JOFFREY WOWS SPRING GALA CROWD!

How does one describe a magical evening like Friday night when the Joffrey Spring Gala was held at the Hilton Chicago? From beginning to end, the memory-making moments never stopped. First, guests arrived at the Auditorium Theater for a wine reception starting at 5:30 p.m. and the performance began at 6:30 p.m. Gala co-chairs Sandy Deromedi, Mary Jo Basler and Jay Franke welcomed the crowd and thanked the sponsors and artistic director Ashley Wheater and executive director Christopher Clinton Conway introduced the program which began with an inspiring video. The production was, in a word, breathtaking. I’ve followed the Joffrey dancers for a while now and I will tell you, they are a world-class ballet company and every time they dance, they are so much better than the time before. (If you haven’t gotten tickets for the Spring Series, DO IT NOW! You don’t have to be a dance aficionado to appreciate these thrilling performances. The program began with all of the Exelon Strobel Step-Up students performing "Groove", a fast paced, energetic piece that showcased these young dancers’ incredible skills. (They are brilliantly and passionately directed by former dancer Pierre Lockett.) Next up was our own Joffrey Ballet performing a pas de deux from “Reflections” and danced exquisitely by Christine Rocas and Temur Suluashvili. Then “Age of Innocence” choreographed by Edwaard Liang and danced by Derrick Agnoletti, Raul Casaola, Aaron Rogers and Mauro Villanueva. A haunting “Aria” was performed by Matthew Adamczyk and you could hear a pin drop in the audience with his skillful performance. “In the Middle Somewhat Elevated” was danced to perfection by Fabrice Calmels and Victoria Jaiani. This number was very modern and Pulp Fiction-esque in feel and had the audience enthralled. The closing piece – the highlight – was “Carousel A Dance.” With music by Richard Rodgers and choreographed by the genius Christopher Wheeldon, the company was at its peak. The clever and unique staging made the country fair come to life for everyone in the audience. It was danced by the gorgeous Victoria Jaiani and handsome Matthew Adamczyk with “friends” Mauro Villanueva, Allison Walsh, Elizabeth Hansen and Temur Suluashvili. It brought the audience to their feet as the dancers took bow after bow amid a waterfall of glittering confetti. It made me so proud to be a part of this incredible organization that I could almost bust. My husband and I were moved to tears… Photos from top right: Gala co-chairs Sandy Deromedi, Jay Franke and Mary Jo Basler; Exelon Strobel Step-Up students; Joffrey dancers taking their bows; Gala hostesses Jessica Steffenson, Astra Gamsjaeger, Heidi Keeling and Marjorie Habermann; Liz Ryan, Shawna Owen, Sophie Bross and Heather Webster; Pam Strobel with Jeff and Lisa Leiden; Julie Garwood and Julie Johnson; me and Jesus Salguiero; Nancy Bauer and Debbie Beitler; Kelly Dettman and Judy Pierpont; Sheryl Dyer and Alan Sax; Margaret O'Connor, Harold Ramis, Erica Ramis, Katherine Veach and Mayari Pritzker. 

On this night, we were fortunate enough to be picked up and driven to the theatre and gala in a 1960 Rolls Royce limousine with chauffeur courtesy of our friends Deb and John Gross. Now I know how Queen Elizabeth feels!!! Thanks so much Deb and John!! You made a special evening even MORE special! Photo: me and Christine Ott with the vintage Rolls Royce limo.
  
The Gala was held at the Hilton Chicago at 720 S. Michigan Ave. and guests were transported there via trolleys that were running constantly. Gala co-chairs Sandy Deromedi, Mary Jo Basler and Jay Franke thought of EVERYTHING and in this very tough economy brought in 950 guests and raised almost $1.2 million dollars this year for the Joffrey! This is simply amazing and I know how hard they all worked to make this happen! Huge kudos and thank you to Sandy, Mary Jo and Jay!! Presenting sponsor was Harris Private Bank and the dinner and performance was underwritten by Alphawood Foundation. Premier grand benefactors included Abbott Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Basler, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Deromedi, Mr. Fred Eychaner, Mr. Jay Franke and Mr. David Herro, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levy and J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation. Thank you all! Photos from top left: Richard and Kate Benson; Harriet and Irwin Ross.
 
There was a cocktail reception in the Normandie Lounge and then dinner and dancing by Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra in the Grand Ballroom. The Grand Ballroom has never looked more elegant thanks to the floral and décor efforts by Jonathan Ryan of “A Perfect Event.” It was simply breathtaking: There were two-foot-tall white floral arrangements composed of soaring calla lilies, amaryllis, peonies and hydrangeas placed on various tables in beautiful crystal vases. On other tables were chic, modern silver based lamps with white shades and then on the rest of the tables, were gorgeous small white and pale green flowers all set on custom made Fortuny linens. A dramatic touch were the apple green uplights on the second balcony highlighting all of the gilding and moldings. It was the crowning touch and even the giant crystal chandeliers seemed to sparkle a little brighter. Dinner began with smoked salmon, followed by filet mignon topped with an herb crust, truffle sauce, sautéed spinach, fingerling potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The dessert, an apple tatin surrounded by caramel sauce under a golden chocolate cage with fresh raspberries, was a delightful tribute to the Joffrey Ballet. Photos from top left: Angela Flenoy of Sara Lee and Sharon Ford; arriving at the Hilton; Linda Johnson Rice; decor by Jonathan Ryan of A Perfect Event; Marci Holzer and her darling family; delicious Joffrey dessert.   

