THE JOFFREY BALLET’S JOFFREY FOR ALL FREE PERFORMANCE RETURNS TO PRITZKER PAVILION WITH WORLD-CLASS MIXED REPERTORY JULY 16, 2024

By now you know I’m a long term (from their beginnings!) devotee of The Joffrey Ballet, their performances are always not to be missed events and their commitment to giving all of Chicago the privilege and true delight of seeing them perform for FREE is a treat beyond compare! Mark your calendar now to take advantage of this exceptional gift everyone can enjoy in our wonderful Pritzker Pavilion with our glorious skyline as a backdrop!

The follow in is the press release I received this morning…

“Family-friendly event kicks off with movement classes featuring partner organizations”

 

“May 20, 2024 (Chicago) – The Joffrey Ballet announces the programming for the Joffrey for All free performance, whichwill feature a mixed repertory program in Millennium Park by Joffrey Company Artists and students from the Joffrey Academy of Dance Community Engagement programs. The program is comprised of a series of powerful performances by the most pioneering choreographers from around the globe, including Cathy Marston, Justin Peck, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon, and 2024 Winning Works Choreographer Manoela Gonçalves. TheJoffrey Ballet for All free performance kicks off with family-friendly movement classes featuring partner organizations, including the Poetry Foundation and Ensemble Español, starting at 4:15pm on the lawn, followed by the mixed rep program at 5:30pm on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE says, “The Joffrey for All free performance is truly a gift to the people of Chicago, offering the opportunity to see works by powerhouse choreographers, in addition to pieces illustrating the breadth of our Academy and Community Engagement programs.I am especially delighted to share an excerpt from Carousel: A Dance by Christopher Wheeldon, which will be the final performance by retiring artist Christine Rocas, who celebrates 20 illustrious years at the Joffrey. Audiences will also see works from our upcoming 2024-2025 season: Yuri Possokhov’s Andante and Cathy Marston’s Heimat (a preview of the beauty to come in our season opener, Atonement).“

 Joffrey President and CEO Greg Cameron says, “The first-ever Joffrey for All free performance took place in June 2023, opening our arms to over 7,500 Chicagoans in the heart of the city. This year, with gratitude to our Producing Sponsor, Gallagher, we are planning an even larger celebration by partnering with community organizations for free dance workshops to allow everyone to experience the joy of dance. The Joffrey for All free performance reflects the collaborative spirit of the city of Chicago and the power of the arts to bring people together.”

 The Joffrey for All free performance features world-class works that are captivating for audiences of all ages. Highlights include Yuri Possokhov’s Andante, a pas de trois set to Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto #2; Cathy Marston’s Heimat, which paints a halcyon picture of a family in the Swiss countryside; an excerpt from Carousel: A Dance by Christopher Wheeldon, the internationally renowned choreographer of the Joffrey’s perennial favorite, The Nutcracker; and The Times Are Racing, a modern piece by West Side Story and Illinoise choreographer Justin Peck, set to the last four tracks of Dan Deacon’s expansive 2012 album, America.

 The program also features a moving new solo by 2024 Winning Works choreographer Manoela Gonçalves, Benteveo (saudade), set to a score by Nina Simone. Benteveo, named after the famous Latin American bird known for its singing, is Gonçalves’s tribute to her late father, who she describes as “the inspiration for this piece. His freedom could only be represented by a bird following the melody of its own song.”

 The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for the support of the Joffrey for All free performance Producing Sponsor Gallagher, and Presenting Sponsors The Chicago Free for All Fund through the Chicago Community Trust, Anne L. Kaplan, The Negaunee Foundation, The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet, and Zell Family Foundation.

 Co-Chairs: AARP Illinois, Abbott, Crain’s Chicago Business, Brendan Fernandes, Sonja and Conrad Fischer, ITW, Kovler Family Foundation, Willie and Nichelle Mayberry, and Sarah Wills.

 

About Joffrey for All

The Joffrey Ballet’sJoffrey for All free performance commemorates the Joffrey’s mission to create a Joffrey for All. In the last decade, Joffrey has launched several initiatives to welcome dancers of all backgrounds into the Chicago dance community. These include offering more than $500,000 in scholarships and financial aid annually to increase access to professional and educational opportunities regardless of financial barriers, and a state-of-the-art studio space at 1920 S. Wabash to expand the Company’s access to students from Chicago’s south and west sides.

