Infinite Romance at San Francisco Ballet Gala

Davit Karapetyan and Vanessa Zahorian Karapetyan

Emily Novosel, John Kim

San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala Honorary Chairs Stephanie Marver and Jim Marver

Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson opened San Francisco Ballet’s 82nd Repertory Season with the theme of Infinite Romance on January 22, 2015, at the War Memorial Opera House. Twelve classical and contemporary works and excerpts were presented onstage as part of the one-night-only program.

Prior to the performance, three black-tie fundraising dinners took place across the street at City Hall. The San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary hosted some 800 guests at the Grand Benefactor, Benefactor, and Patron dinners led by Gala Chair Shelby T. Strudwick. Gala Dinner Chair Carolyn C. Chang, M.D. Décor Chair Patty Rock and her committee worked with J Riccardo Benavides to create a romantic environment. ENCORE!, the social and networking group of young professionals supporting SF Ballet, hosted a cocktail buffet for 200 in the South Light Court, chaired by Greer Goings. Click here for some of our favorite red carpet gowns on opening night.

Nigel Sutton with San Francisco Ballet Gala Chair Shelby Strudwick

Terra Sollman, Erich Sollman

Huifen Chan, Roelof Botha

Paula Carano, Bandel Carano

Sheree Chambers, Jeff Garelick

Jane Mudge, Nellis Smith

Kylie Mar, Oliver Mar

Mainul Mondal, Marie Hurabiell

Ted Dobos, Stacey Dobos

Komal Shah, Gaurav Garg

Richard Dixon, Jessica Levitz

Michael Mauze, Alison Mauze

Jerry Yang, Akiko Yamazaki

James Herbert, Cecilia Herbert, Marlene Tomasson, Helgi Tómasson

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

Red Carpet Bay Area could not help but notice and admire the couples out for the romance-inspired evening. We held a “Cutest Couple” at the ENCORE! Gala contest on our Facebook page. In case you missed it, ENCORE! Gala Vice Chair Bridget Dixen Nguyen and her husband Mike Nguyen received the most votes and won red-carpet style treatments from our sponsors, MilVali Salon and Epi Center MedSpa.

— Related: Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of more San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala events:

• Red Carpet Style on Opening Night at the Ballet (2015)
• Cute Couples at Encore!’s Opening Night Party (2015)
• A Phenomenal Night for San Francisco Ballet (2014)
• The Late Scene on Opening Night at San Francisco Ballet (2014)
• San Francisco Ballet’s Global Tribute (2013)
• Encore! on Opening Night for San Francisco Ballet (2013)
• High Style at San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala (2012)
• Date Night at the Ballet (2012)
• San Francisco Ballet Gala Honors Helgi Tomasson (2010)
• Encore! Gala for San Francisco Ballet (2010)
• San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala Video (2009)