Last Thursday’s “An Intimate Evening of Cabaret with Catherine Malfitano” was intimate indeed, with 80 people turning out in the cozy setting of The Casino on East Delaware Place.
The Piven Theatre Workshop of Evanston presented the evening, which was a fundraiser to help benefit the workshop’s scholarships and outreach program that is affiliated with the Off the Street Club.
Lyric conductor Robert Tweten accompanied the world-class talent Malfitano, a soprano currently performing Madama Butterfly at the Lyric Opera, through a program of songs by Kurt Weill and others. Sandwiched between her performance were cocktails and a buffet. Tickets to the black-tie soiree were $250 per person.
Founded a quarter-century ago by the artistic directors Byrne and Joyce Piven, the theater has helped spawn such talents as John and Joan Cusack and the Piven’s own son, Jeremy (from TV’s “Ellen”).
– Coming up: It’s not too late to buy a ticket for AIDSCARE’s Brazilian bash, “Carnival 98,” to be held Feb. 20. Marche, 833 W. Randolph St., will take on a Brazilian air; hot music from Maximilian and Samba Samba 2000 will be featured. A silent auction and dinner will complete the black-tie evening (you can also wear costumes and masks). The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person. Money raised goes to providing support for people with AIDS. Call 773-935-4663 for information.
– The board of trustees of the DuSable Museum of African-American History is presenting its annual “Night of 100 Stars” benefit gala at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Westin River North Hotel, 320 N. Dearborn St. The night will feature the Chicago African-American History Makers Awards. The evening includes a cabaret cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, dancing and the awards ceremony. Tickets are $125 per person. Call 773-947-0600, ext. 241.
– On March 13, the Chicago Bar Foundation is hosting its spring Jazz Gala at the University Club, 76 E. Monroe Ave. The gala begins at 5 p.m. with a reception and dinner at the club, followed at 8 p.m. by a jazz concert by the Illinois Jacquet Big Band and the Marian McPartland Trio at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $250 per person for the dinner and concert. Call 312-554-2069 for information.
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