The Joffrey for Allstrategic planforms pathways for every person to experience the joy of dance. Launched in summer 2023, Dancing with Parkinson’s, offered by the Joffrey Ballet’s Community Engagement division in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, is a supportive space to explore dance for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. The Joffrey Academy of Dance also offers Adaptive Dance programs for neurodivergent students and students with diverse movement abilities to improve their mind and body awareness while engaging in creative expression. 

 About The Joffrey Ballet­­

The Joffrey Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the world today, with a reputation for boundary-breaking performances for more than 65 years. The Joffrey repertoire is an extensive collection of all-time classics, modern masterpieces, and original works.

 Founded in 1956 by pioneers Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, the Joffrey remains dedicated to artistic expression, innovation, and first-rate education and engagement programming. The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE and President and CEO Greg Cameron.

 The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for the support of its 2023–2024 Season Sponsors: Abbott Fund, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, Anne L. Kaplan, The Florian Fund, and Margot and Josef Lakonishok.  

 Live Music Sponsors: Sandy and Roger Deromedi, Sage Foundation, Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation, The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music. The Joffrey also acknowledges our Season Partners: ATHLETICO, Chicago Athletic Clubs, and Jewell Events Catering. 

 For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, visit joffrey.org. Connect with the Joffrey onFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.”

PHOTOS BY KATIE MILLER…

Not a sponsored post it comes from my heart

 

Here is the invitation with all the details of the event! A MUST for your calendar!

I have a very special treat for you….I have been given exclusive preview access to some photos from the upcoming auction and they are stunners!!!!

You may recall I did a blog post last fall to introduce you to Tanner Branson, Specialist, Head of Sales, Luxury Handbags & Couture, and show the Carolina Herrera garment that I put up for auction (by the way it went to its new home for the top estimate and it was a delightful experience throughout the process!! Just saying…)

I asked Tanner a few questions I thought would be of interest to you….here are his responses…

How do you decide if you want an item/collection?

I am mostly focused on collecting luxury handbags now, especially the rare and unusual fromHermès and Chanel. The department changed names last year to Luxury Handbags & Couturewith a focus more on handbags than ever before. There are many factors I consider if an item or collection is right to bring to auction including rarity and condition but also is it new to market? Not all pieces are but many are directly from the original owners and fresh to market. I also consider if there is special interest around an item, designer, or collection. For example, we are starting to see the pendulum swing in the opposite direction from quiet luxury to the loud and bold, the “Mob Wife” trend on social media has clearly caught on. Fashion lovers and collectors are craving pieces that are bold and striking, Spring Fashion is just the place to find those pieces. One will find a collection of not only luxury handbags from some of the top creators but also a strong collection of 1980-90s Gucci to modern pieces of Chanel RTW and much more, the sale is a journey through fashion history.

 What is an average size Auction….is there such a thing?

The average auction ranges between 300 and 350 lots. Spring Fashion has just under 350 lots.

 What would you like my readers to know about your process of getting clothing/handbags?

I love the discovery process of finding a piece that has been buried away in a closet and bringing it to life by putting it up for auction. In Spring Fashion there is a collection of Haute Couture pieces from the late 1920s to the 1940s, this is the first time any of these pieces have been brought to auction. Sometimes the process is working with an estate or clients who are simply deaccessioning pieces from their wardrobe or handbag collections. 

 Which of the garments do you think is the most rare? (of the photos you sent me)

The Hollywood Costumes are certainly amongst the rarest of offerings in Spring Fashion, with pieces worn by Katharine Hepburn, Mae West, and Judy Garland.

 Anything else you want to share?

I would like for your readers to know how easy it is to bid at auction. I know that many are intimidated about bidding at auction, its actually very simple and addicting. More information on how to bid in Spring Fashion visit our website https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/1312-Spring-Fashion-and-Accessories

Freeman’s | Hindman is pleased to present our first Fashion and Luxury Accessories auction of the year featuring luxury handbags, couture, and more from the most desired designers in the fashion world including Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and many more”.

