BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Ballet aficionados gathered for world-class dance and a glorious Spring Gala on May 21 hosted by the Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board. A tribute to legendary Chicago philanthropist Mary Galvin, honored that night for her commitment to dance, music, and arts education, brought the event’s 700 guests to their feet in gratitude.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and honoree, Mary B. Galvin.
Could there ever be a greater team of co-chairs than Maria and Bill Smithburg, Shelley and Bill Farley, and Sandra and Roger Deromedi? Leave it to Women’s Board President and ballet buff, Patti Eylar, to capture the glory of this season’s showstoppers for the gala, sponsored by BMO Wealth Management, which raised funds for operation and programing, including various community dance projects.
Shelley and William Farley.
Roger and Sandy Deromedi.
Guests traveled via trolley from the Auditorium Theatre, where they watched an intimate performance featuring internationally celebrated dancers from the Joffrey Company and the Joffrey Academy of Dance, to the Palmer House’s Red Lacquer Room for cocktails.
Guests enjoy dinner in the Grand Ballroom.
Afterwards guests enjoyed dinner with the dancers in the Grand Ballroom and a performance by the students, known as Community Engagement dancers, taught by Joffrey instructors.
The Community Engagement Dancers.
The glamor and joy of the evening rivaled that of a spectacular Joffrey staging!
Melinda Jakovich and Lucien LaGrange.
Torjus Lundevall, Greg Thompson, Anne Kaplan, and Dave Moore.
Jazelle and D.L. Morriss.
Joffrey Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater and Miriam Smith.
Mary B. Galvin, at center, with Joffrey dancers Fernando Duarte, Nicole Ciapponi, Christine Rocas, and Elivelton Tomazi.
Andrea Schwartz and Greg Cameron, Executive Director of the Joffrey.
Ellie Forman, Kathleen Henson, and Jamie-Clare Flaherty.
Brian and Melissa Babcock.
Virginia and Norman Bobins with Martha Higgins.
Jetta and Dallas Boschen.
Karen Gray Krehbiel, Caryn Harris, and Shauna Montgomery.
Frances and Christopher Renk.
Sandy Deromedi, Jerrilyn Hoffman, Maria Smithburg, and Shelley Farley.
Jon Janott and Elizabeth Price.
Ann David-O’Neill, Tim Killeen, Pamela Strobel, Tom O’Neill, and Russ Strobel.
Richard and Noren Ungaretti.
Kyle DeSantis, Christine Rezagholi, Mitchell Hatcher, and Jeffrey Lawrence.
Photo credit: Dan Rest
