Sylvie Guillem Graces the Joyce Theater Gala

Lesley Leslie-Sprinks

The Joyce Theater Foundation, New York’s preeminent dance hub, will host its annual black-tie spring gala on April 4, featuring a rare stateside performance from Sylvie Guillem. Guillem, who began her career as the youngest-ever étoile (principal dancer) at the Paris Opera Ballet, is now widely regarded as one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation. She will perform the American première of 6000 Miles, a program of contemporary works by renowned dance makers Mats Ek and William Forsythe. Though Guillem became a star dancing classical ballets, it is in contemporary choreography that her blend of sensuality, near-flawless technique and quirkiness is best appreciated—and while the Forsythe portion of the evening is a pas de deux (with Massimo Murru from Teatro alla Scalla Ballet), the Mats Ek piece, created purely for her, is a solo. 6000 Miles will run April 4, 5 and 7; gala tickets, from $1,000; joyce.org.