Shana Mallin and Sam Bassin
Karen Ettelson, Judy Castellini and Evey Schweig
Karen Ettelson, Judy Castellini and Evey Schweig
Maestro James Levine and the CSO
The tent provided a gorgeous haven from the storm.
Marta Aznavoorian and Joanne Bernstein chicly brave the rain and wind.
Malin and Bob Vasa
Carmen and Courtney Hollowell
As a tumultuous storm raged outside, nearly 700 guests were treated to an evening of celebration, remembrance and—of course—music at the 50th annual Ravinia Women’s Board Gala.
THE PARTY After being welcomed into a gorgeous chandelier-laden tent designed by Event Creative, guests—who were dressed in their black-tie best—mixed and mingled with cocktails and small bites in hand.
THE PEOPLE Co-chairs Karen Ettelson and Evey Schweig welcomed revered American conductor (and former Ravinia music director) James Levine, whose Ravinia homecoming has been more than two decades in the making. The crowd easily drowned out the storm when Levine came onstage to lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Mahler’s Resurrection symphony. To commemorate the importance of the evening, Ettelson and Schweig presented Levine with a conductor’s baton handcrafted from an ash tree grown on the Ravinia grounds—a fruitful homecoming, indeed.
THE PINNACLE The evening raised over $1 million to support the festival’s education programs, which help start and maintain elementary school orchestras in Lake County and Chicago public schools. Nothing can steal Ravinia’s thunder! –Lily Sperry; photos by Patrick Gipson
Photography by:
