Debra L. Lee News

The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Executive Director Bennett Rink today announced that more than $40 million has been raised to date to cap the tremendous legacy of retiring Chairman of the Board Joan H. Weill. The unprecedented gift, led by the generosity of Sanford I. Weill, inaugurates the Campaign for Ailey's Future to support the expansion of Ailey's building and the extension of Ailey's artistic and educational initiatives.

Revelations Celebration on the Plaza Workshop: Participants of all ages will be given a rare opportunity to take part in a grand dance workshop celebrating Alvin Ailey's signature American masterpiece,Revelations. Ailey master teacher and former Company member Nasha Thomas-Schmitt will teach movements from three distinctive sections of Revelations: “I've Been 'Buked,” “Wade in the Water,” and “Rocka My Soul.” Live music with a drummer and singers will be featured at the event.

BET Networks, the #1 network for the African-American audience and a top 20 cable network among all adults 18-49, announced its upcoming programming schedule for BET and Centric at its annual Upfront presentation.

The Apollo Theater, a leading not-for-profit performing arts institution, announced that its 2014 annual Spring Gala will be transformed into an epic birthday celebration in honor of the storied Theater's 80th anniversary, Tuesday, June 10, at 7pm. Departing from its tradition of inducting legends into the Apollo Hall of Fame, this year's Gala will celebrate the eight decades of artistic brilliance that has been presented on the Apollo stage since 1934. The evening will include special tribute performances by the music industry's biggest artists, some of whom call the Apollo their musical home, including Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, The Isley Brothers, and more. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning and Grammy nominated entertainer Wayne Brady.

The stars gathered last night to celebrate the opening night of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street); the same theatre where the original production of A Raisin in the Sun opened 55 years ago. BroadwayWorld brings you complete photo coverage from the star-studded red carpet below!

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's 2013-14 Season at New York City Center kicked off December 4th with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Gabrielle Union. The event's co-chairs were Simin Allison & in memory, Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Daria L. Foster & Erich J. Wallach, Agnes & Gerald Hassell, Debra L. Lee, and Joan & Sandy Weill. The evening helped raise over $2.4 million for the creation of new works and Alvin Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Check out the pics below!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off a five-week holiday season tonight, December 4thwith a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. 27-time Grammy award-winning music icon Quincy Jones and actress Gabrielle Union will serve as the evening's Honorary Chairs.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off a five-week holiday season on December 4thwith a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. 27-time Grammy award-winning music icon Quincy Jones and actress Gabrielle Union will serve as the evening's Honorary Chairs.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick-off a five-week holiday season tonight, November 28th with a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the Hilton New York. Academy award-winning actress and comedienne Mo'Nique will serve as the evening's Honorary Chair and Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece Revelations will be sung live with special celebrity guests onstage.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick-off a five-week holiday season on November 28th with a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the Hilton New York. Academy award-winning actress and comedienne Mo'Nique will serve as the evening's Honorary Chair and Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece Revelations will be sung live with special celebrity guests onstage.

During its annual Upfront presentation to the advertising community, BET Networks, the leading provider of content to black consumers globally, will reveal its new programming content including scripted programs and original movies for both BET and CENTRIC as well as new web series for BET.com.

The fifth annual BET HONORS will celebrate the outstanding achievements of extraordinary legends in music, literature, entertainment, media, service and education. Acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union hosts the show for a fourth year, honoring renowned poet/author Maya Angelou (Literary Arts), internationally acclaimed musician Stevie Wonder (Musical Arts), Grammy-Award winning songstress Mariah Carey (Entertainer), influential filmmaker Spike Lee (Media), the heroic Tuskegee Airmen (Service) and inspirational coach and mentor Beverly Kearney (Education). The BET HONORS premieres during Black History Month, on Monday, February 13 at 9:00 p.m.*

The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks, announced today that the world premiere of Diane Paragas' and Nelson George's Brooklyn Boheme (Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams) will serve as Opening Night selection for the festival, which will take place September 14-18, 2011 in midtown Manhattan at AMC 34th Street.

The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks, announced today that the world premiere of Diane Paragas' and Nelson George's Brooklyn Boheme (Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams) will serve as Opening Night selection for the festival, which will take place September 14-18, 2011 in midtown Manhattan at AMC 34th Street.

BET Networks honors the legacy of the civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr., with a special day of programming on BET and CENTRIC in celebration of the unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, August 28.

Coming off of the success of its best year ever in 2010 and best quarter ever for 1Q'11, BET Networks announced that it will unveil a brand new slate of programming for BET and CENTRIC at its 2011 Upfront presentation at the Best Buy Theater in New York.

Ailey's season celebrating five decades of the timeless classic, Revelations, kicked off last night with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Chairs Robin Roberts and Alfre Woodard. The night honored Joan Weill on her 10th anniversary as Chairman of Ailey's Board of Trustees and helped raise $2.7 million for Ailey's programs for children and young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Artistic Director Judith Jamison expressed sincere gratitude to Joan Weill for her dedicated leadership and passionate commitment to furthering Ailey's mission of inspiring and educating through dance.

The 2010 Soul Train Awards at the Cobb Energy Center on November 10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 2010 Soul Train Awards at the Cobb Energy Center on November 10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

During its annual Upfront presentation to the advertising community, BET Networks will reveal its new consumer research, new programming strategy including scripted programs and original movies, and the reinvigorated direction for the company at New York City's Nokia Theatre. Touting the Network's unique understanding of black consumers through its 'African Americans Revealed' study, BET will reinforce its position as the world's #1 provider of black content with unprecedented reach to all types of African American consumers across all demographics and genres.