The Scene Around Town, Across Town is a recap/compilation of events that took place in Chicago in May worth noting.
Event: Cinema/Chicago Gala
Date: Wednesday, May 24
Where: Loews Chicago Hotel
The scoop: Academy Award®-winning actress Helen Mirren and Academy Award®-winning director Taylor Hackford were honored at Cinema/Chicago’s Spring Gala, celebrating their illustrious film careers. The evening included a cocktail reception, musical entertainment by rock violinists SIRENS, silent auction and an intimate conversation led by Bill Kurtis. At the conclusion of the evening, Mirren and Hackford each were awarded the Gold Hugo for Career Achievement.
Taylor Hackford, Helen Mirren and Bill Kurtis
Co-chairs Gigi Pritzker, Helen Melchior and Candace Jordan
Taylor Hackford and Helen Mirren
Helen Melchoir, Candace Jordan, Taylor Hackford, Helen Mirren, Gigi Pritzker
Event: Noyane Preview Party
Date: May 1
Where: Noyane at Conrad Chicago Hotel
The scoop: More than 100 guests were treated to a first look at Noyane, the new rooftop restaurant atop the Conrad Chicago. Noyane, which means hidden roof in Japanese, provided stunning Chicago skyline views, while guests enjoyed inventive cocktails from Beverage Director Michael Fawthrop, contemporary Japanese passed bites and food stations from Chef Jordan Dominguez and World-Renowned Chef Richard Sandoval. Entertainment included a water color artist creating personalized portraits, a traditional koto player and fire dancer.
Tod Chambers, Chef Richard Sandoval
Steven Ostrowski, Jill Badlotto, Heidy Best, Onasis Odelmo
Victoria Kent, Ximena Larkin
Event: The Magnificent Mile Annual Gala
Date: Friday, May 12,
Where: Hyatt Regency Chicago
The scoop: The Magnificent Mile Association welcomed a record 960 guests to their annual Gala, “Holiday in Havana.” The theme for this year’s gala inspired a bold color scheme and immersive décor where guests enjoyed custom cigar rolling, photo opportunities alongside a vintage 1950s Chevy Cadillac Eldorado, gaming provided by Rivers Casino, live music by Dr. Bombay and more. The 3 course dinner was followed by dessert stations featuring The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Labriola Ristorante and Café, Stan’s Donuts, Fannie May Candy, and Angelo’s Gelato.
John Chikow, Anna Valencia, Ruben Ruban, Richard “Rick” Simon
Wade Harold, Cindy Rodriguez, Jim Vozella, Mark Robinson, Joey Robinson
Event: Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation Luncheon
Ellen Frank and Paul Dalio
Date: Wednesday, May 10
Where: The Drake Hotel
The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation welcomed nearly 200 friends and supporters as well as a distinguished panel of experts in the field of Bipolar Disorder to its 11th Annual Chicago Medical Briefing Luncheon. Paul Dalio, writer and director of the 2016 film Touched with Fire, for his commitment to raising awareness for Bipolar Disorder, was presented with the Shining Star Award, the Foundation’s highest honor. he Medical Briefing Luncheon was chaired by Cynthia Curry, Ilene Greenfield, Marla London, Abby O’Neil and Mamie Walton, with Kathy Katz, Leslie Kennedy, Helen Melchior and Amy Morro serving as Honorary Chairs.
Event: Hennessy V.S x Modern Notoriety x adidas Tango
Date: May 26
Where: 1st Ward Events
The scoop: The Adidas Tango and Modern Notoriety release event for the new Adidas Tango soccer apparel line held in Chicago included a live soccer freestyle demonstration and performances by Valee and Femdot. Chicago Fire soccer players Dax McCarty, Drew Conner, Arturo Alvarez, and Joao Meira were in attendance.
Event: 23rd Annual Spring Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 11,
Where: Hilton Chicago
The scoop: The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center hosted its 23rd Annual Spring Luncheon co-chaired by Catherine King and Marianne Berger with $100,000K raised. The seated lunch featured speaker Mel Robbins, one of the most sought after motivational speakers of our time, who shared her productivity tool for getting things done, called the 5 Second Rule.
Event: Merit School of Music Gala 2017
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Ramsey Lewis and family
Date: Thursday May 4
Where: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
The scoop: Merit School of Music’s annual gala with nearly 400 guests in attendance, raising more than $1 million, honored two leading supporters of the arts and education: Joe and Madeleine Glossberg, along with internationally renowned composer, pianist and Chicago jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. The Glossbergs were honored with the Alice S. Pfaelzer Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts. Joe Glossberg, a high- profile Chicago financial advisor with a passion for jazz, has been an active and generous Merit Trustee for more than 20 years. He is now a Merit Life Trustee. Mrs. Glossberg has joined her husband in supporting Merit through committee membership for galas, sponsoring Merit’s programs and advocating for Merit through her community involvement. Ramsey Lewis received Merit School of Music’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Lewis has long been involved with Merit as an active member of its National Advisory Board, offering master classes to students and championing Merit’s efforts
Toni-Marie Montgomery and Marguerite Griffin
Kevin Buzard, Elizabeth Nolan, Francia Harrington and Vern Broders
Debbie Chizewer, Ryan and Amy Boonstra and Merit Trustee Jennifer Montague
Tom Leopold and Neil Bluhm
Brian Fisher and Ciere Welton
Joey and Blake Breslow, Martha and Dr. Anthony King
Charlie and Caroline Huebner
photo credits: Timothy M. Schmidt; Nicholas James Photo; Timmy Samuel; Robin Subar; Onasis Odelmo; Rush Photo Group; Jasmin Shah
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