Ruth Page Center for the Arts Hosts 2016 Legacy Gala Tonight

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts will hold its annual Ruth Page Legacy Gala at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., tonight, May 14. The evening begins at 5:15 p.m. with a Sponsor and Patron Reception, followed by the Gala dinner, a live auction, award presentations and dancing from

7 - 11 p.m. Gala Co-Chairs are Dan Conley and Gloria L. Materre and the evening will be hosted by Emmy award-winning WGN News Anchor Micah Materre. This year's live auction will be run by Chicago comedian, radio commentator, and author Aaron Freeman.

This year, the Ruth Page Center honors the Director of the Escuela Nacional de Ballet in Cuba, Ramona de Saa, with the International Cultural Partner Award for her efforts in helping to establish the historic cultural exchange program between her school and the Ruth Page School of Dance. This exchange was the first of its kind between art institutions since relations have normalized with Cuba and the U.S and was partially funded by the MacArthur Foundation's International Connections Fund. Additionally, Copa Airlines will be presented with the Community Partner Award.

Gala tickets begin at $225 and proceeds from the 2016 Gala support the educational, outreach and artistic programs and services provided by the Ruth Page Foundation and its arts center, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. To purchase tickets, make a donation or for more information, visit www.ruthpage.org.

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts has for over forty years committed its resources to creating a dance destination in Chicago. Located at 1016 N. Dearborn Street, The Center serves the Chicago dance community by being an incubator, providing a home, office space, rehearsal space, performance opportunities, professional dance training, and marketing support for the up-and-coming companies and artists of Chicago's vibrant dance scene. Its mission is to ensure that children and dance artists have a place to study, work and perform at the highest level of excellence. Founded by Chicago icon and internationally-renown performer and choreographer, Ruth Page, the Center reflects her vision of supporting dance excellence in Chicago. Emanating from the Illinois heartland, the visionary work of Ruth Page influenced the growth of theater design, opera-ballet, and dance. She achieved worldwide recognition as a true pioneer of dance in America by creating at the forefront of social, political and artistic issues. As a prominent force in the Chicago arts community, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts continues that legacy through its initiatives and programs that nurture the art form of dance, and by being an arts incubator for emerging and established artists and organizations.

About Micah Materre - Micah Materre is an Emmy award winning journalist and anchor of the WGN Evening News and the WGN News at Nine. Prior to being appointed anchor of the WGN News at Nine in 2009, she was co-anchor of WGN Midday News from January, 2003 to October, 2009. Micah joined Chicago's WGN-TV in January 1998 as a WGN Morning News co-anchor and medical reporter. Micah has anchored all of the newscasts at WGN, as well as covering entertainment news and special assignment stories, including the historic inauguration of America's first black President. In addition, Micah reports and produces the "Chicago's Very Own" bi-weekly segment for WGN News and she is the host of WGN's public affairs program, "People to People."

About Aaron Freeman - Aaron Freeman is a comedian, filmmaker, director, teacher and radio commentator. He frequently performs with Second City and is a sought-after humorous speaker across America. In 1983, Aaron created and performed the runaway hit satire, Council Wars, a term that has subsequently become a part of Chicago's political vocabulary. For ten years he hosted a popular television talk show, Talking with Aaron Freeman, and later hosted and was chief science correspondent for Chicago Public Television's science and technology program Chicago Tomorrow. Aaron is also well known to Midwestern radio audiences as the former host of his acclaimed weekly NPR show, Metropolis. Along with long-time friend and collaborator Rob Kolson, Aaron created the long-running political/financial comedy Do the White Thing and its critically lauded sequel, Gentlemen Prefer Bonds.

The 2016 Ruth Page Legacy Gala is graciously sponsored by the following:

Table Sponsors: Tom Chakos, Dan and Susan Conley, Thea Flaum, Eugene Jarvis and Sasha Gerritson, David and Lynn Kravis, Luz Maria Santamarina and Juliet Sorensen, Sara S. Schumann, Salme Harju Steinberg, Michael Hugos and Venetia Stifler, and Wintrust
Patron and Sponsor Reception Wine Sponsor: Eugene Jarvis and Sasha Gerritson
Gala Evening Wine Sponsor: Carlucci Rosemont

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