100 Years of Eye-High Kicks

Expressway Music brings the magic to the Rockette Alumnae Association’s landmark 100th Anniversary Charity Ball

The Radio City Rockettes — An American Icon

For one hundred years, the Radio City Rockettes have captivated the world with their breathtaking precision, grace, and showmanship. Since their very first kick line in 1925, these extraordinary women have come to represent the pinnacle of American performance excellence — a living, breathing tradition of artistry that has graced the stage of Radio City Music Hall and touched the hearts of generations of fans worldwide.

To reach 100 years is no small feat. It is a testament to the dedication, sacrifice, and extraordinary talent of every woman who has ever laced up those iconic heels and taken her place in the line. Each generation of Rockettes passed the torch with pride, shaping and elevating a legacy that is, quite simply, unlike anything else in the world of entertainment.

The Rockette Alumnae Association — the formidable and fiercely passionate community of women who have kept this tradition alive, honored, and celebrated — deserve every bit of the spotlight they so long shared on that legendary stage. It is their spirit, camaraderie, and unyielding love for the craft that has carried the Rockette name proudly into its second century.

“One hundred years of eye-high kicks, sisterhood, and spectacular showmanship — the Rockettes are not just a dance company. They are a piece of American history.”

The Edison Ballroom — New York City’s Hidden Gem

Nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on West 47th Street, the Edison Ballroom is one of New York City’s most distinctive and storied event spaces. Originally part of the historic Hotel Edison — a beloved NYC landmark since 1931 — the ballroom exudes an effortless blend of Art Deco grandeur and modern sophistication that few venues in the world can match.

With its soaring ceilings, ornate architectural detailing, rich warm lighting, and intimate-yet-expansive footprint, the Edison Ballroom creates an atmosphere that is genuinely theatrical. It is a space that feels cinematic before a single centerpiece is placed or a single note is played. For guests, walking through its doors is an event in itself.

Whether you are planning an elegant corporate gala, a landmark charity ball, a lavish wedding reception, or an unforgettable Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the Edison Ballroom delivers on every count. Its flexible floor plan accommodates intimate dinners and grand celebrations alike, while its prime Midtown location — steps from Times Square and Broadway — makes it one of the most convenient and prestigious addresses in the city for hosting distinguished guests. Add in exceptional acoustics for live music and DJs, and a built-in sense of occasion, and you have a venue that simply elevates every event it hosts.

For the Rockette Alumnae Association’s 100th Anniversary Charity Ball, it was the only choice.

The Red Carpet & Grand Arrival at the Edison Ballroom

Expressway Music Takes the Stage

When the Rockette Alumnae Association set about assembling a team of entertainment professionals worthy of their centennial celebration, they turned to Expressway Music — and specifically to the company’s founder and celebrated DJ, Dave Swirsky.

Dave was hand-picked for this landmark event — a recognition of his reputation as one of the most talented, versatile, and sought-after DJs in the New York metropolitan area. With decades of experience performing at high-profile galas, weddings, corporate events, and celebrity celebrations, Dave brings an unmatched ability to read a room, build an atmosphere, and create moments that guests never forget. For an audience of accomplished, discerning Rockette alumnae who have spent their careers performing at the highest level, only the very best would do — and Dave Swirsky delivered magnificently.

After a beautiful dinner and a highly successful silent auction — which raised funds for the Rockette Alumnae Foundation including a generous $10,000 donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation — DJ Dave did what he does best: he brought the house down.

With 400+ guests filling the room — alumnae from every era of Rockette history, their families, and distinguished supporters — Dave opened the dance floor and kept it packed all night long. Guests poured onto the floor and even took to the stage, dancing, laughing, and celebrating 100 years of shared history in the most joyful way imaginable. It was pure magic.

Expressway Music Sound Tech Manny & DJ Dave Swirsky

The Expressway Music Open Air Photo Booth

No celebration of this magnitude would be complete without the Expressway Music Open Air Photo Booth — and it was, without question, one of the biggest hits of the evening. Featuring instant high-quality prints, custom event branding, and a sleek modern setup perfectly suited to the glamorous surroundings, the photo booth drew guests in all night long.

Women who had shared the stage at Radio City Music Hall now shared a frame — laughing, striking poses, and creating memories they will treasure for years. The Expressway Music Photo Booth doesn’t just take pictures; it creates moments.

Photographer Russell — Capturing Every Moment

Rounding out the Expressway Music team was our exceptionally talented professional photojournalistic photographer, Russell. Russ has an extraordinary gift for finding the soul of an event — the quiet glance, the joyful embrace, the triumphant moment on stage — and preserving it forever with the sensitivity and artistry of a true visual storyteller.

The Rockette Alumnae Association were absolutely thrilled with Russell’s work. His images capture not just what the evening looked like, but how it felt — the history, the emotion, the beauty, and the unbridled joy of 100 years worth celebrating. Below is just a handful of the stunning photographs Russ captured that unforgettable November night.

Expressway Music Pro Photographer Russell

Through Russell’s Lens

Celebrating 100 Years — Honorees, Alumnae & the $10,000 Tunnel to Towers Donation

An evening like this — steeped in history, overflowing with elegance, and electric with the joy of a century well-danced — reminds us exactly why we do what we do. Congratulations to the Rockette Alumnae Association on 100 magnificent years. Here’s to the next hundred.