The internationally renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) turned 50 years old this year. Last week, the troupe opened its annual month-long run at New York City Center with a star-studded fete attended by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tiki Barber, Al Roker and Andre Leon Talley.

"Dance speaks to everyone.... And when Alvin Ailey spoke of the human spirit through dance, people listened – with their hearts and with their minds," Winfrey, a longtime supporter of the company, said.

She's not the only one heralding the company's efforts; New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proclaimed Dec. 4 "Alvin Ailey Day" in New York and the state's Governor David A. Paterson honored the company, while the United States Congress has considers it "the nation's cultural ambassador to the world."

It has been a long and storied journey since their humble beginnings at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, breaking ground as an innovative marvel in modern dance mixing African expression, ballet and live contemporary music.

And 50 years later, the troupe is showing no signs of slowing down.

Judith Jamison, Ailey's protégé and successor, has plans to move on as the company's Artistic Director in 2011, but the show must go on.

A variety of 36 ballets, including world premieres, new productions, special anniversary programs, and live music celebrations are on tap for the new season.

In celebration of this golden anniversary, a special documentary film -- produced and directed by Amanda Rogers and Stephen Mann -- chronicling the jubilant journey of Mr. Ailey – who died 19 years ago – and the many dancers and choreographers who came along the way is being screened as a prologue before select performances for the City Center run.

Other highlights include:

-- The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis is set to accompany six performances of Mr. Ailey's own choreography to the repertoire of late music maestro Duke Ellington.

--'Go in Grace,' a new work by company dancer Hope Boykin, will be accompanied by the Grammy Award winning female a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock live onstage. The 30-minute ballet chronicles the familial path of a middle class couple and the rearing of their son and their daughter – narrated through the all natural sound and song of community elders.

-- Live music accompaniment during eight performances of the troupe's most seminal work, 'Revelations,' which is a tour-de-force paying homage to the roots of southern black culture juxtaposed with soul stirring gospel standards and negro spirituals.

Alvin Ailey's holiday season run at the City Center serves as the official season opener for the company, which will continue over the next year with International and U.S. performances in 50 cities.

And the elaborate celebration of dance has extended into commemorative merchandise, including Hallmark Ailey greeting cards, the Ailey/Celebration Calendar, the Ailey Barbie Doll, the Ailey Movado Museum Time Piece, and 'A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student,' a children's book by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey.