Scope and arrangement
The Gala Performance to Save the Dance Collection photographs consists of approximately 115 black and white 5" x 7" photographs of the performances taken during the evening of January 24, 1972 by photographer Fred Fehl. The photographs are arranged chronologically in the order in which the pieces were performed during the event. The gala was held as a benefit fundraiser at the City Center of Music and Drama to ensure the preservation and maintenance of the dance collection held at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts located in Lincoln Center. Dance companies that participated during the event such as the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet, Theatre, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater all contributed various works to event-goers. Works choreographed by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and John Butler among others were included as part of the night's repertoire. Notable names in the dance world such as Merce Cunningham, Margot Fonteyn, and Judith Jamison were also photographed during the event.