The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation founded by Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman partnered with Kings Bowl for the third annual Charles Tillman Celebrity Pro BOWLer Tournament held at Kings Thursday, June 12 raising more than $118,000 for the foundation. The partnership with Kings Bowl has helped raise $230,000 in the past year for the foundation.
Celebrity guests in attendance included current and former Chicago Bears Charles Tillman, Rashied Davis, Isiah Frey, Kelvin Hayden, Lamarr Houston, Demontre Hurst, Tim Jennings, Johnny Knox, Shea McClellin, Ray McElroy, Jim McMahon, Sherrick McManis, Craig Steltz and C.J. Wilson.
teams composed of six people and a celebrity guest. Capgemini, Choose Chicago, Hilton Chicago, Kings Bowl, Knauz, Live Action Foundation, Miller Coors Town and Country, P&G, Ruwaldt Packing Company, Seven Eleven, Stephen Political Action Committee, and the Village of Rosemont.
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HOLLY HUNT Enterprises along with parent company, Knoll, hosted drinks and bites on the IO Urban Roofscape of the Godfrey Hotel Chicago to celebrate NeoCon 46. The guest list, reaching over 500 attendees, consisted of Interior Designers, Architects and Knoll representatives.
Attendees enjoyed ideal Chicago summer weather conditions while sampling passed hors d’oeuvres. The HOLLY HUNT showroom has been a fixture in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart since its introduction in 1983, recently the company celebrated its 31st Anniversary
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The second annual Arts Alliance Illinois benefit luncheon, “Voices of a Creative State,” welcomed more than 400 artists, creatives and civic + corporate leaders to the Palmer House Hilton, Monday, June 2, 2014. Highlights of the luncheon included a special keynote address by MacArthur “Genius” and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney and the presentation of Arts Alliance Illinois’ “Citizen Advocate” Award to Richard and Susan Kiphart in recognition of their vision and civic leadership in providing heightened visibility to the value of the arts. The event raised more than $275,000 to help the organization promote widespread support for the arts throughout the state.
Celebrating the strength and diversity of Illinois’ cultural sector, the luncheon was led by honorary co-chairs Governor Pat Quinn and Congressman Aaron Schock, both of whom spoke to the captive audience about the vital role the arts play in our communities and Illinois’ economy. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Executive Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company David Hawkanson and last year’s Citizen Advocate Award honoree Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.) also served as honorary co-chairs. Benefit Co-Chairs were Ken Pigott and Sylvia Neil and Event Planning Committee Chair was Julie Schmidt.
The event began at 11:30 am with a networking reception accompanied by music from the Chicago High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble. Immediately following, guests were ushered into the Palmer House Grand Ballroom where they were greeted by a gorgeous rendition of Vivaldi’s violin Concerto No. 1 in E major, “La Primavera” (Spring) from the Four Seasons, performed by Music Institute of Chicago student Serena Harnack on violin accompanied by Milana Pavchinskaya on piano. Arts Alliance Illinois Board Chair Kassie Davis then welcomed guests to the second annual luncheon before introducing Congressman Aaron Schock. Following Congressman Schock’s remarks, a short video was played featuring arts leaders from across the state of Illinois—including CSO’s President Deborah Rutter and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Director Mike Ross—sharing their thoughts on the power of arts advocacy and working together to advance support of the arts and for the Alliance.
co-chairs Ken Pigott and Sylvia Neil, alongside President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia College Chicago Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim, D.M.A., who paid tribute to the extraordinary work and dedication of both Richard and Susan Kiphart who were presented with the “Citizen Advocate” Award.
Steppenwolf Theatre Artistic Director Martha Lavey took the stage to introduce the event’s keynote speaker, her collaborator and friend, Tarell Alvin McCraney. McCraney, who was equally entertaining and inspiring, spoke about finding his own place in the community and the essential need for arts education. He shared his thoughts on the importance of feeling connected to others and to oneself through the arts and how the arts provide invaluable tools to help us persevere in the world.
Governor Pat Quinn also spoke to the fundamental necessity of the arts in Illinois before Arts Alliance Illinois Executive Director Ra Joy thanked the more than 400 guests for their continued support and commitment to arts education and arts advocacy.
