“All you need is faith,trust and a little pixie dust. – Peter Pan
5000 square foot tent + 3000 desserts + 950 guests + 500 feathers + 300 candles + 200 yards of blue satin and tulle + 1000 playbills + 96 feet of ice + 30 dedicated volunteers + 29 corporate sponsors + 25 amazing dancers + 14 musicians +13 restaurants +10 months of planning + 8 weeks of rehearsals + 6 inspiring community leaders + 4 choreographers + 3 distinguished judges + 1 incredible staff +1 extraordinary event planner =
$790,000 for Charlotte Ballet and 6 deserving Charlotte Charities
For the third consecutive year, Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing with the Stars Gala brought the Charlotte community together in a perfect giving circle. Six fearless community leaders took the challenge to dance for their favorite charity and bring awareness to our beloved Charlotte Ballet. Records were shattered in terms of attendance and funds raised. “An Evening in Neverland” was the theme in anticipation of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux’s gravity-defying Peter Pan which opens tonight. Let your imagination take flight on a special journey to Neverland by clicking here to purchase tickets!
“Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning…”
The story began as guests arrived, being greeted by a magical pixie in a theatrical gown created by Charlotte Ballet’s brilliant costume design team. She directed guests through a giant window where a whimsical world of fantasy and adventure awaited them…
“So come with me, where dreams are born and time is never planned. Just think of happy things and your heart will fly on wings, forever in Never Never Land!”
An ethereal atmosphere of blue, silver and white with dramatic video projections created a virtual Milky Way.
The dancers took the stage and amazed guests with their moves, stage presence and fundrasing efforts. See below for images (via Jeff Cravotta) and video snippets of the performances.
LLOYD M. YATES & MELISSA ANDUIZA- $55,903
Executive Vice President, Market Solutions & President,Carolinas Region, Duke Energy
to benefit The Salvation Army & Charlotte Ballet
MIDGE BARRON & ADDUL MANZANO- $73,392
Community Leader and Creator of the Dancing with the Stars Gala
to benefit the Novant Health Foundation & Charlotte Ballet
WALTER DOLHARE & ALESSANDRA BALL- $107,765
Head of Markets Division, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
to benefit RunningWorks & Charlotte Ballet
CATHY BESSANT & JOSH HALL -$255,536
Global Technology & Operating Executive, Bank of America
to benefit Novant Health, Buddy Kemp Cancer Support Center & Charlotte Ballet
DR. DEREK RAGHAVAN & SARAH HAYES HARKINS – $152,329
President, Levine Cancer Institute
to benefit Levine Cancer Institute Disparities in CancerCare & Charlotte Ballet
DIANNE BAILEY & JORDAN LEEPER – $143,071
Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw Hinson
to benefit Discovery Place Welcome & Charlotte Ballet
And the winners are….Judge’s Award Winner Dianne Bailey and People’s Award Winner Cathy Bessant!
The extraordinary event planner Todd Murphy…
“Never say goodbye, because saying goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.”
TInkerbell suspended high above the tent bids guests goodnight after spending a whimsical night in Neverland…
Jean Pierre Bonnefoux’s Peter Pan runs tonight through March 22nd. Click here to see the performance schedule.
Special thanks to the Gala Committee who brought the evening to life!
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