Ballerinas in striking poses welcomed guests Saturday night at the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s Spring Gala.
The black-tie ball, held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, raised about $600,000 for the ballet company. Earlier in the evening, guests attended the ballet at the Auditorium Theatre, where artistic director and co-founder Gerald Arpino recognized Mayor Richard M. Daley and his wife, Maggie, and introduced the new chairman of the ballet’s board of directors, C. Steven McMillan of Sara Lee Corp.
Then it was on to the hotel for dancing and dining. The tables were decorated with roses of every hue. Dinner was filet mignon and flourless chocolate cake.
Chairperson Janet Helman thanked the event’s underwriters, Arthur Andersen, Abbott Laboratories, the Duchossois Family Foundation, and Northern Trust Co. Tickets to the gala were $350 per person.
– Spago was overflowing with avid Oscar-telecast watchers Sunday night. The event, hosted by WGN-Ch.9’s Larry Potash and Paul Konrad, was a joint venture of Spago and Chicago Magazine to benefit the 35th Chicago International Film Festival. The dinner was created by Wolfgang Puck and Francois Kwaku-Dongo, and was the same menu served to the guests at the Governor’s Ball in Hollywood last year.
Models, dressed in Escada couture, sashayed through the restaurant, wearing gowns that were used earlier in Los Angeles for a preview for stars and their stylists. York Furrier provided furs for guests to wear for a souvenir picture. Spotted in the crowd: Gov. George Ryan and film festival founder and artistic director Michael Kutza.
A silent auction was held featuring movie-related memorabilia.Or you could bid on a $1,000 gift certificate good for the plastic surgery of your choice. A live auction was held during commercials, with guests bidding on, among other items, a dinner with Donna LaPietra and Bill Kurtis in their home and a Fendi Russian sable. Tickets were $175 per person.
– Polish your cowboy boots and prepare to attend the Goodman Theatre’s Women’s Board’s annual gala April 10. “Bubbly, Bangles, and Boots,” at the Fairmont Hotel, will feature a performance by country/pop recording star Martina McBride. Tickets begin at $300 and are available by calling 312-435-2770.
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