Manhattan’s first performing arts center, New York City Center was founded by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia as “the people’s theater,” where generations of New Yorkers have experienced the best in music, theater, and dance since 1943. This mission continues today through celebrated dance and musical theater series including the Fall for Dance Festival, the Tony-honored Encores!, and the two most recent dance programs, Artists at the Center and City Center Dance Festival. The beautiful neo-Morrish building is also home to Alvin Ailey American Dance Company, City Center's principal dance company, and the Manhattan Theatre Club. Flexible rental spaces can be used for theater and dance, concerts, conferences and meetings, graduations, parties and other special events.