Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Raises Over $1.1 Million at 35th Anniversary Season Spotlight Ball

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, one of the world's premier contemporary dance companies, together with event Co-Chairs Meg Siegler Callahan, Elizabeth Yntema Ferguson, Sara Albrecht and Jane Strauss, hosted the 35th Anniversary Spotlight Ball on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park and the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. The event was a major success for the organization, raising more than $1.1 million for Hubbard Street's educational, community and artistic programming.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended and received Hubbard Street's Spotlight Award, for being an ardent supporter since his election both of Hubbard Street and of the city's thriving, diverse dance community at large. Hubbard Street presented a second Spotlight Award to JPMorgan Chase & Co., in recognition of its ongoing philanthropy and commitment to Hubbard Street's educational programs. During Hubbard Street's Landmark 35th Anniversary season, the financial services leader joined Kraft and Sara Lee Corporation as the third organization whose total support exceeds $1 million.

The Spotlight Ball kicked off at 6:00 pm at Hubbard Street's home venue, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, with both Spotlight Awards presentations, and a special performance featuring both the main company and Hubbard Street 2, a world-class ensemble of early-career artists. The program featured excerpts from choreography by Swedish artist Mats Ek (Scenes from Casi-Casa), Bay Area dancemaker and Joyce Award-winner Alonzo King ("Compass" from AZIMUTH) and Hubbard Street Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo (selections from Lickety-Split and One Thousand Pieces).

Erik Osterkil, 13 years old and a member of Hubbard Street's Youth Dance Ensemble, presented the Spotlight Award to JP Morgan Chase & Co. "I've had the chance to see how Hubbard Street's work extends beyond the stage," through his participation in the company's Youth Dance programs, Osterkil explained, "reaching kids like me and students in public schools who don't have the opportunity to take classes at the [Lou Conte Dance] Studio." Upon accepting the award on behalf of the firm, Glenn Tilton, Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a member of its Executive Committee, praisEd Osterkil for his poise as a public speaker. "It's an intimidating thing for many, but not for Erik."

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in his remarks noted how training in ballet from a young age provided him with "fast footwork" necessary in public life and politics. Emanuel continued on a more serious note, praising Chicago as "the most American of American cities," expressing thanks for being "part of the Hubbard Street family," and calling the company "the greatest ambassador for the city of Chicago." In closing, Emanuel stressed the importance of the arts and culture in public education, saying that exposure to the humanities alongside academic subjects can "teach you something about yourself."

More than 700 guests and VIPs included Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman of the Johnson Publishing Company; entrepreneur and philanthropist Neil Zucker; Citadel LLC founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin; Abby McCormick O'Neil, Chairman of the Harris Theater's Board of Directors; and Chicago contemporary art gallerist Monique Meloche.

The Spotlight Ball continued at the Fairmont with dinner, cocktails and dancing to live music by party band Dr. Bombay. A silent auction and paddle raise helmed by Jason Lamoreaux offered exclusive experiences including VIP access to Lollapalooza, the Emmy Awards, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, and the set of Emmy Award-winning HBO television series Veep; and luxury getaways to Bermuda, Charleston, Nantucket Island and Scottsdale. An Ultimate Dining Package courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You included dinners for two at Tru, Everest, L2O, Osteria Via Stato, Pizzeria Via Stato, Nacional 27, M Burger and the Eiffel Tower Restaurant in Las Vegas, plus credit at the Paris Club, RPM Italian, HUB51, Scoozi and Foodlife. These auctions raised nearly $200,000.

The Spotlight Ball's three-course dinner by Chef Brad Parsons featured golden and crimson beets in a salad with maple-smoked salmon; filets of beef with chimichurri, queso fresco, baby squash and sweet plaintains; a dessert trio with blueberry Bavarian macaroons, passion fruit tarts and mini chocolate cupcakes; and a selection of Cannonball wines.

An incredible turnout of former Hubbard Street dancers and staff included company founder Lou Conte; more than 40 star members from throughout the company's 35-year history; founding Executive Director Barbara G. Cohen; and Gail Kalver, Executive Director for 23 consecutive seasons.

Hubbard Street Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton introduced and recognized Lou Conte, Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and a Sidney R. Yates Arts Advocate, who founded the Lou Conte Dance Studio in 1974 and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 1977. A video tribute produced by Emmy Award-winning HMS Media provided a retrospective of the company's evolution and growth under Conte's direction, featuring rare footage of celebrated performers and signature works by choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Ji?í Kylián, Nacho Duato and Conte himself, who created most of Hubbard Street's early repertoire.

"Hubbard Street's first gigs brought in 105 dollars each," noted Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton. "Twenty dollars went to each of the four dancers, and 25 bought some basic costumes and gas for the car. Hubbard Street's first annual budget was seven thousand dollars."

Spotlight Ball Benefactors included Co-Chairs Meg Siegler Callahan, Elizabeth Yntema Ferguson, Sara Albrecht and Jane Strauss, plus Tim Callahan, Citadel Foundation, Marge and Lew Collens, Equity Residential / Ventas Charitable Foundation, Michael and Jacky Ferro / The Sun-Times Foundation / The Chicago Community Trust, Grosvenor Capital Management LP, Denise and Adam Hoeflich, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Fred Latsko, Sarah J. Nolan, Northern Trust, Abby McCormick O'Neil and D. Carroll Joynes, Denise Stefan-Ginascol and John Ginascol, Michael Strauss, Target, Paul and Ellen Gignilliat, Ann and Richard Tomlinson, and Mark Ferguson.

Spotlight Ball Sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Ross Bricker / Jenner & Block LLP, Sidney and Sondra Berman Epstein, Patti Eylar and Charles Gardner, GDP Charitable Trust, Sandra and Jack Guthman, ITW, Anne Kaplan, Jim and Kay Mabie, Martha and Adam Metz, Mary and John Raitt, Ellis and Sally Regenbogen, Lauren Robishaw, Camille E. Rudge / The PrivateBank Corporation, and Deborah and Kelly L. Stonebraker.

Spotlight Ball Patrons included Athletico Physical Therapy, Dirk Denison and David Salkin, Damian V. Dolyniuk and Ross and Tricia Shelleman, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, Andi and Jim Gordon / The Edgewater Funds, Richard Ehrie / ARI, Marty and Jack Higgins / Higgins Development Partners, Mark and Julie Hosfield, Joni S. Jacobsen / Dechert LLP, Sylvie Legere and Todd Ricketts, McDermott Will & Emery, Jim Mabie / William Blair & Company LLC, Marc Miller and Chris Horsman, Byron and Judy Pollock, Richard L. Rodes, Schiff Hardin LLP, Carter and Jeffrey Sharfstein, Mary Kay Shaw, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Silverman, Marjorie Staples and Winston & Strawn LLP; Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP; and Charles W. Mulaney, Jr. / Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

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