CHICAGONOW
Le Bal Magique Du Maroc/The Magical Ball of Morocco
By Irene Michaels, Thursday at 2:54 pm
To support a 115 year old organization’s role in educating and expanding French culture and language with Chicagoans of all ages: this is the mission statement of the Alliance Francaise De Chicago Woman’s Board Biennial Gala and was put into action for all to see at the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel on May 12th. Guests of “Le Bal Magique Du Maroc” were treated like royalty to unique surroundings: the Grand Ballroom was re-created into an extravagant Moroccan garden inspired by by Yves St. Laurent’s and Pierre Berge’s Jardin (garden) in Marrakesh. An exquisite fountain and auction area were overflowing with the perfume ofthe world famous French Chevalier des Arts and Letters Perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian.
Guests of Honor included the French Ambassador to the U.S., the French Consul General in Chicago, and Honorary Chair Mitzi Friedman. During the cocktail hour, French themed items were offered for the silent auction while an extraordinary Moroccan feast was prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Hickey and an exciting live auction followed. Leslie Hindman of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducted this enthusiastic event, which included coveted items as: tickets to an invitation-only gala in Bordeaux, France, a weekend stay at a Moroccan palace, and precious jewelry from Sidney Garber. The vibrant sounds of the Stu Hirsch Orchestra provided terrific dance music that kept everyone entertained well into the night ….
“It is vitally important today to support globally-minded institutions like the Alliance so it can remain open and accessible,” said Margaret Unetich, 2012 Gala Co-chair. With such a spectacular celebration as this, we’ll all be saying “Parlez-vous Francais” for another 115 years !!
Contributor: JPW
His Excellency Mohamed Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States
Woman’s Board President Ms. Michèle Archambault & Executive Director Jack McCord
Auctioneer Leslie Hindman (center) with Masters of Ceremony Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra
Peninsula Hotel Ballroom
Jean-Pierre & Annie Ergas, Woman’s Board Member
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