Photograph by Jon Cancelino

Tango anyone? The Friends of Gorton 37^th annual gala, Small Dance for a Big Cause, will take guests back in time. This year’s event, It Takes Two, The Argentinian Tango, will be held on Saturday, June 26, at half past six in the evening. Karena and Ron Garriques have graciously opened their lakefront home in Lake Forest for the event. The 1913 Howard Van Doren Shaw masterpiece is the perfect backdrop for the gala.

The worldwide spread of the tango came in the early 1900s when wealthy sons of Argentine society traveled to Paris and introduced the tango to Parisians eager for innovation, and not entirely averse to the risqué nature of the dance. By 1913, the tango had become an international phenomenon in Paris, London and New York. Women's fashion also adapted to lighter, looser dresses to accommodate the agile moves required to tango.

This year’s black-tie evening will feature a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing. Tango Dancers from the American Tango Institute in Chicago will tango and perhaps inspire guests to try out the dance on their own.

Established in 1972, Gorton Center is a historic school beautifully restored as a community house in the heart of Lake Forest. Its mission is to enrich lives through cultural arts, education, and charitable services. In addition to its own performing arts and educational programs for all ages, Gorton Center welcomes over 100 charitable organizations annually for meetings, events, and fundraisers. No property tax dollars are used; operations and improvements are funded solely by private gifts and the proceeds of user fees. Gorton is located at 400 East Illinois Road in Lake Forest

For more information about Gorton’s Small Dance for a Big Cause, contact event Chair Tina Ballis at 847-772-5600. Tickets are $250 per person with advance purchase required, and premium seating is available. To purchase tickets, visit www.gortoncenter.org or call (847) 234-6060.