GALA UNDER THE STARS
Event attendees celebrate ballet, 50th anniversary of SPAC
On Saturday night, guests of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Ballet Gala traveled back in time to 1966 for the 50th anniversary celebration of the beloved venue.
While a black tie formal dinner took place inside of the Hall of Springs, outside on the lawn another crowd celebrated this milestone year under the stars. This year’s theme — Summer Soiree:1966 — had guests channeling their inner flower child.
The Ballet Gala is the main summer fundraising event for the Saratoga Performing Arts Center that supports the New York City Ballet, and is hosted by its Junior Committee.
Event co-chairs for this fabulous fiesta, Elizabeth DiNuzzo and Ryan Bouchey, couldn’t be caught as they rode around the lawn golfcart style, choosing the best male and female costumes and most creative tent set up. The tent of Meghan Murphy, Nick Faso, Becky Daniels, Phil and Kaity Mabey and Justin and Erica Pesta opted for a fallout shelter theme, complete with centerpieces of Spam and Campbell’s soup cans, to win the competition and have their names added to the tent trophy. The competition was tight, however: Mario Abate set up a wine tasting tent which drew quite a crowd; Junior Committee President Erica Browne and her group went coastal with their Lily Pulitzer themed setup; Philip and Linda Lama, owners of Rascals in Crossgates Mall, wowed with their elegant arrangement; while Laura Palkovich of Lily Saratoga stuck to the essentials in her tent, with desserts and classic touches of gold.
The casual picnic style setup allowed guests to bring their own food and drinks, but one thing everyone had in common was champagne! Bottles were spotted in every tent — and what better way to celebrate SPAC and toast to another 50 years. The vintage red Cadillac parked outside of the Hall of Springs made for a great photo opportunity where other guests, including sisters Samantha and Jennifer Kercull, Ryan and Ana Ventre and Eric Snell, could be seen striking a pose. At 8 p.m., guests made their way to the amphitheater for the premiere of a Justin Peck choreographed ballet performance which was breathtaking. After the performance, music by Soul Session brought gala-goers and lawn guests alike to the balloon flooded tent and onto the dance floor.
As the magical evening under the stars came to an end fireworks illuminated the sky, impressing the tired but happy crowd.
We cannot wait to see what next year’s theme will be for one of the best events of the summer season!