Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Joffrey Ballet’s residence in Chicago means that some extra special stops had to be pulled out for the special evening. The Gala, co-chaired by Elizabeth Yntema and Noren Ungaretti, was as fun as they hinted.
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Due to the NFL draft taking place in Chicago later this month, this year’s performance was moved from the ctioctditorium Theater to Cadillac Palace Theatre. Gents decked out in their tuxedos, ladies swaying in their ball gowns got the night started in the lobby of the Palace Theater at the Moet champagne reception prior to the performances. As the lights began to flicker, it was time to take our seats in the theater. The guest list featured a combination of Chicago’s Power 100 meet’s Crains Who’s Who, major philanthropic donors plus a sampling of Chicago stealth wealth!
The opening performance, an homage to the dance company’s founder, Gerald Arpino, featured a flashback video of the Joffrey Ballet at the Ed Sullivan Theater performing Viva Vivaldi. The piece choreographed by Arpino was then performed onstage by some current Joffrey Ballet dancers to rousing applause. Presenting sponsor BMO Harris Private Bank’s Zach Lazar, who is also chairman of the Joffrey’s Board of Directors along with Executive Director Greg Cameron, Women’s Board chair Liz sharp and the co-chairs, welcomed guests and thanked sponsors.
It was indeed an assortment of performance selections as the next act featured students of Joffrey Academy of dance, dressed in multicolored unitards, performing Windy Sand.
Dressed in traditional Indian tunics, the students from the Joffrey Ballet’s community engagement program crushed it with their bollywood inspired performance, here. Two other pieces performed by the company’s danced before the evening’s performance portion culminated with In Creases choreographed by 27-year old resident choreographer for New York City Ballet Justin Peck, and Liturgy from celebrated choreographer Christopher Wheeldon who received glowing reviews of his recently premiered American In Paris, in New York City. A small video tribute to Burt Kaplan, donor and champion of Joffrey Ballet, who passed in 2011, was played and his wife Anne a grand benefactor sponsor was in attendance.
Performance over, it was time to eat, drink and get merry on the dance floor as guests headed over to the Hilton Chicago in trolleys.
Making their way to the grand ballroom, greeted by the young dancers and each welcomed at the receiving line by Noren, Elizabeth and Greg Cameron.
Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra had guests working off the lobster salad, filet and desert, dancing to the hits on the dance floor with Joffrey dancers.
It was definitely a night fitting of the theme “Be Moved.” Joffrey Ballet Board of Direnctors members Pamela Roland Devos, Fred Eychaner, Elizabeth Yntema and Mark Ferguson were some of the sponsors for the evening.
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