Smuin's Annual Gala Lights Up San Francisco, 3/4

San Francisco's premier contemporary American ballet company celebrates its successful and innovative 24th season at Smuin's Annual Gala, to be held Sunday, March 4, 2018 at San Francisco's Galleria. The dancers of Smuin Contemporary American Ballet will trade in their pointe shoes for heels to mingle among the city's leaders in arts and business, for a lavish evening of extraordinary entertainment.

Co-chairs Patti and Jerry Hume, and Athena and John Konstin, along with Smuin's Board of Trustees and the Friends of Smuin committee will host the soirée, which includes a cocktail reception and exclusive performance by Smuin's exquisite dancers, as well as a live auction filled with sensational one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Guests will also enjoy an epicurean feast catered by McCall's, and world class wines from Napa Valley's Grgich Hills Estate. Smuin's Annual Gala takes place 5pm, Sunday, March 4, 2018 at San Francisco's Galleria, 101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco. For tickets and more information, the public may contact Smuin at (415) 556-5000 x100 or visit www.smuinballet.org.

Assisting with the event are Smuin's Board of Trustees and officers: Dell Larcen (President), Patti Hume (Founding President), Lee D. Baxter (Vice President), Madelyn Mallory (Treasurer), Karen D. Kadushin (Secretary), F. Thomas Aden, John Konstin, David M'Raihi, Linda Membreño, Maria Nazari, Victor Olivieri, and Elizabeth Sanders, as well as the Friends of Smuin committee. This year's live auction items feature plenty of exclusive items and experiences, such as the opportunity to attend an advance movie screening with San Francisco Chronicle reviewer Mick LaSalle-one of the nation's pre-eminent film critics. Also offered is an extraordinary "Weekend in with Smuin" VIP package, which includes five-star luxury accommodations, a private dining experience with Smuin Artistic Director Celia Fushille, and VIP access to a dress rehearsal and performance. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on a walk-on appearance in Smuin's "The Christmas Ballet" spectacular, an exclusive cocktail party with Smuin's dancers at San Francisco's historic John's Grill, and much more

All proceeds raised at Smuin's Annual Gala will support the company in staging its unique, athletic, and innovative productions around the Bay Area, and introducing new works to the local arts landscape.

For more than 24 years, Smuin has pushed the boundaries of contemporary ballet within a distinctly American style, engaging and delighting audiences with uncommon physicality and expression. Founded in San Francisco in 1994 by Tony- and Emmy-award-winning choreographer Michael Smuin, the Company is committed to creating work that merges the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance. As Artistic Director since 2007, Celia Fushille has maintained Michael Smuin's legacy while enriching the company's impressive repertoire by collaborating with inventive choreographers from around the world, commissioning world premieres, and bringing new contemporary choreographic voices to the Smuin stage.