Celebrating: Chicago Sinfonietta’s 15th anniversary gala and benefit concert, at the Hilton Chicago. The maestro: Paul Freeman, founding musical director, conducted the orchestra through several selections, including one of his favorites: William Grant Still’s “Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American).” The Voice: After being introduced, special guest James Earl Jones, actor and the voice of Darth Vader, walked to his own music, in a way, as the orchestra played “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars.” In turn, Jones paid special tribute to Freeman by reading selected poems by Langston Hughes. Sign here, please: Extremely generous about autographing, Jones even signed off on a few baseballs for his “Field of Dreams” fans. Thanks for sharing: On another Sinfonietta occasion, actress Irma P. Hall, a friend of Jones’, let it be known that Jones collects lions. Now he has an Art Institute replica. Fundraising: $250,000 for the evening.
