South of the Border

Despite the fact that the Blue Plate-catered dinner at Saturday night's Aztec Ball featured an intermezzo course of prickly pear sorbet and sugar-rimmed tequila shooters, guests stayed considerably more sober than the last crew to party at the Field Museum. In fact, the gala's 650 guests set a decidedly sophisticated tone, with attendees adhering to the black-tie dress code in tuxedos and floor-length gowns.

Though elegant, this year's crowd comprised fewer attendees than those seen at past galas, which have typically drawn anywhere from 800 to 1,000 guests. "In terms of pure sponsorship, the museum in general is seeing a downturn," said Trish Farrell, manager of the museum's women's board, which hosted the event. "These times breed caution and uncertainty." Farrell noted that "longtime friends," as opposed to new sponsors, formed the biggest support base for this year's event, with prominent Chicago families the Crowns, Ferros, and Pritzkers all serving as supporting sponsors.

The museum's latest exhibition, "The Aztec World," inspired the gala's Mexican theme, which showed up in everything from a gold-and-turquoise invite to passed margaritas and a drum-scored performance from dance troupe Nahui Ollin. Frost's undulating blue lights created a waterfall effect in Stanley Field Hall, where Heffernan Morgan dressed dinner tables in towering centerpieces that resembled spiked headdresses. Guests could also get a taste of Mexico by touring the exhibition, which stayed open until the event wrapped up at midnight.

Correction: This text has been updated to correctly note the gala's sponsors and the title of Trish Farrell, manager of the women's board.