Gabrielle Union, Joan Smalls and Robert Battle

Posted by | Ray Cornelius

Being Mary Jane  actress Gabrielle Union was dressed to the nines on Wednesday evening for the Opening Night Gala of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Union, who served as this year’s Honorary Chair, helped the company’s artistic director Robert Battle kick-off the 5-week winter season at New York’s City Center in Manhattan.

The dinner and performance featured the company premiere of Wayne McGregor’s “Chroma” as well as the company’s signature Ailey piece, “Revelations.” The evening continued with dancing at the Hilton Ballroom.

Joining Union for the evening’s festivities were Best Man Holiday  star Taye Diggs, opera legend Jesse Norman, supermodel Joan Smalls, actor Tristin ‘Mack” Wilds and ballerina Misty Copeland.

After its New York opening, the company will embark on a 23-city tour with stops in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Houston and Las Vegas. This season also marks the 25th anniversary since the passing of company founder, Alvin Ailey.

Take a look at a few photos below:

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 Hilton Ballroom

MackShemika Copeland

 Tristan ‘Mack’ Wilds and ABT Soloist Misty Copeland

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 Ailey dancers Elisa Clark, Daniel Harder, Sarah Daley, and Renaldo Gardner

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Taye Diggs and Jesse Norman

Photo Credit: Facebook/Christopher Duggan and Dario Calmese for AAADT

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