RAVINIA GALA

The Ravinia Festival’s annual fundraising gala, hosted by the Ravinia Women’s Board, was a dazzling success, raising more than $760,000 to support the festival’s Reach Teach Play education programs. These programs serve more than 20,000 people across Chicagoland, ensuring that many area schools and communities have equitable access to music. The highlight of the evening was a captivating performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by the Dancing Skies Foundation. The performance, expertly curated and hosted by actor and director Rob Lindley, and conducted by Broadway veteran Kevin Stites, honored the legacy of iconic American composer and multi-talented artist, Henry Mancini. Broadway stars Jessie Mueller, Norm Lewis, and Karen Mason, as well as special guest Monica Mancini and the Ravinia Jazz Mentors & Scholars, joined the CSO in performing many of Mancini’s timeless themes. The night concluded with an elegant mid-century-themed dinner. ravinia.org