Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet

December 11

The Occasion: A tradition for many North Shore families, the Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet sponsored The 2010 Nutcracker Family Dinner, one of the most festive events of the season.

The Details: Hundreds flooded the ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago to take in a family-style dinner and a thrilling performance of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker.

The Highlights: The focus was not only on family, but also on the environment: décor included a 12-foot recycled water bottle tree, recycled Birch trees as “creation station” separators, and locally sourced poultry and vegetable products.

The VIPs: In charge of this year’s event were Suzette Bross Bulley and Odele Desmuke Hawkins, who helped dream up such interactive entertainment such as a popcorn stringing station complete with Garrett’s famous product, or the CircEsteem station, where the Chicago non-profit taught guests how to walk a tight wire and spin plates.

joffrey.org

Photography by Dan Rest