Parties on Opening Night at San Francisco Ballet

Clara Shayevich in an evening ensemble by Vasily Vein, with Joel Goodrich

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Vanessa Zahorian

Shy White wearing a gown she designed for the occasion, with Mario Pace

Choreographer Benjamin Millepied with San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Maria Kochetkova

San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala: Ever Magical

Before and after the San Francisco Ballet season-opening performance at the War Memorial Opera House, guests met for cocktails, dining, and dancing at City Hall.

San Francisco Ballet Gala 2017

San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary organized three dinners for Grand Benefactors, Benefactors, and Patrons with the theme of Ever Magical. Avé M. Seltsam served as Gala chair with Meg Ray leading the Gala dinners, all of which sold out well in advance. Vicki and David Cox were recognized as honorary chairs for the events. Décor chair Claire Kostic chose J. Riccardo Benavides for the event styling.

Post-performance, the audience nearly all of the dancers made their way to the After Party celebration that featured DJ Chris Clouse, silent disco by Silent Storm, and live music by Pop Rocks. Michelle Harris and Marie Hemphill served as chairs for the After Party.

Scenes from the parties on opening night at San Francisco Ballet, January 19th:

San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala: Ever Magical

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Lorena Feijoo

Mark Rhoades and Pernella Sommerville

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Mathilde Froustey with Jeshua Bratman

Jeanne Lawrence and Claudia Ross

Chris Clark and Maggie Winterfeldt Clark

Elena Miller

Jessica Moment and Jason Moment

Kara Cissell-Roell and Kate Duhamel

Robin Collins and Debra Leylegian

Betsy Linder in a gown designed by Karen Caldwell

Karen Caldwell in a dress of her own design

Ryan Strongin with San Francisco Ballet Soloist WanTing Zhao

Pop Rocks!

The Gala performance sponsored by Elizabeth Pang Fullerton and Teri and Andy Goodman featured eleven classical and contemporary works. Included in the one-night-only opening Gala repertoire were two new works from acclaimed choreographers Trey McIntyre and Benjamin Millepied.

The event launched San Francisco Ballet’s 2017 Repertory Season, which includes three full-length productions: Helgi Tomasson’s Swan Lake, Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella^©, and the North American premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Frankenstein. The season also offers an array of choreographers such as George Balanchine, Justin Peck, and Alexei Ratmansky, and world premieres by Jiří Bubeníček, Arthur Pita, Yuri Possokhov, and Myles Thatcher.

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

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

• Fashion on Opening Night at San Francisco Ballet (2017)
• VIPs at the Ballet on Opening Night (2017)
• San Francisco Ballet Sets the Bar[re] (2016)
• Encores on San Francisco Ballet Opening Night (2016)
• A Provocative Opening Night (2016)
• Red Carpet Style on Opening Night at the Ballet (2015)
• Infinite Romance at San Francisco Ballet Gala (2015)
• Cute Couples at Encore!’s Opening Night Party (2015)
• A Phenomenal Night for San Francisco Ballet (2014)
• Red Carpet Favorites at San Francisco Ballet Gala (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)