We all danced until the wee hours and hated to say goodbye. Everyone was at their most elegant and I can’t wait to see what next year brings! Chuck and I were whisked back home in our vintage Rolls and then we turned back into pumpkins but were very happy pumpkins indeed! Hope to see you all there next year!!! Photos from top left: John Amato and Rhonda Sanderson; Greg Hyder, Michelle Desjardins and Bob Golant. For more photos from this magical evening, click here!

Saturday night we attended the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Ball at the Civic Opera House as guests of Kristina and Mike McGrath. It was a packed audience and the rooms were beautifully decorated by Kehoe Designs with massive hanging baskets of flowers and six-foot-tall florals on the auction tables. They had a silent and live auction which raised almost $250,000 with the entire event raising over $2.9 million for cancer research. This is the first time I’ve seen these wireless remote bidding devices that were used but they were very effective. Bidders could watch their bids on the giant live screen and bid from the comfort of their tables throughout the course of the evening. For the live auction, a behind-the-scenes tour with Katie Couric and breakfast at Tiffany’s went for $22,000. Mike and Kristina McGrath donated a 2010 Lexus IS 250 convertible with your choice of colors which is the first of its kind in Chicago. It sold for $50,000. Lucky Mike also won one of the raffle prizes which was a gorgeous diamond and platinum ring from Tiffany’s. A silver lab puppy was auctioned off for $25,000 to United Airlines president Glen Tilton and wife Jackie. An Indianapolis 500 racing package with a full racing suit from Danica Patrick sold for $32,000. Haity and Jim McNerney, CEO of Boeing, were event chairs. CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo was the emcee for the evening and Natalie Cole gave an amazing performance. Natalie has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and needs a kidney. My tablemates informed me they saw her last year and this year she looks much frailer. We wish her the best. Next year’s chairs will be Victoria and Gary Holdren. Photos from top left: Discovery Ball at the Civic Opera House; dining on stage at the Civic Opera House; Kristina and Mike McGrath with a Tiffany's model; bidder's board; United Airlines president Glen Tilton and wife Jackie with their new puppy; performer Natalie Cole; 2010 Discovery Ball co-chairs Victoria and Gary Holdren; Shauna and Barry Montgomery; David and Julie Lampert. For more photos from this event, click here! 

There are lots more fun events coming up and I want to share a few with you. The first party is hosted by Graham Kostic from “Glossed and Found.” It will be held on Thursday, April 30th, at Galleria Unico from 6 to 8 p.m. to honor their spotlighted profiles. Honorees are Jessa Brinkmeyer, Toni Canada, Lisa Trunda, Harold Zimmerman and moi. Space is limited so please RSVP to Rachel@glossedandfound.com if you can join us. The second event, Art Rocks, will take place on May 1st and is hosted by Cynthia Rowley, Melissa and Henrique Kerch, Claudia Kleiner, Christine Sanderson, Kasia Koniar, Tracey Mayer and moi aussi. This is the official after party for Art Chicago and space fills up fast. Enjoy local paintings, digital art, specialty drinks and mingle with Chicago’s hottest fashion and art scene. RSVP to www.Factio-Magazine.com/artrocks. The final fun and exciting party will be the premier of the cult classic movie Star Trek on May 8th with a private screening at 600 N. Michigan Ave. theatres. Tickets are $100 and will benefit Columbia College. They can be purchased online by clicking on this link. Doors open at 5 p.m., movie starts at 5:30 p.m. and the after-party at Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar will start at 8 p.m. There will be a special introduction by Trekkie Richard Roeper. This is a Chicago Link Productions event so you just know it will be loads of fun! Photos from top right: Glossed & Found logo; Art Rocks invite; Star Trek poster.
  
I hope to see you around our wonderful town and I also hope that someday spring will arrive……in case you’ve forgotten, this is what it looks like! This photo was taken last year in Harbor Country in Michigan during the Celebration of Home and Gardens Tour which benefits Heartland Alliance. This year it will take place on Saturday, June 6th. For ticket info, please call (312) 660-1319. It is a wonderful way to spend the day and you’ll bump into a lot of friends too… :) And now, if you feel like you’re swimming with sharks in this terrible economy, take a tip from our little friend and see how it will all work out in the end. 

Love,
Candace 🙂