The “Gospel Gala: From Blues to Good News” took on the flavor of an old-fashioned revival Saturday night as guests listened to foot-stomping, hand-clapping music and feasted on some down-home victuals. The black-tie affair gathered 270 people to the Chicago Historial Society to raise money for its Hope B. McCormick Costume Center.
The Wheaton College Gospel Choir sang as guests entered the cocktail party. Raffle tickets were on sale for travel, Tod’s handbags and shoes and an opportunity to have a Chicago Historical Society conservator restore a winner’s old photographs, among other items.
While sipping cocktails, guests nibbled on coleslaw/barbecue wraps and cheese crescent rolls and took in the society’s new exhibits, “That’s Good News! Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music” and “Wade in Water: African-American Sacred Music Traditions.” Guests moved into the Revival Hall for an hourlong concert by Ramsey Lewis and the James Memorial A.M.E. Church Choir. A spirited Bill Kurtis served as emcee. He was so animated in announcing the choir that Lewis quipped, “We’re going to have to get Bill to the pulpit Sunday morning.”
Dinner was served on red-and-white checked tablecloths with meringue pies and red apples as centerpieces. The menu was a hearty shrimp jambalaya, followed by grilled beef tenderloin, spicy crab cakes and chocolate pecan pie. The evening ended shortly after midnight with some after-dinner dancing.
Among those attending were co-chairs Sue Camins, Donna LaPietra and Barbara Samuels, and advisory board chairman Cynthia Hedlund.
Organizers estimate that $100,000 was raised.
– The AIDS Foundation of Chicago nearly doubled last year’s take at its Opening Night Benefit Gala at the International Exhibition of Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art.
About $100,000 was raised at this year’s exhibition preview party on Nov. 4, an affair at Navy Pier that included cocktails, dinner buffet, music and most important, a chance to browse and buy the artwork that was on display.
A raffle helped contribute to the evening’s fundraising, featuring artist Dale Chihuly’s handblown piece, “Venetian Edition.”
Other raffle items were round-trip airfares and a raincoat trimmed with sheared mink.
Money raised will support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s grant-making program.
More than 1,200 guests attended the party, including benefit co-chairs Aldo Castillo and Ruth Sklar, and AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s executive director Mark Ishaug.
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