Thank you so much Tanner for sharing this insightful information…now let’s look at some of these extra special pieces!

Since we are in movie award season let’s first look at three very unique items from vintage cinema worn by icons in the industry…

Gown worn by Mae West as Peaches O’Day from the film “Every Day’s a Holiday”, 1937, made by Elsa Schiaparelli

Worn by Judy Garland as Veronica Fisher in “The Good Old Summertime”, 1949, made by Irene

Worn by Katharine Hepburn as Lady Cynthia Darrington in the film “Christopher Strong”, 1933, made by Walter Plunkett

Can you even imagine having one of these showstoppers….well, yes, you can…make your bid!!!!

Want something a bit more wearable…look no further….just a small sampling of what will be in the March 12th offerings.

From Saks Fifth Avenue’s own Sophie Gimbel’s Salon Moderne, that was in the Fifth Avenue store, the pieces are from the “Property From A Chicago Lady”…when days of understated glamour existed! To me these are reminiscent of the garments worn by Capote’s “Swans”.

Talk about uniquely exquisite….the bridal gown….oh my!!

There are always fantastic designer pieces in the auctions….which just seem to get better, more diverse and gorgeous …here are more from “Property From A Chicago Lady”, be prepared to be gobsmacked….

Perhaps something a bit more modern…..this early, 1965, Oscars de la Renta for Jane Derby…..a breathtakingly gown!

Intrigued….they all can be yours! Thank you, Tanner, for this extraordinary sneak peek at a selection of your outstanding offerings!

DETAILS….

The first Luxury Handbag & Couture Sale of the year. 

Spring Fashion Sale Date: March 12^th

Preview Dates: By appointment only, contact Tannerbranson@Hindmanauctions.com

Link to Freeman’s | Hindman website: 

https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions

Hindman | Freeman’s Instagram – @Hindmanauctions and @Freemansauciton

 

I just posted a review of Stan Herman’s memoir UNCROSS YIUR KEGS A Life in Fashion on Amazon and Good Reads…I am sharing it here….

“READ ALL ABOUT IT!

What is “it” you might ask…fashion, absolutely…lifestyle, indeed…relationships, nothing but the truth….longevity, you tell me, he is 95 after all!

A man for all seasons and all decades, Stan Herman, has written a memoir that will engage and inform you on so many levels you will read and re-read it to capture all the nuances between its covers.

His tenure as longest serving President of CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), along with Executive Director, Fern Mallis, helped shape the American fashion industry as we know it today.

Here is a man who is so much more that a “sum of his parts”. His interests are so varied, from design, both clothing and interiors, his wonderful sketches (many in the book along with fantastic photos), to his deep love of opera, music, theater, literature….the list goes on.

A couple of personal notes…I first met Stan when he was designing women’s ready to wear under the brand, Mr. Mort…we were both quite young….I was at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago, and he visited with trunk shows of his very wearable/salable collections. The Saks buyers always had an eye out for new young talent and Stan filled that bill to perfection. Fast forward to December 2023 when I had the great pleasure of being in conversation with him to talk about his memoir for my monthly nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club. A truly joyful, insightful chat.

I could make this a very long review…instead I suggest you get the book, you won’t be disappointed, it is a treasure and a treasure trove of this unique creator.

Everyone loves Stan, you will too!”

In addition I thought you would enjoy this YouTube link of a wonderful dialogue between best friends Jeffrey Banks and Stan. You know Jeffrey from reviews I’ve done of his books staring with the incredible monograph NORELL Master of American Fashion and a huge supporter of my monthly nenasnotes The Fashion Book and The Fashion Film Clubs…

Since I no longer entertain in my home, and I really miss it, I thought I would share a couple of ideas for your Holiday gatherings…my BFF’s, The Toms, recently hosted a part of a Holiday house walk at their Bertrand Goldberg designed Mid-Century Modern home and presented their guests with these incredible charcuterie boards…amazing. You might like to include them in your festivities I’m sending them to you just in time for you to recreate them. They look too good to dig into but then…….

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!