#1 Theater, Dance & Music Event (up from #2)
This year’s fund-raiser celebrated the orchestra’s 125th anniversary. Prior to the evening’s sold-out performance, conducted by maestro Riccardo Mutti, a special exhibition showcased artifacts from the institution’s history. Following the concert, some 500 guests headed to the Palmer House Hilton hotel for a lavish dinner dance. The event raised a record $2.1 million. Next: October 15, 2016
#2 Theater, Dance & Music Event
In 2015, the glamorous evening began with a performance of Mozart’s "Marriage of Figaro." Next, some 500 music fans headed to the Hilton Chicago for dinner, dancing, and a trumpeted procession featuring the opera’s stars and staff. HMR Designs decked the ballroom in magnolia branches, and icons of the music genre—including soprano Renée Fleming—were in attendance. The event raised $1.1 million net revenue. Next: October 1, 2016
#3 Theater, Dance & Music Event
The theater company’s prestigious event drew some 550 guests and raised $1.2 million this year. On the guest list were well-known ensemble members such as Gary Sinise and Joan Allen, and the evening included a performance of scenes from The Way West. After the show, a tented dinner featured English garden-inspired decor from Event Creative, and a rousing live auction featured packages donated by actors. Next: May 16, 2016
#4 Theater, Dance & Music Event (up from #6)
The 2015 event began with a dance performance in a new location: the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Champagne partner Moët hosted a toast at the theater, and the program included a work by of-the-moment choreographer Justin Peck. Afterwards, some 850 guests traveled to the Hilton Chicago for cocktails and a specially prepared dinner that incorporated microgreens gown just for the occasion. Following dinner, guests hit the dance floor alongside the ballet company’s stars. The event raised more than $1 million. Next: Spring 2016
#5 Theater, Dance & Music Event
At the 49th annual benefit, Israeli violinist Maxim Vengerov played a selection of Tchaikovsky’s works alongside maestro James Conlon and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Afterwards, some 650 guests sat for dinner in a lavishly decorated tent on concert grounds. Hosted by the women's board, the event raised more than $1 million for the "Reach, Teach, Play" education programs. Next: July 23, 2016
#6 Theater, Dance & Music Event
Popular Broadway star Sutton Foster performed at this year’s 1920s-theme event. Dubbed “Puttin’ on the Glitz,” the affair featured Art Deco-style decor from Kehoe Designs. Imaginative touches included models dressed in flapper gear, posing in bathtubs, and sipping champagne at the cocktail reception. The event drew approximately 500 guests to the Fairmont Chicago Hotel and raised $900,000. Next: Spring 2016
#7 Theater, Dance & Music Event (up from #8)
Billed as the nation’s largest dance festival, the five-night event featured 25 free performances from 16 national dance troupes this year. An estimated 10,000 guests attended the performances. For the first time, an evening called "Modern Women" spotlighted works from female choreographers. Programming also included a new benefit performance that honored festival founder Lar Lubovitch. Next: Summer 2016
#8 Theater, Dance & Music Event (up from #9)
This year’s event drew 350 guests and raised $1.2 million to support programming. Held on Navy Pier, the evening featured actors dressed as Shakespearean characters, a three-course dinner by Food for Thought, and a live auction. The event traditionally draws big names from the theater world, and past attendees have included Audra McDonald and Stephen Sondheim. Next: April 26, 2016
#9 Theater, Dance & Music Event (new to the list)
The popular benefit regularly appears on the social pages of local magazines. This year, it took place at the West Loop's Morgan Manufacturing and featured performances by jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and 200 members of the children's choir. The event drew 600 guests (up from 575 last year) and raised a record $957,101. Next: October 21, 2016
#10 Theater, Dance & Music Event
The experimental theater company hosts an imaginative annual fund-raiser, where tropes have included “fire organs” and dancing skeletons. This year, the event started with a seated dinner for 325 theater lovers; a late-night party drew an additional 180 guests. The event netted $300,000. Next: March 12, 2016
#11 Theater, Dance & Music Event
This year’s gala, held at the Fairmont Chicago, raised more than $800,000. Among the 450 guests was Los Angeles philanthropist Glorya Kaufman who presented an award to William Forsythe, associate choreographer with the Paris Opera Ballet. Mayor Rahm Emanuel also presented an award to the company's corporate sponsor, Archer Daniels Midland Company. Next: June 9, 2016
#12 Theater, Dance & Music Event
With an “Evening in Wonderland” theme, this year’s benefit drew 350 guests and raised $700,000. The Lookingglass Civic Engagement awards were presented to two local notables: chef Rick Bayless and Steppenwolf Theater’s artistic director, Martha Lavey. Company co-founder and former Friends star David Schwimmer was the M.C. Next: April 2, 2016
#13 Theater, Dance & Music Event
The company for L.G.B.T. youth gave its gala an Andy Warhol theme this year. The event featured cocktails served in tomato soup cans, cocktails named after Warhol's notorious "superstars," and tons of Mylar balloons. More than 400 guests attended, helping to raise approximately $60,000. Underlining the event's creative vibe, guests wore modern-art-inspired attire—including a body suit made of candy. Next: Spring 2016
#14 Theater, Dance & Music Event
This year, the industry gathering brought 230 guests to the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel for a cocktail reception, dinner, and an award presentation. The function raised $110,000 to support the programming at 240 theater companies. Next: May 2016
