Hubbard Street Season 39 Spotlight Ball Raises Over $800,000

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, one of the world's premier contemporary dance organizations, together with Event Chair and Chair of Hubbard Street's Board of Directors, Sara Albrecht, and Honorary Chair Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Corporate Honoree, Exelon, held its Season 39 Spotlight Ball on Wednesday, June 7 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, located at 200 North Columbus Drive in Chicago.

The gala event raised more than $800,000 for Hubbard Street's artistic, community-focused, education and youth dance programming. More than $ 225,000 of that total was raised the night of the event, through a paddle raise led by Gary F. Metzner of Sotheby's, which included a $20,000 match provided by Hubbard Street's Board of Directors. More than 450 esteemed guests included artists, civic and corporate leaders; philanthropists; three of Hubbard Street's original dancers, alumni and current dancers, as well as former Artistic Director Jim Vincent and Founding Artistic Director Lou Conte.

The event began at 5:00pm at the Harris Theater for a special gala performance of Hubbard Street's Summer Series kicking off the company's 40th Anniversary at 6:00pm. City of Chicago Mayor and Honorary Chair, Rahm Emanuel greeted guests with opening remarks in the theater preceding the performance. The performance featured works from each decade of the company's history including Founding Artistic Director, Lou Conte's signature piece The 40s.

"It's been my dream to bring back The 40's for this kick-off to our anniversary year. It's been very special to have Lou in the studios getting into the details of the style and coaching the dancers with such history and substance in his delivery," said Artistic Director, Glenn Edgerton. "The works chosen span our history and were performed with inspired enthusiasm and in a way that honors the legacy of the former dancers and creative team."

Guests were then transported to the Fairmont Hotel's Ballroom. Following welcomes and remarks from Hubbard Street Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton, attendees enjoyed a three-course dinner; wines from AJR Ventures, Brooks, and Wine Sisterhood; Tito's Handmade Vodka; and décor by Kehoe Designs.

Following a video about Hubbard Street's in-school Movement as Partnership (MAP) program, Director of Arts Education for Chicago Public Schools, Evan Plummer, spoke about the impact of both Hubbard Street's in-school education programs as well as the DreamTix program launched during Hubbard Street's Fall Series in November, which provides free tickets to CPS students.

"The Arts change lives, and at Hubbard Street, we believe the core purpose is to transform lives, whether that be in the theater, in the studio, or in the classroom," said Executive Director, Jason Palmquist.

The gala evening concluded with plenty of dancing to music by DJ Tess Kisner, of No Small Plans Productions and its popular dance party Slo 'Mo, held monthly at the Slippery Slope and other locations.

Kenneth C. Griffin was the Presenting Sponsor of Hubbard Street's Season 39 Spotlight Ball.

Benefactors included Sara Albrecht, Denise Stefan Ginascol and John Ginascol, and David Herro and Jay Franke.

Sponsors included Allstate; Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein; Meg and Tim Callahan; Lew, Steven and Caralynn Collens; Conagra Brands; Penny Rodes DeMott; Patti Eylar and Charles Gardner; GCM Grosvenor; Larry and Marla Gilbert; JDL Development; Jenner & Block; The PrivateBank; ITW; Timothy R. Schwertfeger and Gail Waller Schwertfeger; and Deborah and KElly Stonebraker.

Patrons included ARI, Richard Ehrie; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois; Janet and Michael Colleran; Kristin Conley and Andrew Sudds; Dirk Denison and David Salkin; Sondra Berman Epstein; Jim Gordon, The Edgewater Funds; Sandra and Jack Guthman; HFF, Jeff Bramson; Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Marc Miller and Chris Horsman; Northern Trust; PWC; Byron and Judy Pollock; Related Midwest; Lauren Robishaw; Richard L. Rodes; Burton X. and ShEli Rosenberg; Kelly Royer and Damian Dolyniuk; Mary Kay Shaw; Richard and Barbara Silverman; Richard and Ann Tomlinson; John Vazquez and Paul Gleixner; and West Monroe Partners.

Supporters included Beth Bronner and Alan Singer; James and Edythe Cloonan; Ginger Farley; Ron Levin, Goldman Sachs; Peter; Lettuce Entertain You; Jim and Kay Mabie; Melissa O'Malley; Richard and Ellen Sandor; Jack and Niki Tovin; Charles Snellgrove; Mike and Linda Welsh; Sallyan Windt; and Randy and Lisa White.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's core purpose is to bring artists, art and audiences together to enrich, engage, educate, transform and change lives through the experience of dance. Celebrating Season 40 in 2017-18, under the artistic leadership of Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street continues to innovate, supporting ascendant creative talent while presenting repertory by internationally recognized living artists. Hubbard Street has grown through the establishment of multiple platforms alongside the Lou Conte Dance Studio - now in its fifth decade of providing a wide range of public classes and pre-professional training - while extensive Youth, Education, Community, Adaptive Dance and Family Programs keep the organization deeply connected to its hometown. Visit hubbardstreetdance.com for artist profiles, touring schedules, and much more.