society
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Steppenwolf in Red or White
Steppenwolf Theatre’s Auxiliary Board welcomed more than 450 young professionals to its annual Red or White Ball, held Friday night to raise funds for the theater’s educational programs. Guests made their way to the off-the-beaten-path North Side venue Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood, for an …Read More
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Charity Bullish on youth
The Chicago Bulls, currently the No. 1 team in the NBA, had more than its hot streak to celebrate last Tuesday night as more than 800 fans and supporters gathered at the United Center to relaunch the team’s charity, formerly known as CharitaBulls, with a …Read More
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Fans herald American Ballet Theatre’s return
ELIZABETH HAMEL: For the first time in 17 years, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University welcomed the American Ballet Theatre back to Chicago with an exclusive reception on the eve of the opening night of “Giselle.”
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Flower fashion show raises money for Garfield Park Conservatory
Last summer, hailstorms damaged more than 60 percent of the Garfield Park Conservatory’s greenhouse glass, setting the folks at the West Side institution immediately into motion to raise money to restore the landmark building.
‘Top Chef’ charity is top-shelf
The folks of Common Threads and “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons welcomed almost 150 guests March 11 to the Chefs Charity Dinner, an intimate foodie fund-raiser held at the James Hotel. Simmons — a longtime friend of Common Threads and its founder, chef Art Smith …
Humanitarian honorees
ELIZABETH HAMEL: The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s Board of Trustees, along with more than 1,800 supporters, gathered last week at the Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker, for the 2012 Humanitarian Awards Dinner featuring former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as keynote speaker.
Lookingglass fetes John Mahoney
Lookingglass Theatre ensemble actors, board members, and supporters gathered Saturday night at the W Chicago City Center to fete a fellow Chicago theater thespian, “Frasier” star John Mahoney, at the 24th annual gglassquerade gala.
Comcast SportsNet Awards raise record amount for March of Dimes
ELIZABETH HAMEL: The 24th annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards, held earlier this month at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, raised more than $720,000 for the March of Dimes — a new record for the sports soiree.
In the spirit of Lincoln
The folks of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation bestowed their most prestigious honor, the Lincoln Leadership Prize, to former Polish President Lech Walesa earlier this month in front of more than 350 guests at the Four Seasons Hotel. The soiree was co-chaired by some …
Auto show gala hits full throttle
ELIZABETH HAMEL: “First Look for Charity,” the massive annual soiree held on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show’s official opening day, was the largest in its history, attracting more than 8,000 guests and raising a whopping $2.1 million for 18 local charitable organizations.
Lyric Opera Guild Board puts on ‘Fantasy’ party fit for royalty
ELIZABETH HAMEL: The Lyric Opera’s Guild Board presented a decadent, Russian-themed fete fit for a czar at the Fantasy of the Opera Ball on Friday night at the Civic Opera House.
National Louis anniversary gala a success
ELIZABETH HAMEL: National Louis University, the private, not-for-profit teacher’s college founded in 1886 by a Jane Addams cohort, Elizabeth Harrison, celebrated a big birthday — its 125th year — and bigger gifts with an elegant dinner Thursday evening.
Kerry Wood’s ‘Warm-Up’ a hot ticket
ELIZABETH HAMEL: Mere hours after the announcement of his re-signing with the Chicago Cubs, perennially popular pitcher Kerry Wood, along with his wife Sarah, welcomed friends, colleagues and fans to the “Woody’s Winter Warm-Up” celebrity mixer to benefit the Wood Family Foundation.
Eva Simons, Chet Haze and Baby Bash entertain 4,000 partying at Hilton Chicago
ELIZABETH’S SOCIAL CIRCUIT: Some 4,000 young, hip partygoers ushered in the new year with Playboy Playmates and entertainers Eva Simons, Chet Haze and Baby Bash.
Doobie Brothers rock JDRF gala
ELIZABETH HAMEL: The folks at JDRF-Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation took on the tall task of organizing one of Chicago’s largest fund-raisers, the 32nd annual “Chance of a Lifetime Gala,” held at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center earlier in December.
A holly Joffrey Christmas
Dancing sugar plum fairies and some good ol’ holiday spirit enchanted young and old at the Joffrey Ballet’s 14th annual Nutcracker Family Dinner, held earlier this month at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe. Partygoers of all ages enjoyed a full-length performance of the …Read More
Horticultural Society Women’s Board raises funds for area youth program
The Women’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society held its sixth annual winter gala at the Chicago Botanic Garden earlier this month. More than 300 revelers gathered for the seasonal soiree, which spotlighted a spectacular centerpiece — the Wonderland Express (an exhibit that runs through …Read More
Holiday party a work for art
The Women’s Board of the Art Institute hosted its first-ever holiday gala last Tuesday when about 350 crimson-clad partygoers — most with little ones in tow — gathered in the museum’s Griffin Court to sip eggnog, listen to Christmas carolers and gear up for the …
Urban League gala jam-packed
The Chicago Urban League, one of the city’s oldest and most illustrious African-American-run charitable organizations, gathered 1,600 supporters for a star-studded evening at its 50th annual Golden Fellowship Dinner. Held earlier this month at its usual locale — the Hilton at 720 S. Michigan — …
Sellout crowd raises record $750,000 for PAWS Chicago
ELIZABETH HAMEL: Partygoers of the canine persuasion, escorted by their doting “parents,” were welcomed Friday night to a gala held in their honor: the aptly titled “Fur Ball” to benefit PAWS Chicago.
