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Star Light, Star Bright
For Chicagoans with big hearts--and pocketbooks to match-- there’s no worthier call to party than the annual Children’s Ball, sponsored by the Medical Research Institute Council (MRIC) of the Children’s Memorial Hospital. Now in its 49 th year, the over-the-top decadent bash was held this year on December 8 th at downtown’s sprawling Hyatt Regency Hotel.
In honor of the ball’s galaxy theme-- chosen by event co-chairs Jenny Patinkin and Lisa Lewis—1,300 guests spent the night frolicking in an elegant and futuristic playground. “ Our theme was retro-futuristic, hearkening back to the 1950s and ‘60s, when the concept of space exploration exploded into the pop culture psyche,” says co-chair Jenny Patinkin.
The evening began with a cocktail hour replete with instrument-playing aliens, lit up bars and cocktail-wielding time machines. Amidst the crowd of fashionably-dressed donors, Factio spotted a woman swathed in a frothy black dress dotted with glowing lights. Patinkin sported a Ralph Lauren gown, of which, she says: “ I didn't choose it -- it chose me! One look and I knew it was the one!”
After the cocktail reception, guests adjourned to the hotel’s ballroom, which had been utterly transformed with the help of Ronsley Special Events. “Ronsley Special Events did an amazing job with the décor,” Patinkin says. Tables were topped with satellites, planets and stars; and candles flickered in crystal vases filled with green liquid.
A dinner of duck slaw and beef medallions was served, and after dessert (chocolate mousse served in whimsical, white-chocolate dishes shaped like Saturn), partygoers flocked to the canopied dance floor while Michael Lerich’s orchestra played. “ The dance floor filled to capacity about two seconds after our presentation ended and the energy in the room was incredible!,” Patinkin says. “The Michael Lerich Orchestra kept the dance floor full all night long and our guests had a great time!”
Throughout 2007, the MRIC raised $3.1 million for pediatric research.
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Jennifer Berg
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