"Swank Supper Club Soirée"
Ravenswood Billboard Factory
March 29th, 2008
Please click on photos for enlargements.
All photographs © 2008 Jason Kaczorowski
Lycée Français de Chicago is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational day school serving 440 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Their mission is to prepare young people to be responsible global citizens by providing a dual-language education focused on excellence through the French National Curriculum and complemented by a strong English Language Arts and American Studies program.
Their multicultural, dual-language curriculum brings together the best of the French and American education systems. It not only enhances the students' interpersonal, communication, and academic skills, it also helps them distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive world. The Lycée belongs to the renowned worldwide French school system, which ensures the consistency and cohesiveness of its curriculum.
Created in 1995 by a group of French and American parents, with substantial backing from French businesses and the support of the Consul General of France in Chicago, the Lycée fills the needs of the French-speaking community in the Midwest, while helping to expand the understanding of French language and culture. It provides a compelling educational experience for the broader Chicago Community and contributes to the widespread recognition of Chicago as an international, multicultural city.
The annual Soirée is the school's premier fundraising event, sponsored by national and international businesses. Each spring, this gala event provides a wonderful opportunity for the entire parent community to come together in support of the school. The Soirée committee, comprised of tireless and dedicated volunteers, spends months planning every detail of the event—from choosing the location and menu to securing auction and raffle prizes, working with teachers and students to create one-of-a-kind art projects for guests to bid on, and managing the evening's activities and entertainment. While the theme of the Soirée changes from year to year, the event always includes dining, dancing, champagne and a great deal of fun. All proceeds benefit the school's general operating budget, as well as occasional specific programs and projects.
2008's edition was dubbed the "Swank Supper Club Soirée" and was hosted at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory - Chicago's premier urban banquet event space - by soirée committee head Gina Marino-Kalish, wife of Executive Chef Andy Kalish whose delicious Blue Rooster Catering Company provided both exceptional food and service for the incredible gala event.
The Billboard Factory, which houses one of America's premier collections of vintage European and American sports cars along with an impressive collection of historically significant early American prestige vehicles, was specially decorated and mood lit for the gala by Chicago's Event Creative, themed in the fabulous supper club stylings of 1950’s America combined with the romantic vibe of late night Parisian bistros. A crooning jazz quartet greeted guests as they mingled throughout the early evening enjoying hors d' oeuvres and champagne.
Donations were being accepted through the "Learning Tree" where attendees could purchase leaves in denominations ranging from $25.00 - $500.00 and affix them to the tree to aid in the further educational enrichment opportunities for the children of Lycée Français de Chicago. A silent auction featured artwork created by the children while a mid-meal auction offered fabulous prizes benefitting the coeducational day school students.
After an incredible dinner, donors danced the night away until the early hours of Sunday morning to the beats of a club D.J.
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