Just like its productions and past galas, State Street Ballet’s gala this year was an exquisite affair from start to finish. Held at the Four Seasons Biltmore on September 23, the event raised about $80,000 for the ballet’s performances and its education and outreach programs.
The evening began with cocktails in the intimate and lush Palmera Garden across the walkway from the Loggia Ballroom. While Chris Fossek performed his own compositions on guitar, the sold-out crowd of 180 guests mingled and celebrated the start of the company’s 24th season. Before entering the Loggia Ballroom, guests were greeted by dancers in white feather costumes from An American Tango. The ballroom was elegantly appointed with gold-fabric-covered chairs surrounding tables adorned with black-and-white linens and lamps with shades etched with dancer silhouettes.
A center stage allowed for an intimate experience for all of the guests, with no one seated more than a table away from the stage. Between three scrumptious dinner courses, guests were treated to superb dance vignettes: Buona Sera by Cecily MacDougall and James Folsom, Electra by Amara Galloway, and Tarantella by various company dancers.