Martinis at the Mart...
Martinis, cocktails and a buffet reception will be served to guests joining in the fun at Shattered Globe Theatre’s 15th Anniversary Celebration “Martinis at the Mart Gala Benefit” on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Merchandise Mart, 320 N. Wells St.
The event also features an extensive silent auction that includes unique contributions from stage and screen stars Paul Newman, Henry Winkler and Angela Basset. The raffle comes later as well as a “Fifteen Years in Fifteen Minutes” retrospective of Shattered Globes 50 past productions.
Join in the 15th Anniversary Celebration by calling (773) 770-0333 and purchasing a $75 ticket.
Shattered Globe performs in residence at Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Its 2006 season opens in January with John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves.” For information about the theater company, call the above phone number.
Poker Tourney...
Luck will be on your side if you attend the Celebrity Poker Show hosted by Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Palmer House Hilton’s Empire Room, 17 E. Monroe St., with registration at 5:30 p.m., the Celebrity showdown at 6 p.m. and tournament play from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The “Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament” will have cards flying with ease. Try your luck for a winning hand of four aces, a full house or maybe a royal flush at this fundraiser that also carries a celebrity guest list. The A-list includes Jen Schefft of “The Bachelorette”; Lin Brehmer of WXRT Radio; Travis Roche of the Chicago Wolves Hockey team; and Anna Davlantes of NBC5. The celebs will be at the tables and guests can play-off against them.
Gourmet sandwiches, cocktails, desserts...and the stakes aren’t that high when you consider that proceeds will raise funds for the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation that will brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families using resourceful programs that ease their pain and fear.
A player (21 or older) can get in the house for $250—it's only $50 for a spectator. Phone (312) 251-7827, ext. 21, to purchase a ticket or visit www.starlightmidwest.org.
Dining By Design...
Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will benefit from the Gala evening presented by Elle Decor on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Merchandise Mart.
It's the finale of Elle Decor’s three-day event at the Merchandise Mart showcasing tabletop designs from top architects, designers and style makers. Guests attending the incredible gala will arrive by 7 p.m. for the cocktail reception. During cocktail time guests can view the exciting and creative table tops.
A seated dinner follows, of course, and there’s dancing too with music spun by designer Todd Oldham acting as DJ. Guests will probably gobble up the silent auction items featuring centerpieces, entire table settings, luxury home furnishings and dream vacations.
The party is hosted by Elle Decor’s editor-in-chief Margaret Russell and honorary chair Holly Hunt, founder of exclusive interior design showrooms carrying her name, and co-chaired by Alan Almasy, Kim Rode, Michele Rust and the DIFFA/Chicago Board of Directors.
To purchase a ticket to this elegant gala at $275 per individual, phone DIFFA at (312) 644-6412.
Auditorium Theatre Gala...
The spectacular Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is the setting for its 2005-06 Gala Benefit on Saturday, Nov. 12. “Chicago Sings Broadway” stars Hershey Felder—creator and star of “George Gershwin Alone” as well as “Monsieur Chopin” (now appearing at the Royal George Theatre). The concert features the classic songs from Gershwin, Kern, Porter, and Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The audience will go wild when they are invited to sing along with Felder as he pays tribute to the classic American songs and songwriters. Felder will also recollect anecdotes, backstage tales and stories while honoring the greats.
For guests attending the Gala, the evening begins at 5 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., with cocktails, followed by a lavish dinner. The concert starring Hershey Felder will begin at 8 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. (which will give Gala guests plenty of time to eat, drink and visit with friends).
Following the concert, the Gala guests will step on to the Auditorium’s stage for wonderful dessert, fine champagne and dancing to the music of a full-swing orchestra.
The evening has been made possible by the generous support of the Pasquinelli Family Foundation of Chicago.
For additional information about the Auditorium Theatre Gala, or to purchase an individual ticket ($350-$500), please phone (312) 922-2110, ext. 0.
Tickets for the one-night-only concert will be also be available for individual purchase separate from the benefit package. The performance begins at 8 p.m. and a concert ticket ranges in price from $29-$59. To purchase, visit the Auditorium Theatre Box Office, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., or TicketMaster.
10th Anniversary & Benefit...
Deeply Rooted Productions’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theater will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 5, with a benefit performance at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., at 7:30 p.m.
The performance features the company premieres of artistic director Kevin Iega Jeff’s “Naeemah’s Room” set to music by Bjork and Philip Glass. Also on the program is Associate Artistic Director Gary Abbott’s “Hand to Mouth,” inspired by the Kenyan and Somali victims of the 2004 tsunami, with music by the Kronos Quartet.
Also featured will be “Junto,” “The Dance We Dance Suite,” and “Dedication and Desire.”
After the performance, benefit guests, whose tickets are $100, will enjoy a private reception.
If you’d rather attend the performance only, tickets are available for by calling (312) 334-7777. An individual ticket is priced at $25-$45 for the performance only.
Dance Chicago 2005...
The largest and most diverse dance festival in the city, “Dance Chicago,” rolls out the red carpet for a month long event beginning Friday, Nov. 5, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.
The dance festival features more than 300 companies and choreographers in nine different programs that will have the audience sizzling with delight. They will also be happy about the pricing of the performances which are all around $20 per ticket (or less) which is a pretty good deal.
My advice: Get a copy of Dance Chicago’s program by going to www.dancechicago.com or by calling or visiting the box office at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., (773) 935-6860, and buy a ticket or two. |
