There’s something about Memorial Day weekend that flips the switch from spring to summer in Chicago. The grills are fired up, patios are packed, and the lakefront comes alive with bikers, boaters and beachgoers soaking up the long-awaited sunshine. But amid the celebrations and unofficial start of the season, the holiday also offers a meaningful reminder to pause and honor the brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Whether spent at a parade, a backyard barbecue or a quiet moment of reflection, Memorial Day marks both a patriotic tribute and summer’s grand arrival. Hope you had a great one!
After decades spent crisscrossing Chicago’s glittering gala scene, hundreds (and yes, hundreds) of fundraisers, fêtes and over-the-top soirées with Chuck by my side, I’ve developed a bit of a sixth sense for what makes an event truly unforgettable. I’m often asked to name my favorites, which feels a little like choosing a favorite child. Truth is, every event has its own magic. But when it comes to pure spectacle, boundary-pushing creativity and that electric “you had to be there” energy, four standouts always rise to the top: The Joffrey Ballet, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Lookingglass Theatre Company and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. These are the nights where expectations are flipped, imaginations run wild and anything can happen. Need proof? Let’s talk about this year’s MCA ArtEdge Gala…
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s annual ArtEdge gala returned April 11, transforming the museum into a Caribbean-inspired celebration of music, art and community. More than 450 guests attended the event, themed Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón, inspired by the museum’s current exhibition.
Throughout the evening, guests had a chance to check out the exhibit which features 40 artists and explores the cultural, political and spiritual impact of Caribbean music and dance. On view through Sept. 20, the exhibit set the tone for a night of curated cuisine, creative cocktails and immersive design, capped by a high-energy performance from Grammy winner Macy Gray.
From the moment attendees arrived, the scene set the tone. Frost Chicago lined the approach with a row of towering ten-foot golden palms, guiding guests toward a custom-built tented experience. Inside, HMR Designs extended the atmosphere with lush faux tropical greenery, a terracotta-style patio aesthetic and oversized fringed chandeliers glowing overhead.
The transparent structure framed the Chicago skyline, with the John Hancock Center serving as a dramatic backdrop.Museum of Contemporary Art Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn and Board Chair Bill Silverstein welcomed guests with an onstage toast before the evening’s centerpiece performance.
Gray took the stage with an all-star band led by Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, performing favorites from her breakout album “How Life Is” and other hits that kept the crowd dancing.The band featured a seasoned lineup that included Brent Woods (Gene Simmons Band, John Waite), Eliot Lorango (Jerry Cantrell, Diplo) and Mike Mangan of The Cult.
By the end of the night, the skyline-framed tent had turned into a lively global dance floor. Proceeds from ArtEdge support the MCA’s mission to provide resources for artists, expand public programming and bring new exhibitions to life. And, according to insiders, it was the FIRST time the MCA had dancing at an event!
More than 700 supporters slipped into their favorite red shoes and gathered for a night focused on hope and generosity as Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana hosted its annual Gala April 25, raising nearly $1.7 million to help families stay close to their hospitalized children.
The event took place at The Geraghty and was presented by HAVI and Martin Brower, bringing together community leaders, supporters and families whose lives have been touched by the organization’s work. CEO Holly Buckendahl and Board Chair Spero Droulias led the evening and spoke about how changing trends in pediatric healthcare continue to reinforce the need for family-centered care.
As the organization approaches its 50th anniversary, Buckendahl thanked supporters whose contributions allow families to focus on their child’s treatment instead of travel and lodging challenges. The program shined a light on families whose journeys began in the NICU, including Jeanna and Robert Polacek and their daughters, Mia and Madison.
For six years, the Polacek family has relied on Ronald McDonald House following Mia’s birth with a severe genetic disorder. Their story illustrated how staying steps away from the hospital helped them remain together during long treatments and recovery.
The evening also recognized the top 10 general managers from McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for their fundraising efforts. Through the Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House program, restaurants across the region helped generate more than $3.54 million in 2025 with the support of McDonald’s customers. Those funds support six Ronald McDonald Houses, four Family Rooms and the Care Mobile program serving families across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
Guests celebrated the successful evening with music, dancing and late-night McDonald’s snacks, along with auctions that offered once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Among the highlights were a round of golf at Shoreacres Golf Club with Cole Kmet and T. J. Edwards of the Chicago Bears, as well as a stay at The Plaza Hotel paired with tickets to a live taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon hosted by Jimmy Fallon. By the end of the night, the nearly $1.7 million raised ensured that families facing medical crises will continue to find comfort, connection and a home away from home when they need it most.
PAWS Chicago’s Animal Magnetism benefit returned to Morgan Manufacturing April 10 with more than 650 guests in the West Loop. This 19th annual event raised a record $315,000 to support the lifesaving work of PAWS Chicago on behalf of homeless pets.
