(Photography by Eryn Chandler of LewChan Photography)
For maximum fun and maximum fundraising, Ballet Austin Guild’s fantastic fundraiser “Hot Cars and All That Jazz” was the perfect place to be. Foregoing the Guild’s traditional fundraising luncheon, this year they spiced it up with an evening cocktail event. The event featured Ballet Austin dancers who entered by limo immediately after their rehearsal of Swan Lake: Elise Pekarek, James Fuller, Ed Carr, Oliver Greene-Cramer, and Orlando Canova. Escorted by her father Clay Womack and a VIP ballet dancer with the Kremlin Ballet, Joy Womack made a surprise appearance as she was in town visiting her family. The event’s impact came to light when Ballet Austin’s Executive Director Cookie Ruiz spoke about the abundance of the Ballet Austin Guild’s volunteer and fundraising success as she thanked the guests for all of their tremendous effort and support.
Ballet Austin Guild’s spring fundraiser event took place in the unique venue of The Getaway Motor Club, located in the Govalle area of East Austin. The gorgeous venue was decorated with high cocktail tables illuminated with a soft glow from below, where guests were able to enjoy food and beverages. The timeless cars exhibited along the outside of the dance floor were another spectacular feature to set the mood for the evening. Also, Pamela Hart and Friends brought the heat with their signature selection of jazz, R&B, and soul, while guests danced on both floors of the club mingled with friends, and participated in lively games of pool.
This fundraiser was organized to benefit the Ballet Austin Academy’s youth scholarship program: with a mission to give anyone with the passion and desire to learn about ballet and to gain training that they may otherwise not be able to afford. Ballet Austin Guild has continuously supported Ballet Austin since 1975, raising over half a million dollars. The organizers of the evening were co-chairs Lorelei McDevitt, Terri Rumin, Vanessa McElwrath, and VP of Fundraising Events Jessica Johnson.
For more info on how to support Ballet Austin, visit http://www.balletaustin.org