Opening night works its magic
Music by Tchaikovsky floated out of the War Memorial House and spilled onto Van Ness Avenue, followed by the trains of a hundred ball gowns.
The light rain proved little challenge for determined attendees of the San Francisco Ballet’s 2017 Opening Night Gala on Thursday night, Jan. 19. After all, the annual kickoff has taken place in one way or another for 83 years, and if dollar signs are any indication, the ballet’s 84th year is a charm.
“I feel blessed that we were able to have a really successful event
with very happy sponsors and very happy guests,” gushed Gala Chair Avé Seltsam as she finally enjoyed a glass of Champagne. “And also, that we made a lot of money for our treasured Ballet.”
Seltsam wasn’t kidding. The Ballet’s season-opening gala is always a big deal, but this year’s cocktail reception, formal dinner for over 900, two-hour season preview performance and after-party attended by upward of 2,400 guests grossed the institution $2.8 million. “I’m proud,” beamed Seltsam. “I am so proud.”
The night’s theme — other than fundraising — was Ever Magical. Along with the gala’s decor chair Claire Kostic, event impresario J. Riccardo Benavides and his team were tasked with transforming San Francisco City Hall into a pastel palace of mirrors and roses.
Real San Francisco Ballet costumes hung from above, swaying slightly thanks to strategically placed fans below. Dinner tables were swathed in gold-rosette-covered tablecloths before each was laden with gilded chargers, massive spotlit floral centerpieces and Tiffany-blue menus — a nod to dinner sponsor Tiffany & Co. Even the food was designed to match the night’s theme, right down to the 24-Karat Salad of ruby grapefruit, emerald green beans and golden beets.
Dinner chair Meg Ray was a little worried that the night’s entree choice of salmon wouldn’t be hearty enough for some male guests. “But salmon has that nice pink color,” smiled Ray, who’d worked with caterers at McCalls to keep the menu “very ethereal, airy, light and magical.”
“This year, the magic is in unfolding and finding things,” explained Rose Haft, a 30-yearold tech CEO who has attended the ballet gala in years past. Four stories above her, glowing silhouettes of ballet dancers were projected in the dome of the City Hall rotunda. The subtle detail offered a big impact to anyone whose glance made it that high.
“I’d rather have more tutus,” lamented Benavides.
Following dinner, patrons, benefactors and grand benefactors made their way across Van Ness Avenue to join the thousands already inside the War Memorial Opera House in time for the performance. The big draws at this season’s preview were two world premieres. One, “The Chairman Dances,” was choreographed by Benjamin Millepied. The other world premiere, a piece by choreographer Trey McIntyre titled “Presentce,” was an absolute showstopper. Overall, the eclectic and fast-moving dance program was a hit with ballet rookies and veterans alike.
“The dancing was magical, because we’re really good at that. But the pacing?” explained Ballet board member Miles Archer Woodlief of the evening’s performance, “It was near genius in that regard.”
Amid the designer gowns and clouds of perfume, Ballet Board of Directors Chairman Carl Pascarella drove home the broader importance of the event. “The Ballet is part of the cultural fabric of the city. We’re diverse, we’re international ...” Pascarella caught himself. “We’re more than international. We’re global.”
“Arts organizations improve communities,” agreed After Party co-chair Michelle Harris. “Decade after decade, century after century, I think it’s remained clear that supporting the arts is incredibly important.”
If enticing new patrons is the Ballet’s key to staying alive, the gala’s after-party is the bait. The $175 tickets provided guests with creative catered food stations like colorful dim sum, vegan grilled-cheese sandwiches and a roving ice cream cart, not to mention a handful of very open bars and a selection of dance floors and DJs.
Few high-end patrons from the night’s big-ticket dinner showed up back at City Hall post-performance. The afterparty was loud, crowded and fabulous. Soft, ethereal magic had been swapped out for purple mood lighting and booming dance music. Women wrapped flowing dresses between their knees, kicked off their stilettos and sat on the grand staircase beneath the rotunda.
Many at the after-party weren’t regular Ballet supporters. A lot of happy guests seemed more excited by the chance to dress way up and hit a gala with friends than to become patrons of the arts. And that, by the way, is just fine with the event’s organizers.
“We want them to have a great time,” explained Gala Operations Chair Catherine Bergstrom. “And if they feel connected to us and come back to the Ballet, all the better.”
Local artists Phillip Maisel and Mik Gaspay were bemused with the post-gala festivities, particularly as the event was held on the eve of a new presidential administration.
“It’s weird timing,” said Gaspay of the glamorous festivities. “Who knows what tomorrow’s going to bring?”
Maisel looked around City Hall and added, “I guess we’re going to the gala tonight, and tomorrow we’re coming here to protest.”