Photo Flash: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Honors Mikhail Baryshnikov at Season 36 Spotlight Ball

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, one of the world's premier dance organizations, together with event chair Richard L. Rodes and Meg Siegler Callahan, chair of Hubbard Street's board of directors, hosted the Season 36 Spotlight Ball on Monday, May 19 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The event raised more than $775,000 for Hubbard Street's artistic, community-focused, education and youth programming. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended to present Hubbard Street's Spotlight Award to renowned performer Mikhail Baryshnikov, for his innumerable contributions to dance appreciation and artistic excellence in the United States. More than 550 additional guests included Nora Daley Conroy, senior advisor at Metropolis Strategies and chair of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's board of trustees; Sean Conroy, vice president of Grosvenor Capital Management; Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel LLC; Steve "Mac" MacLellan, Central Region president for Northern Trust Wealth Management; Gabrielle Rousso, executive and school director for the Art Center-Highland Park; fashion designer Kahindo Mateene, season 12 contestant on Project Runway; and Peter Taub, director of performance programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

The event began at 6:00 pm with cocktails and a VIP reception with Mr. Baryshnikov. Following the hosts' remarks and a video produced by Emmy Award-winning HMS Media, featuring Hubbard Street's 18-member main company of dancers, attendees enjoyed a three-course dinner, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Astrolabe wines, plus an exclusive sneak preview of Hubbard Street's collaboration in progress with The Second City, to premiere October 16-19 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

Introducing the preview performance, Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton said: "It is significant to note as well all the other collaborations with our peer organizations around the world, in dance and the performing arts, and those incredible individuals who are advocates for the importance of what we do. Thanks to all of you here tonight for being a part of the collaboration called Hubbard Street."

Calling Hubbard Street among "the greatest ambassadors around the country and around the world for the cultural quality of life we have here in the city of Chicago," Mayor Emanuel welcomed Mr. Baryshnikov to the stage. For a select few performers, observed Emanuel, "the world is their audience. You have been one of those artists." Mr. Baryshnikov then accepted the company's Spotlight Award, thanking Emanuel for advocating for the importance of the arts, and praising Hubbard Street for building "a brand name" recognized around the world. "It's a stamp of excellence," said the Tony- and Oscar-nominated performer, Kennedy Center Honoree in 2000 and recipient of the National Medal of Honor.

Ellie Bednarz, in the fourth grade at Ellen Mitchell Elementary School, where Hubbard Street provides in-classroom dance education, said: "I get to make my own choreography and learn how to be an effective collaborator and leader. Even if I don't become a dancer, I will still be able use those skills in whatever I choose to do." Cynthia Bednarz explained that fostering her daughter's interest in dance, by enrolling her in Hubbard Street's Youth Dance Program, "wasn't in our budget, but Ellie's scholarship made it possible. There are hundreds of families like ours, all over the city of Chicago, who love how Hubbard Street strengthens our communities and enriches all of our lives through the experience of dance."

Silent bidding and a live auction helmed by Jason Lamoreaux raised more than $150,000 the night of the event, by offering VIP access toLollapalooza, the Emmy Awards and Watch What Happens Live with Bravo TV star Andy Cohen; the opportunity to run dinner service at award-winning Chicago restaurant Embeya; luxury getaways to the Mediterranean, Quebec City, Nantucket Island and Park City, Utah; and much more. The gala evening concluded with dancing to music by DJ Konsept.

Visit hubbardstreetdance.com to learn more.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Girard