Everyone’s fingers were crossed before Saturday night’s Ravinia Festival gala benefit evening. After bouts of inclement weather in the past, organizers held their breath for beautiful weather conditions. Somebody was listening, for the gorgeous blue-sky-and-sunshine weather was on everyone’s lips as they arrived at Ravinia Park to celebrate with a $600-per-person dinner and concert.
Greeting guests were Jean McClung, chairman of Ravinia’s Board, Joan S. Freehling and Judy Newton, gala co-chairs, and John A. Edwardson, chairman of the Ravinia Festival Association and president and CEO of United Airlines, sponsor of the event.
Dinner for the 1,000 guests was served under a huge white tent, accented with soft pastel roses of yellow, lavender and pink. The meal began with smoked salmon and greens followed by herb-crusted loin of veal, and was capped off by fresh blueberries and lime sabayon.
After dinner, the black-tie crowd emerged from the “Gala Marquee” to wend their way through the crowd gathered on Ravinia’s grounds to the pavilion to hear coloratura diva Kathleen Battle and Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky perform. To much applause, the two were accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by Ravinia Music Director Christoph Eschenbach.
Back under the Gala Marquee, a champagne-and-dessert reception finished the evening.
– Dinner under the Big Top at Lincoln Park Zoo Friday night turned into an over-the-top evening called “Cirque Du Zooleil.”
Benefit-goers know when they attend an event chaired by Donna LaPietra they will get something fun, and fun is what she delivered at the 1998 Zoo Ball.
Strolling performers–jugglers, fire-eaters and stilt walkers–welcomed the guests as they arrived for the cocktail hour on the zoo grounds. A carnival midway awaited, with games galore, along with a face-painter (who got a lot of takers), a balloon sculptor and plenty of food–cotton candy, mini corn-dogs, warm pretzels and pina colada snow cones!
Dinner was served by the swan pond, and guests were entertained throughout the evening by magicians, but the highlight by far was a male living sculpture duo from Canada who performed feats of acrobatics that defy description. The swans have never heard such hoots and hollers.
Chilean sea bass and barbecued beef tenderloin were served, while sponsor Lincoln Mercury presented a check for $25,000 to co-chair Denise Stefan.
– A brunch at the Drake Hotel Sunday morning netted more than $35,000 for the Volunteers of America of Illinois, the highest sum ever raised in this annual event’s five year history.
About 350 people were on hand for “Jazzin July”, including Frances Pace Barnes, president and CEO of the VOA of Illinois;, emcee Mica Materre of WGN-TV (who subbed for a vacationing Merri Dee); and event co-chairs Bonnie Carr and Earnestine LaCour.
After perusing a silent auction and noshing on poached salmon and other buffet items, guests honored Dr. Darryl and Renee Harris as adoptive parents of the year.
A raffle of two round-trip airline tickets, among other items, helped raise the proceeds, which will benefit the organization’s enrichment services and foster parent programs.
