About 720 patrons at the Shedd Aquarium Saturday night entered a world of piranhas, blue turtles and caiman lizards. It was the “Amazon Night — Amazing Awakening,” the unveiling of the aquarium’s new exhibit.
Loads of sushi, California rolls and smoked fish appetizers were passed as the black-tie crowd marveled at the exhibit, which led guests on a journey through the lush and rainy Amazon basin.
Among the many notables were chair Nancy Searle, President and CEO Ted Beattieand his wife, Penny, Joan Freehling, Sugar Rautbord, Michael Christ, Donna LaPietra, Sidney Port and Stephen B. Smith.
A special treat was a live auction with the dolphins in the oceanarium. Tuxedo-clad Bill Kurtis made his entrance kayaking through the water to the theme from the James Bond films. The crowd roared as a dolphin swam up to him with a martini on a tiny raft on its back. (“I said shaken, not stirred!” Kurtis said.) Waiters then passed out martinis for everyone.
The auction, emceed by Kurtis, attracted a top bid of $18,000 for “Sea-Cow-Go,” one of the bovines from the Cows on Parade. There were many Shedd overnight and tour packages auctioned off, along with travel to places such as Ireland, Indonesia and New Zealand.
The evening raised about $500,000. Tickets began at $350 per person.
– Cabaret artist Andrea Marcovicci headlined Friday night’s benefit for the Alliance Francaise de Chicago at the Fairmont Hotel.
The annual event drew some of Chicago’s tres chic, including chair Bonnie Deutsch, co-chairs Mary Ellen Connellan and Suzanne McCormick, Randolph Williams, William and Catherine Graham, Liz and Jules Stiffeland French consul general Jean-Rene Gehan.
The crowd was charmed by Yvonne Marlowof Gage Park High School, a student in the Alliance’s scholarship program. She read her poem that was recently published in “Voix Differentes,” a literary review from Benedictine University.
The evening raised an estimated $150,000.
– Sandra P. Guthman of Polk Bros. Foundation was recently honored at the Erikson Institute’s Prism Ball Gala at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. She received the award for her “strong stewardship and commitment” to building excellent education and care for Chicago’s children.
Susan and Bob Wislowco-chaired the event, which raised more than $335,000 for Erikson, an institute of higher learning that prepares child development professionals for leadership.
More than 500 guests attended the event, which included a silent auction filled with vacation, dining and sports packages.
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