Presented by RWE Design Build and hosted by the organization’s Professional Board, the evening drew a mix of emerging leaders, longtime supporters and plenty of well-behaved canine companions. WFLD/FOX-32’s Jake Hamilton and Anita Blanton served as emcees while Danielle Kroloff and Ritu Shah were the event’s co-chairs.
Guests enjoyed a lineup of tasting stations from some of the city’s most popular restaurants. Gene & Georgetti and Formento’s leaned into their Italian steakhouse roots while Hubbard Inn offered globally inspired selections. Cedar Palace and Bombay Eats added Mediterranean and Indian flavors to the mix. PB&J: Pizza, Beer & Jukebox kept things casual with comfort food favorites and Black Dog Gelato provided dessert.
The auction lineup had something for every level of bidder and included a seven-night stay in a beachfront condo in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, a five-night all-inclusive stay for two at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya and, on the local side, a private in-home dinner for four prepared by Mary Clare Fitzgerald of House of Fitzgerald.
Dogs had their moments too. A treat buffet sponsored by Kismet, custom pet portraits created Anna Dixon and Sean Anglim, engraved dog tags courtesy of Amanda Tiberi and a doggy daycare sponsored by Bond Vet, kept tails wagging and owners smiling.
A few adoptable animals made appearances during the evening, including Eleanor, a two-year-old nursing mom undergoing heartworm treatment, and Walter, a three-month-old terrier mix who slept through most of the action.
The program included the presentation of Animal Welfare Leadership Awards to four longtime supporters. Manu Puri was recognized for more than 20 years of volunteer service; Joel Cohen was honored for strengthening the organization’s technology and operations; Dr. Paula West, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon, was acknowledged for her work treating complex injuries and Erik Harssema, of DLA Piper, was recognized for his pro bono legal support.
The evening also spotlighted a period of growth for PAWS Chicago which recently acquired a new suburban property in Highland Park, Illinois. The facility will expand the organization’s capacity for intake, medical care and adoptions while extending its reach to communities beyond the city.
A portion of the funds raised at Animal Magnetism will support this effort as plans move forward. Over the past year, PAWS Chicago has cared for more than 27,000 homeless and at-risk pets, helped nearly 5,000 animals find homes and maintained a save rate close to 98 percent. The organization also completed more than 21,000 spay and neuter surgeries, continuing its long-running effort to reduce overpopulation across the city.
Special thanks to North Shore City Lifestyle mag for featuring me in a beautifully written article by Cat Rolfes, “The Art of Lifting Others.” (Read it here) I was honored to be included with Laura Hendricks.
Congrats to the Service Club of Chicago on yet another wonderfully successful fundraiser, the annual Spring (Hat) Luncheon held May 20 at the Ritz. Co-chaired by Claudine Schramko and Lauren Brynjelsen, the event was filled with beautiful spring fashions and oh-so many elegant hats. Sadly, I had to miss this year since I was under the weather, but thanks to social media, I feel like I was there! Thanks to all who posted images of this special day and thanks for letting me use them for this post! Love this sisterly group who gives back in so many ways.
Lookingglass Theatre Company raised more than $1 million at its lively and creative “Come As You Aren’t Ball,” a costumed benefit celebrating the art of costume design and the company’s 38-year tradition of bold, ensemble-created work.
Co-chaired by founding ensemble member and actor David Schwimmer and board member Nancy Ali, the May 2 event welcomed 350 guests to Morgan MFG, transforming the venue into a creative showcase of “character couture” inspired by decades of Lookingglass productions. Guests arrived in costumes inspired by past Lookingglass Theatre shows, while Schwimmer embraced the theme in a full leather pirate ensemble complete with a tricorn hat, channeling Billy Bones from the 2015 world premiere of “Treasure Island.”
Throughout the evening, Schwimmer emphasized the company’s deep sense of family, thanking artists, board members, staff, volunteers and supporters, and underscoring that Lookingglass is built on collaboration rather than individual spotlight. He noted that the ensemble “functions as a unified creative engine where storytelling is always collective.”
The night’s program blended celebration with reflection on the company’s impact. Artistic Director Kasey Foster highlighted Lookingglass as a 33-member ensemble dedicated to invention, collaboration and transformation, describing it as both a “creative laboratory and a civic institution.”
She emphasized the organization’s expanding reach across Chicago through education programs, new community initiatives and outdoor work bringing theater into neighborhoods where many residents are experiencing live performance for the first time. Foster also noted the company’s continued artistic momentum, with original productions gaining national recognition and traveling beyond Chicago, reinforcing Lookingglass as a leader in new American theater.
Special guests and entertainment added to the immersive atmosphere included emcee/comedian Jack McBrayer, actor Harry J. Lennix, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley and Paper Magazine Editorial Director Mickey Boardman, along with NBC Chicago’s “Chicago Today” host Matt Rodrigues, who hosted the costume contest. Performances by Le Gateau Chocolat and DJ Lady D blended drag, cabaret, opera, theater and live art into a dynamic celebration.
