River North Chicago Dance Company (RNCDC) presents the second annual Summer Fling, a special benefit performance and party for the gay and lesbian community, Thursday, Aug. 11. After a successful 2004 Summer Fling, RNCDC brings the sizzling, talked about event back by popular demand this summer. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5:30 p.m., prior to a one-of-a-kind RNCDC performance at 6:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, and will be followed by a sumptuous summertime tent party behind Ann Sather restaurant, 929 W. Belmont. The second annual Summer Fling is hosted by event Chairman Ald. Tom Tunney and Artistic Director Frank Chaves.
Summer Fling will begin at the Athenaeum Theatre with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a River North Chicago Dance Company performance created exclusively for Summer Fling. Attendees will experience a variety of new and classic works, including the 2005 premieres ‘Grace,’ to the music of Ani DiFranco by Co-Artistic Director Emeritus Sherry Zunker, and ‘Take a Seat,’ featuring the company’s men, by Artistic Director Frank Chaves. Other works include Chaves’ ‘Temporal Trance,’ to the music of Peter Gabriel, Vangelis, and Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors, and Zunker’s electric ‘Vent’ and ‘The Man That Got Away.’ Following the performance, guests will be transported by coach bus to the Ann Sather parking lot on West Belmont for a summertime tent party. The event will be catered by Hearty Boys of Lakeview, who can be seen on The Food Network’s ‘The Next Food Network Star,’ airing each Sunday in June. The benefit’s festivities will continue until 10 p.m.
RNCDC’s Summer Fling Chairman Ald. Tom Tunney and Artistic Director Frank Chaves are supported by a 25-member committee including RNCDC Board President Mark Reeves of Andersonville, Board Vice President Barry Stagman of the Gold Coast, Board VP of Marketing Scott Hughes of Lakeview, Board Member Philip Lumpkin of Ravenswood, Board Treasurer Julie Silverstein and Kim Colweck of Norwood Park, Michael Laconte of Lakeview, choreographer Harrison McEldowney of Chicago, Jordan Simonson of Andersonville, Dale Ginger of Lincoln Park, Charles Kralovec of Lincoln Park, Carol Fox of Lakeview, Martin Gapshis of the Gold Coast, Robert Kleinschmidt of the Gold Coast, Tom Ryan of Lincoln Park, John Pratt of Andersonville and Gary Metzner of Lincoln Park.
Tickets are $90 and will not be sold at the door. Reservations must be made by Thursday, Aug. 4. For more information call (312) 944=2888 or visit the Web site at www.rivernorthchicago.com.