1. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Symphony Ball
#1 Theater, Dance & Music Event
The premiere autumn event has featured performances from the likes of Lang Lang and Renee Fleming; it draws major corporate sponsors and typically raises more than $1 million. Next: September 29, 2012
The premiere autumn event has featured performances from the likes of Lang Lang and Renee Fleming; it draws major corporate sponsors and typically raises more than $1 million. Next: September 29, 2012
Photo: Todd Rosenberg Photography
2. Lyric Opera’s Opening Night Gala Benefit and Opera Ball
#2 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The eight-hour affair emanates a grand sense of occasion with red-carpet arrivals, a bugle-scored grand march, and opera stars. This year the Lyric Opera’s opening night gala benefit and Opera Ball includes a performance of Richard Strauss’s Elektra. Next: October 6, 2012
The eight-hour affair emanates a grand sense of occasion with red-carpet arrivals, a bugle-scored grand march, and opera stars. This year the Lyric Opera’s opening night gala benefit and Opera Ball includes a performance of Richard Strauss’s Elektra. Next: October 6, 2012
Photo: Cheri Eisenberg
3. Steppenwolf Theatre Gala
#3 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The prestigious gala has a successful live auction with unique packages donated by its high-profile company actors, who also attend. Next: Spring 2013
The prestigious gala has a successful live auction with unique packages donated by its high-profile company actors, who also attend. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Joan Hackett
4. Joffrey Ballet Spring Gala
#4 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
This year, the dance lovers’ evening was attended by 800 guests including big-name business leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The 2012 spring gala raised $1.2 million and celebrated the women’s board’s 10th anniversary. Next: Spring 2013
This year, the dance lovers’ evening was attended by 800 guests including big-name business leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The 2012 spring gala raised $1.2 million and celebrated the women’s board’s 10th anniversary. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Bob Carl
5. Goodman Theatre Gala
#5 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
With opulent decor evocative of the Moulin Rouge, the Goodman Theatre gala offered a cabaret-style performance from Tony award winner Laura Benanti and raised $800,000. Next: Spring 2013
With opulent decor evocative of the Moulin Rouge, the Goodman Theatre gala offered a cabaret-style performance from Tony award winner Laura Benanti and raised $800,000. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Violet Dominck
6. TBS Just for Laughs Festival
#6 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
With stand-up comedy, sketch shows, and films in venues across the city, the TBS Just for Laughs Festival has been a popular, quick-to-sell-tickets summertime tradition since launching in Chicago in 2008. This year’s talent included Vince Vaughn, Sarah Silverman, and Aziz Ansari. Next: June 12-17, 2013
With stand-up comedy, sketch shows, and films in venues across the city, the TBS Just for Laughs Festival has been a popular, quick-to-sell-tickets summertime tradition since launching in Chicago in 2008. This year’s talent included Vince Vaughn, Sarah Silverman, and Aziz Ansari. Next: June 12-17, 2013
Photo: Courtesy of TBS Just for Laughs Chicago
7. Ravinia Festival Gala
#7 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The summertime fund-raiser celebrated the 50th anniversary of the women’s board this year with a performance from Patti Lupone and Patricia Racette. Next: July 2013
The summertime fund-raiser celebrated the 50th anniversary of the women’s board this year with a performance from Patti Lupone and Patricia Racette. Next: July 2013
Photo: Patrick Gipson/Ravinia Festival
8. Chicago Dancing Festival
#8 Theater, Dance, & Music Event (new to the list)
Now in its sixth year, the Chicago Dancing Festival has evolved from a one-day event into six days of free programming. The festival added the 3,800-seat Auditorium Theater to its slate of venues in 2011 and filled the space to capacity. Next: August 20-25, 2012
Now in its sixth year, the Chicago Dancing Festival has evolved from a one-day event into six days of free programming. The festival added the 3,800-seat Auditorium Theater to its slate of venues in 2011 and filled the space to capacity. Next: August 20-25, 2012
Photo: Cheryl Mann
9. Chicago Shakespeare Theater Gala
#9 Theater, Dance, & Music Event (new to the list)
The high-profile event has a host committee with representation from McDonald’s, ITW, and CME Group. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater Gala raises more than $1 million each year. Next: June 2013
The high-profile event has a host committee with representation from McDonald’s, ITW, and CME Group. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater Gala raises more than $1 million each year. Next: June 2013
Photo: Michael Litchfield
10. Hubbard Street Dance Company’s Spotlight Ball
#10 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The gala includes dance performances and publicly acknowledges corporate support; this year, Northern Trust was honored. Next: Spring 2013
The gala includes dance performances and publicly acknowledges corporate support; this year, Northern Trust was honored. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Robert Carl/Courtesy of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
11. League of Chicago Theatres Gala
#11 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The gala, which is considered a prime industry networking opportunity, honored Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy this year and raised funds for 200 area companies. Next: Spring 2013
The gala, which is considered a prime industry networking opportunity, honored Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy this year and raised funds for 200 area companies. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Kimmy Noonen Photography
12. Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Gglassquerade
#12 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The gala increased its ticket price this year and raised $600,000—up 10 percent from 2011. Actors in attendance included John Mahoney and David Schwimmer. Next: March 2013
The gala increased its ticket price this year and raised $600,000—up 10 percent from 2011. Actors in attendance included John Mahoney and David Schwimmer. Next: March 2013
Photo: Robert Carl
13. Redmoon Theater’s Spectacle Lunatique
#13 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The gala draws attention for imaginative site-specific performances using pageants, puppets, and more. Next: March 2013
The gala draws attention for imaginative site-specific performances using pageants, puppets, and more. Next: March 2013
Photo: Christina Noel Photography
14. About Face Theatre’s Wonka Ball
#14 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The event raises funds for the company for LGBT youth; it draws 600 guests and gets an over-the-top theme each year. Next: Spring 2013
The event raises funds for the company for LGBT youth; it draws 600 guests and gets an over-the-top theme each year. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Kat Fitzgerald
