The dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater had their new home almost all to themselves on Thursday night. Which meant it was time to break in the pristine rehearsal studio and dance – with a disc jockey spinning hip-hop and disco music.

Also on hand were the architects of the building, Natan Bibliowicz and Carolyn Iu. They stood on the sidelines for a few minutes, then ventured a twirl or two.

“It would just be a building without them,” Ms. Iu said, pointing to the jubilant and jumping dancers.

On the third floor of the new Joan Weill Center for Dance, Artistic Director Judith Jamison entertained friends and supporters in her office (but not far removed from the real action of the party -a television screen showed live video from the rehearsal studio). She showed Vivian and Phillip Ford a dance-themed work of art on her shelf – a painted shoebox inscribed with thoughts of the artist, whose mother would not allow her to dance.

Everyone at this party had permission to dance, from students at the Ailey School to Ailey’s executive director, Sharon Gersten Luckman. Board member Marion Lenihan boogied with a childhood friend, David Bowen, while chairman emeritus Stanley Plesent was content to watch.

“It’s a lot to process in two days,” company member Renee Robinson said when asked about the new building. The dancers had just a couple of days off from their three-month tour to participate in the building opening. Tomorrow they’ll be back on stage in Davis, Calif., before the tour continues to Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, and Missouri. “Right now I’m assimilating what I can, while still keeping focused on work,” Ms. Robinson said.