Countdown to Gala!

In addition to the “main event,” the Auxiliary Gala Team creates three other events prior to Opening Night Gala, as well as the beloved Post Performance Party.  The first of these satellite events is the Launch Party, chaired this year by Stephanie Russell. The party, which was held on December 5, was hosted by Brooks Brothers in their gorgeous store on Post Street. Brooks Brothers Store Assistant Manager Connie Dizon-Nunez along with the great staff of Peter, Pam, George, and Alta, couldn’t have been more gracious.

 As I noted in my remarks at the party, while we are still working hard (managing budgets, selling tickets, planning a million logistics), the Launch Party marks a turning point in the process.  It’s really the first time that we take a moment to gather SF Ballet supporters and those who have worked so hard on behalf of the Ballet to celebrate our progress and to thank all involved.  Brooks Brothers created a fun and festive evening, with holiday music played by a jazz band, delicious food, and a really cool Holiday Spritzer cocktail with Grey Goose vodka and a “holly like” garnish of mint and cranberries that looked as good as it tasted!  Brooks Brothers also provided a generous discount to SF Ballet supporters and a percentage of proceeds from the evening was donated to the Ballet.  Highlights of the evening included chatting with Robert Oren from the BB line extension Black Fleece, and the fabulous SF Ballet dancers, including Garen Scribner and Maria Kochetkova, who joined the fun.