By Paulette Wittenberg
Contributing Writer
Quite fashionable...
This year's 79th Annual Fashion Show fundraiser was given by the Women's Board of Rush University Medical Center on Thursday, Sept. 15, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. "The Beat Goes On" was virtually a sellout. And the audience was clamoring for more, more!
This year's show was produced and directed by Skip Grisham who also did the set design.
As in the past few (or many) years, the show was hosted by the always youthful Mary Ann Childers and Jay Levine, who have both played a big part in the show by announcing the models, and talking through each segment. But many surprises were in store for the guests.
Before the 6:30 p.m. show began and prior to Mary Ann and Jay, there was a singing performance by the very youthful, 95-year-old Kitty Carlisle Hart with David Lewis. Ms. Carlisle-Hart opened the show with two songs: "Hail Friends" and "One of Those Things." She not only looked spectacular, she sounded good (on key), her timing was good, and she had a sly glint in her eye. After the songs, it was all show biz and the show had to go on!
The fashion extravaganza is always a great night out with local celebrities and many well-known Chicagoans modeling the latest fashions and jewelry for a worthy cause. Some of the participating models were: Karen Jordan of ABC 7 and Hazel Barr wearing jewels by Tiffany. (It was a shame that the audience couldn't see most of the necklaces because they were worn on white clothing.)
Also on the runway was Nora Daley Conroy and Mrs. Patrick Ryan, Jr. (both wearing Ralph Lauren); M.D.'s James E. Calvin; Carl Eyebel; Marshall Goldin; Ed Savage and R. Jeffrey Snell decked out in Paul Stuart.
Girls' clothing by Phoebe and Frances were modeled by Misses Mellisa Louise Crowe; Daisy Fornego; Beth Hall; Lauren Hall; Natalie Hall; Laura Crowe McKenna; Margot Ann Mitchell and Agatha Walgreen.
Abra Prentice Wilkin and Fox newswoman Robin Robinson were lovely in designs by Luca Luca; Joseph J. Hennessy, MD and Anthony Romeo, MD plus Amy Scalera Findlay wore Hartmarx; Teresa Wilkie wore fashions from Ultimo.
Mrs. John W. Madigan, Ms. Melanie Madigan, Brittan Reilly Callahan and Mrs. Patrick Callahan wore the greatest: Chanel (of course!).
During the show and while models got ready to skip to the next designer, Chris Bennet, Lynne Jordan, Rich Parenti and Robin Pluer sang and entertained. Then it was time for headliner Mary Wilson to put the show "over the top." Wilson (of the original Supremes and Diana Ross & the Supremes) sang three great songs and brought down the house singing: "My World is Empty Without You Babe," "You Just Keep me Hanging On" and "I Hear a Symphony." All three songs were mega-golden hits in the '60s. More musical entertainment was provided by The Allen Kaye Orchestra.
Chaired by Mimi Mitchell and Women's Board President Mary Smart, the evening's fund-raiser was held to add to money already raised by The Women's Board, which has committed to raising $10 million over the next five years. The funds will be used for the development of a Heart and Vascular Center providing the latest technological advancements for Rush Medical Center.
After the show, guests mingled with the models and friends at a special cocktail reception. A ticket to the show was priced at $25-$125 which included seats for the fashion show. The cocktail reception was included in the $125 ticket plus premier seating.
I was there (in all Dior), where were you, and what were you wearing?
On the water...
Redmoon Theater presented an extravaganza on water at dusk in the Jackson Park Lagoon, directly behind the Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive. Redmoon Theater's "Spectacle '05: Loves Me, Loves Me Not" was supposed to be a whimsical spectacle performed completely on and in the water in the Lagoon which was transformed into a theatrical set complete with sunken houses and wild water craft.
The cast consisted of 75 choir singers, 31 plastic costumes, four pregnant women — and one escape vehicle
But "Love Me....Love Me Not" wasn't exactly what I expected. As Redmoon's response to Hurricane Katrina, the company stated, "What once read as mythical and possibly even whimsical now reads as indelibly tragic. The show needs to be entirely rewritten and reworked."
Though it was a gorgeous night on Saturday, Sept. 17, not a cloud in sight, a full moon and starlit sky, the play was tagged as "Redmoon Responds to Hurricane Katrina."
It was a quite an extraordinary idea having the show on the water. In fact, it was brilliant. However, I'd still like to see the original play prior to its rewritten version.
Hordes of people attended. In fact, it was SRO for latecomers who didn't mind standing.
It also became a charity event since 10 percent of the proceeds are being donated to the Red Cross.
Gala Opening Night...
Opening night of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) 115th downtown season and a swanky Gala took place Saturday, Oct 1. The gala opening was a very special one that launched Music Director Daniel Barenboim's farewell season. It was also very special because international and legendary violinist Itzak Perlman performed. Mr. Perlman is Mr. Barenboim's close friend and musical collaborator. Together the extraordinary violinist and the CSO under the baton of Mr. Barenboim performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 and Schubert's Symphony No. 9 D944 "Great."
Gala guests conversed over a pre-concert cocktail hour. Then after the concert, a trolley swiftly transported them to a private tented area dressed up and decorated for the occasion in the Chase Promenade section of Millennium Park. More cocktails, an incredible dinner, and dancing to the cool music of the Bill Pollack Orchestra followed.
What a night! The black-tie Gala was priced from $500 to $1750.
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