Honorees included Wintrust (Corporate Leadership Award), Steve and Lorrayne Weiss (Arts Champion Award) and architect John Morris (Service to the Arts Tribute). In remarks honoring Morris, Schwimmer highlighted his role in shaping transformative theatrical spaces like the Lookingglass’ that he designed to “adapt and transform with each production.”
Schwimmer also paid tribute to the late Brenda Langstraat Bui, CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, dedicating the evening’s first performance to her memory and her lifelong love of books, recognizing her generosity and lasting civic impact.
Throughout the evening, Schwimmer and Foster both reflected on Lookingglass’s evolution from its founding in 1988 by Northwestern graduates into a Tony Award–winning company known for innovation, imagination and risk-taking. Foster described the company as a cultural hub, a training ground for imagination, and a “public utility for the soul,” spotlighting its role in strengthening community connection through live performance.
A standout moment of the evening was an immersive donor experience, in which supporter Carolyn Ravichandran was invited into the costume design process, experiencing a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and collaboration that define Lookingglass productions. Her glow-in-the-dark design by costume designer Mara Blumenfeld brought the crowd to its feet. Schwimmer noted that such experiences reflect the company’s mission to break down the boundary between artist and audience, allowing patrons to engage directly with the creative process.
Seen in the crowd were former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Lee and Sandy Golub, Billy Dec, Rick and Deann Bayless, Bob and Joan Clifford, Alderman William Hall, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Alderman Brian Hopkins, Danny and Ann Wirtz and many others.
Chicagoans are invited to lace up their sneakers and rally for an important cause when the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois hosts its annual Walk for Kidneys on Sunday, June 7, at Diversey Harbor. The family-friendly event brings together patients, caregivers, medical professionals and supporters in a united effort to raise awareness and funds for kidney disease research, education and patient services.
This year’s event honors the memory of Howard Frum and celebrates the success and continuing good health of Dr. Joaquin Brieva, a kidney recipient. His wife, Jennifer Sutton Brieva, shares her thoughts about his life-saving experience.
“As Team Joaquin celebrates our fifth year participating in the Walk for Kidneys, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. This year marks Joaquin’s fourth year since receiving the extraordinary gift of a living kidney donation from our angel donor Stephanie Andersen, who is once again traveling from Michigan to walk alongside us. We also walk in loving memory of one of our best friends and steadfast supporters, Howard Frum, whose generosity, friendship, and annual sponsorship of our Team Joaquin shirts helped make this tradition possible.”
Kidney disease remains amajor public health issue, affecting millions of Americans, many of whom are unaware they are at risk. Events like Walk for Kidneys aim to increase awareness while fostering a strong sense of community and hope among patients and families navigating diagnosis, dialysis and transplantation.
Participation is free, although walkers are encouraged to fundraise individually or as part of a team. Incentive prizes, including event merchandise and other gifts, are available for participants who meet fundraising milestones.
For registration information, fundraising details or sponsorship opportunities, visit National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.
Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band are bringing the nation’s ONLY ticketed Gary Sinise concert to Cantigny Park in Wheaton Saturday, July 11 for the “Rockin’ For Our Vets America 250” benefit supporting disabled veterans and military families.
There will be lots of cool food vendors, surprise performances including American Idol’s HunterGirl and Chicago’s own, the beloved Molly Callinan, onstage beside Gary, as always.
Tickets are only $50! I hope to see you there! All info here! We wouldn’t miss this!! Love him.
In just two weeks, The Joffrey Ballet brings “Eugene Onigen” to the Lyric Opera stage. Experience the Chicago premiere of this richly human ballet of love, loss and redemption, choreographed by Yuri Possokhov with music by Ilya Demutsky, June 4–14 at the Lyric Opera House. (All info here!)
And, last but not least, special thanks to the legendary journalist/radio host Rick Kogan, for having me on as his only contributor to the fabulous WGN- Radio show, “After Hours with Rick Kogan.” Catch him (almost) every Sunday from 5-7 pm, unless sports programming takes the dial. Please enjoy our latest segment here!
Thanks so much for coming along for the ride! I hope you’ve enjoyed the content in Chicago’s first and longest running lifestyle blog! Here are some happenings that I’m looking forward to that I will be covering for you: Opening of the Obama Center, opening of the new restaurant NAIA, the Joffrey Ballet’s Celebration party; opening night of the Joffrey’s “Eugene Onegin“; Boys & Girls Clubs’ Summer Ball; Shakespeare Theatre’s 40th anniversary gala; Chicago Lights Gala; Gilda’s Club Award dinner honoring Lee Golub and Grant DePorter; Lincoln Park Zoo Ball; PAWS Chicago’s Beach Party and the Ravinia Gala and so much MORE!
Enjoy the beginning of many delightful days ahead in Chicago- it’s the season we wait for all year long!
Love, as always,
Candace 🙂
Candace@CandidCandace.com
