For the second time in two years I traveled from Boston to Chicago to attend the gala event for the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. My first time was in November 2012 when I was invited by Board Member, McGhee Williams Osse. This year I was again invited by Board Members McGhee Williams Osse and Dr. Linda C. O'Bannon.
Frantz Osse, McGhee Williams Osse, Dr. Linda C. O'Bannon and James Condon
This year marked the Auditorium’s 125th Gala Celebration and showcased the diversity and scope of talent that has graced the historic landmark stage since it opened its doors on December 9, 1889. The Auditorium put Chicago on the world map, paving the way for the city to host the 1893 World’s Fair. The storied National Historic Landmark designed by architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, along with their draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright, is helmed by Board Chairman Melvin L. Kattan, and Executive Director Brett Batterson. The awe inspiring history of the theatre was delivered by the evenings host John Mahoney (who has appeard in numerous theater roles earning him a Tony Award and Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, but everyone will remember him fondly as Martin Crane on the television series Frasier for eleven years). The history of the Auditorium Theatre lay claim to once being the largest building in the United States, the tallest building in Chicago and a transition into a bowling alley used as a serviceman's center during World War II.
In honor of the momentous anniversary, First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Michelle Obama, served as the Honorary Chair for the gala celebration and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule served as Honorary Co-Chairs. The Gala Dinner Celebration is sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation. The Auditorium Theatre will continue to celebrate its 125th anniversary with special programming throughout the 2014-2015 season. For more information on the Anniversary Season visit the Auditorium Theatre’s website.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel welcomed the Auditorium's 3,900 capacity audience to the evenings event followed by spectacular performances from Broadway star Patti Lupone, whose great-grand aunt, opera prima donna Adelina Patti also performed at the grand opening 125 years ago on December 9, 1889. (It should be noted that President Benjamin Harrison and Vice President Levi Morton were also in attendance at the 1889 grand opening.) Other performances include the Apollo Chorus who also performed at the 1889 grand opening, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, Hlengiwe Mkhwanzai and Eric Owens from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, dancers Rory Hohenstein and Christine Rocas from the Joffrey Ballet which has been in residence at the Auditorium Theatre for the past 16 years, Vernard J. Gilmore from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a rousing rock performance by the All-Star Chicago Rock Band, featuring Guitarist Jim Peterik from the rock group Survivor and co-writer of the Rocky theme "Eye Of The Tiger". The closing of the evenings performances not only showcased the performers, but the entire backstage of people who worked to put on this spectacular event. Closing Performance Photo
After the performance, hundreds of Gala dinner guests were transferred to the Palmer House Hilton via motorcoach where a spectacular dinner awaited.
My arrival at the Gala Dinner
The place card is edible chocolate
Evelyn Wheeler and Dr. Linda C. O'Bannon
Alvin Ailey Dancer Vernard J. Gilmore and Linda C. O'Bannon
Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler
McGhee Williams Osse
Although none of us will be around for the 250th celebration in 125 years, I am certain it will be just as spectacular as the previous 125th, because the Auditorium Theatre throws one great party.
The documentary film Versailles '73:American Runway Revolution was screened October 9, 2014 during Boston Fashion Week at the Landmark Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have been a fan of this documentary film since first viewing it during the debut at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It was there that I met filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper. Ms. Draper wrote, produced and directed this extraordinary film that has won numerous awards and screened internationally over the past two years. The diverse Boston audience of academics, fashionistas, members of the business community enjoyed the film and were thoroughly engaged throughout the screening. A lively Q&A followed with Ms. draper answering a wide range of questions. Having attended quite a few screenings of this film over the past two years, I must say I was impressed by the audience response and the way in which they enjoyed the film. I received a number of texts and emails the next day from audience members detailing how impressed they were with the film. During the Q&A, Mr. Fabien Fieschi, Counsel General of France in Boston, stated that even though he is from France, he had never heard of the Versailles '73 event. Thanks to Deborah Draper after 40 years this event is now getting worldwide recognition.
Director Deborah Riley Draper and Fabien Fieschi, Consul général de France à Boston
Deborah Riley Draper, Versailles 73 Model Jennifer Brice, Audrey Evans and Felicia Faison
Arlett Cox, Donald Burroughs and Teresa Burroughs
Gregory Matthews and Wanda Bakon
Larry Faison, Evelyn Wheeler and Audrey Evans
Larry Faison and Evelyn Wheeler
Lacy Barnes, Deborah Draper, Evelyn Wheeler and Jennifer Brice
It has been almost two months since the end of the 11 days of the 67th Festival de Cannes (May 14-24, 2014) and it has taken me every bit of that time to digest all that I saw, heard and ate during the 10 days of the festival. It should be called the Feastival de Cannes since their is so much to ingest into ones body and soul. The 2014 Cannes Film Festival lived up to its history of being the biggest and most prestigious film festival in the world. I am still in awe even after making fourteen trips to the festival. Red Carpet screenings, jaw dropping red carpet dresses, the film market, networking, beautiful people, yachts, luxury cars..., and then there are the parties and clubs that pop up all over Cannes. Not everyone attend Cannes thinking that every moment will be spent at red carpet screenings, press junkets or just doing business. At the top of your agenda is obtaining the list of parties and connecting with folks who can get you access.
