San Francisco Ballet set the bar[re] for formal events in 2018 with its Celestial Opening Night Gala on January 18. Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson presented a gala program highlighting the company’s 85th repertory season onstage at the War Memorial Opera House and San Francisco Ballet Gala Chair Kathy Huber set the scene at City Hall.
Festivities began at 5 pm with a cocktail reception in the Van Ness lobby of City Hall for guests of the Grand Benefactor, Benefactor, and Patron dinners. Dinners started at 6 pm in the Rotunda, Mezzanine, and North Light Court. Meanwhile, ENCORE!, the Ballet’s social and networking group of young professionals, hosted a cocktail buffet in the South Light Court.
Inside City Hall, the grand dome was transformed into a night sky for the celestial theme. Purple velvet and royal blue silk clothes with decadent floral arrangements covered the tables. Outside, as guests made their way across the street for the performance, Mother Nature added her touch of romance and drenched the party with rain.
Post-performance, the exciting After Party featured live music by Pop Rocks, the Ruth Davies Trio, and DJ Chris Clouse at City Hall.
Scenes from a Celestial Opening Gala for San Francisco Ballet:
Photos by Megan Bayley and Drew Altizer for Drew Altizer Photography
Highlights of San Francisco Ballet’s 2018 Season include Unbound: A Festival of New Works, 12 new works by the same number of innovative, international choreographers. An all-Robbins program will celebrate the centennial of Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein; and performances of Neumeier’s acclaimed Nijinsky by The National Ballet of Canada.
Red Carpet Bay Area Salutes the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Gala Committee
Gala Chair: Kathryn A. Huber
Dinner Chair: Betsy A. Linder
Décor Chair: Catherine Bergstrom
ENCORE! Gala Chair: Kelcie Lee
ENCORE! Gala Vice Chair: Jamie Lee Taylor
— Related — Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of more San Francisco Ballet opening events:
- The Red Carpet Scene on Opening Night (2018)
- Fashion on Opening Night at the Ballet (2017)
- Encores on San Francisco Ballet Opening Night (2016)
- A Provocative Opening Night (2016)
- The Best Events in San Francisco 2015
- 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)
- 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)
- The Encore! Scene on Opening Night (2011)
- San Francisco Ballet Gala Honors Helgi Tomasson (2010)
- Encore! Gala for San Francisco Ballet (2010)
- San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala Video (2009)