The summer's benefits took advantage of the carefree season with innovative, whimsical tropes. A Chicago fund-raiser for cancer research—a serious cause if ever there was one—had giant balloons floating above highboy tables, while a Las Vegas-area benefit for brain health had bronco riding and watermelon-eating contests. In the Hamptons, guests supported the arts as a unique piece of performance art saw a couple being splattered with blue paint; in New York, a benefit for Citymeals-on-Wheels served appetizers that were unsubtly inspired by the campy classic Jaws.
Here's a look at these and other ideas from high-profile benefits that took place throughout the country and in Canada this summer.
Ravinia Music Festival
Photo: Patrick Gipson/Ravinia Festival
Carlson Wagonlit Travel "Thrive in Retro" Event
Photo: Courtesy of Kuoni Destination Management
Carlson Wagonlit Travel "Thrive in Retro" Event
Photo: Courtesy of Kuoni Destination Management
Harris Theater Gala
Photo: Bob Carl
The Shedd Aquarium's Luminscence Gala
Photo: Courtesy of John G. Shedd Aquarium
Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo-ologie
Photo: Jaclyn Simpson
Washington National Opera Ball
Photo: Margot Schulman
Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals-on-Wheels Gala
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Kiehl's Amfar Ride Finish-Line Wrap Party
Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Kiehl's Since 1851
The Parrish Art Museum's Midsummer Party
Photo: Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com
ArtHampton's Jackson Pollock Centennial
Photo: Michael Heller
Fashion As Art Exposed
Photo: George Pimentel
The National Ballet of Canada's Diamond Gala
Photo: Gary Beechy
Keep Memory Alive's Shakespeare Ranch Rodeo
Photo: Dalia Photography
City of Hope Gala
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center Gala
Photo: Alex Berliner for AbImages
Watermill Center Summer Benefit
Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com
Chefs in Shorts
Photo: Bethany Versoy/V2Visuals
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Summer Dinner Dance
Photo: Bob Carl for Chicago Botanic Garden
The Lincoln Park Zoo Ball
Photo: Alain Milotti
The Lincoln Park Zoo Ball
Photo: Bob Carl
The Justice Ball
Photo: Courtesy of Toast
Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery's Power Ball
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
The Boys & Girls Club's Summer Ball
Photo: Bob Carl
American Cancer Society's Skyline Soiree
Photo: Jenny Berg/BizBash