“I’m not sure if this is a brunch that’s gone on too long,” joked A.I.M by Kyle Abraham board member Mark Leavitt, referring to the 4 p.m. start time of the dance company’s annual gala on Sunday. But then again, for boundary-breaking, genre-defying choreographer Abraham and his troupe of dancers, challenging the status quo and presenting a new way of doing things is always on the agenda. (Plus, who doesn’t like an early wrap time on a Sunday?)
Hosted at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, the early evening fundraising event incorporated a cocktail hour where guests from the worlds of dance, art, and entertainment could drink in the views of the sun-dappled Hudson River. During the seated dinner that followed, dancers gave a sizzle reel of works they’ve been touring the world with lately, too.
For almost 20 years, the inclusive modern dance company has brought thought-provoking movement rooted in Black and queer history and culture to the forefront under the stewardship of Abraham. A.I.M tours nationally and internationally for 25 weeks a year, making the company one of the most active in the contemporary category, as full-time members Donovan Reed, Catherine Kirk, Olivia Wang, Mykiah Gore, Keturah Stephen, Faith Joy Mondesire, Gianna Theodore, William Okajima, Amari Frazier, and Jamaal Bowman simultaneously become fully-fledged stars in their own right.
Speaking of the earlier days of the company and Abraham’s unwavering vision for A.I.M as he encouraged the room to bid on live auction items, Leavitt recalled: “Kyle was known as an exceptional ballet dancer from Pittsburgh, who, all of a sudden, was the ‘it kid’ in choreography. And while people were watching his incredible talent develop, Kyle was trying to build this amazing dance company with food stamps. The tragedy and the opportunity around dance is that there’s not a lot of money in it—that’s the sad part—but a little bit of money goes a long way.” In a rarity for the industry, A.I.M provides its dancers with comprehensive salaries, healthcare, retirement plans, and royalties. As well as nurturing and supporting talent, funds raised from the gala will go towards commissioning choreographers, artists, musicians, and designers for new works, and into organizing two week-long educational intensives per year that are free for participants hoping to get their own start in dance.