PHOTOS | Annual Gala for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Event: Alonzo King LINES Ballet Gala
Date: May 17, 2025
Location: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Photos (38): Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

On May 17, 2025, LINES Ballet welcomed 375 guests to its annual Gala, raising over $420,000 in support of its performance and education initiatives at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The evening featured a world premiere collaboration between choreographer Alonzo King and American jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, presented alongside King’s iconic Scheherazade, with music reinterpreted by the late Zakir Hussain.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, joined by his daughter Taya, made some poignant remarks before the performance. A standout moment came as Aaron Walton, who won last year’s auction to perform onstage, joined the company for the finale after rehearsing in San Francisco throughout the week. Special guests included actress Cheri Oteri, singer Goapele—who gave an impromptu vocal performance—Randall Kline, Zakir Hussain’s wife Antonia Minnecola and daughter Anisa Quereshi.

Looking ahead, LINES announced an upcoming collaboration with Esperanza Spalding, set to premiere in Spring 2026.
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​Notable attendees:
​Mayor Daniel Lurie, with wife Becca Prowda and daughter Taya Lurie – Speaker
​Alonzo King – Founder & Artistic Director, LINES Ballet
​Ambrose Akinmusire – American Jazz Trumpeter
​Cheri Oteri – Actress
​Goapele – Singer

[ Content: Drew Altizer Photography ]