*Disclaimer* what happens at Shedd Blu, stays at Shedd Blu especially dance offs in the middle of the makeshift dance floor. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the party and what led to said dance off. On Saturday July 25, Shedd Aquarium’s Auxiliary Board hosted their annual soirée BLU “Frog Wild!” co-chaired by Alexis Geocaris Sutton, Jay Healy and Christina Talarico, going on to raise $415,000 up from last year’s $400,000.
- BLU 2015 Co-Chairs: Jay Healy,Christina Talarico, Alexis Geocaris Sutton
- Shedd Aquarium’s Auxiliary Board
- Guests, Claudine Tambuatco, Shedd Aquarium’s Auxiliary Board President David Trace, Jessica Mayberry, Gregory Curtis
The festivities started at 6pm with a VIP reception where guests had the chance to see the Amphibians exhibit and take in music by NBC The Voice’s John Martin. As the night got underway and more guests began to arrive, first getting their photos snapped to take home later that evening, the aquarium was buzzing with activity. Whether it was cooling off with libations from the open bar, taking in the Chicago skyline or getting a close up look at the various animals being carried around by the staff, the over 1,000 guests in attendance were entertained. Then it was time for the aquatic show, emceed by Ken Ramirez, Shedd’s Animal Care & Training Advisor and the paddle raise with funds raised supporting Shedd’s conservation mission, including animal rescue and rehabilitation programs – caring for animals at home and around the world.
The aquatic show did not disappoint, though I wished the dolphin act went a bit longer. Adorable Cruz the Sea Lion, beluga whales, Magellanic penguins all made the scene to lots of ouuus, ahhhhs, squeals and applause from the audience.
After the show, we moved upstairs to explore the Waters of the World galleries, eat from the more than 20 of Chicago’s premier restaurants set up throughout (you can never go wrong w a boa situation at your party), mix and mingle, as well as bidding on silent auction items; The VIP Lily Pad Lounge guests enjoyed chicken and grits from Honey Butter Fried Chicken, yellowfin tuna tataki from Filini Bar and Restaurant and KOVAL Distillery drinks.
Related: Best Dressed On The Scene Shedd Blu
As the sun went down and the skyline illuminated, a special performance on the Lakeside Terrace by the fire troupe Pyrotechniq dazzled the crowd before Artbeat Live’s Elliott From went on to create a six-foot Chicago Blackhawks portrait in minutes, fueled by the crowd and the Blackhawks goal song-Chelsea Dagger.
- Artbeat Live’s Elliott From
Now it was really time to kick the party up another notch as DJ KJ got behind the decks and song after song kept being the jam ?, suffice it to say, a dance off happened and the winner? Well you had to be there.
After all that dancing, one needed some energy and respite from the 4.5″ shoes and it came in the form of delicious treats from More Cupcakes, Stan’s Donuts and clutch were the Toyota flats that were passed out ?. After the “show” was the after-party, at Filini Bar at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, where guests that still had some gas left in the tank were driven via bus. I even spotted winner of the VIP ticket giveaway, Danielle Carrier enjoying the evening.
- Lauren Burkart, Danielle Carrier
If you missed BLU this year, make a note on your calendar not to miss it next year.
[new_royalslider id=”73″]Photo credit: Toni Graves/SociaLifeChicago; Shedd Aquarium/Heidi Zeiger
*UPDATE*: The fundraising amount from last year’s Shedd Blu was $400,000 not $318,000 as previously stated and it has been updated.
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