ and honoring the timeless classic beloved by people around the world’ with universal themes ‘that illustrate the strength and humanity within all of us.’ ”
“It is the finest contemporary dance I have ever seen,” Hoffman said. “The ‘Revelations’ piece is so uplifting. It’s like an old favorite song, that you never get tired of hearing.”
In addition to the performance of the renowned “Revelations,” a new piece will be on the program. Making this a unique experience will be the world premiere of a new work partially funded by the Arvin Gottlieb Foundation and the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation.
Following the show there will be a celebratory After Party with desert and dancing.
“It’s a chance for everyone to get out on the dance floor and dance with the greatest dancers in the world,” Krigel said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Proceeds from the Gala go to support KCFAA’s educational programs, including the AileyCamp. The AileyCamp is a free, six-week summer day camp for 180 students entering grades seven to eight.
“One of the most important things we do is working with kids,” Hoffman said. “The camp gives them a chance to express themselves and build confidence. It can change their lives.”
The volunteers all agree that they have gotten back a lot from their time with the KCFAA.
“I’ve been involved for the last 28 years, and I love the people that I am working with,” Hoffman said. “It is really a group that reaches out to people.”
“It’s great to be a part of something that touches a tremendous amount of members of the community,” Krigel said. “And to help children as well.”
“I feel that it is the Jewish tradition to be part of one’s larger community,” Copaken said, “And bridging the racial gap is one of the most important collaborations in America today. It’s been very rewarding.”
The Gala is part of a week of performances and school/community outreach programs. For more information on Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, visit their website at www.kcfaa.org.
For Gala 2011 tickets, call the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey office at 816-471-6003, ext. 100. All other performance tickets are sold through the Kauffman Center box office, 816-994-7222, or www.kauffmancenter.org.
“I think the KCFAA is attempting to find what brings people together,” Copaken said. “And the arts have always been a way to do that.”