Nicole Kidman in Grace of Monaco
The opening film this year was Grace de Monaco (Grace of Monaco) directed by Olivier Dahan and starring Nicole Kidman. It is highly controversial since the Palace in Monaco made it public that they were not pleased with this version of their Princesses life. Alas this is the Cannes Film Festival and controversy only fuels international attention. I attended the red carpet screening of the film and was stunned at the audience response to the movie at the end of the screening. Complete and utter silence. Here at Cannes, audiences tend to show their emotion whether its by boisterous applause and standing ovations, or people just walking out of a film. Unfortunately, a lot of people just fell asleep during this screening, including the people with whom I attended the screening. The critics were not very kind either. I did not see one single favorable review while in Cannes. I guess the Palace in Monaco is happy to say "I told you so". Although Grace of Monaco was not in competition at the Festival, it still stings when your film is panned so badly.
On the Red Carpet stairs at the screening of Grace de Monaco on May 14, 2014
Evelyn Wheeler and Lacy Barnes attend Grace de Monaco screening on May 14, 2014
Below is a brief review of Grace of Monaco by the Hollywood Reporter with a link to the full review:
"The 'Shrek' movies deconstruct fairy tale conventions
with much more depth and wit than this dreary parade
Ouch! But fortunately there were other triumphs at this years festival, with the Palme d'Or going to Winter Sleep. The film was the longest in competition running 3 hours and 16 minutes. Runner-up Grand Prize to The Wonders, Jury Prize to two films, Mommy and Goodbye to Language. The Camera d'Or went to Party Girl, a film about an older woman who makes the transition from a cabaret girl to marriage to a former client. I tried to get into this screening and so it seems did everyone else in Cannes. We made it to the entrance and was told the Salle Debussey was full.
Full list of winners with links to the Hollywood Reporter Reviews:
Palme d’Or: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Winter Sleep
Grand Prix: Alice Rohrwacher, The Wonders Jury Prize: Xavier Dolan,Mommy, and Jean-Luc Godard, Goodbye to Language Best Director: Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
Best Screenplay: Andrey Zvyagintsev and Oleg Negin, Leviathan
Best Actress: Julianne Moore,Maps to the Stars
Best Actor: Timothy Spall, Mr. Turner
Camera d'Or: Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger and Samuel Theis, Party Girl
Now for the fun side, parties and hot spots.
VIP Room at the JW Marriott located on the Croisette, boast an attendance on average of 1200 people per night during the festival. It's every bit what the name implies as many high profile people can be spotted getting there Cannes on.
Le Baoli located at Port Canto on the beach combo club, lounge and restaurant is one of the most popular spots in Cannes.
Club Costes by Albane is a pop-up club located on the Terrace of the JW Marriott is established as a membership club for VIP's set up to host the creme de la cream of the movie industry during the Festival. The membership includes not only entry into the club but 24 hour access to chauffeured BMW's and open bar by Belvedere. Not easy to get into but I partied here with friends from England and France and it is a showstopper. VIP and free complimentary everything.
Photo courtesy Gala Magazine
Le Gotha located at Palm Beach at the far end of Le Croisette, boasts top of the line entertainment every night during the festival and top international DJs are brought in for partying way into the wee hours of the morning.
Photo courtesy Gala Magazine
Of the top parties in Cannes, Chopard, Vanity Fair, Amfar, there are also many private parties held aboard the many yachts in the harbor and marina, and the surrounding Villas in the hills of Cannes. I attended the Cinerockom Cannes 2014 Award Party at Villa Jolie that featured a fashion show poolside by Raxann Chin (Femheka) and a ballet performance by Juneta Ozolina. An absolutely amazing evening at an amazing location, thanks to my friend Alain Azoulay of Azoulay Media.
Bruce B. Gordon, Dr. Gail Gordon, Gabriel Schmidt, Cinerockom International Film Festival founder and filmmaker
Evelyn Wheeler and Alain Azoulay (Azoulay Media) at Cinerockom Award Party
After the performance, hundreds of Gala dinner guests were transferred to the Palmer House Hilton via motorcoach where a spectacular dinner awaited.
