There was a particular air of beauty that filled the Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio, July 24 when the Alma Dance Company held its ‘Summer Soul’ benefit. It was an event filled with charming, elegant women and handsome men who, along with the stylish Alma artistic directors Guillermo Leyva and Suzanne Lek, added to the ambience of the beautiful rooms displaying artwork donated by the Moka Gallery.
MJ Catering and Events served fabulous delights donated by Zocalo and La Scarola restaurants with wine donated by Osborne Solas and tequila donated by Tres Generaciones. Guests perused the numerous silent-auction items, which included a sunset sailing cruise on Lake Michigan by Seabreeze Charters and a jersey signed by the Chicago Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano.
After a short while, everyone was ushered into the beautiful red-and-black theatre with highly varnished gray oak floors, where we sat in plush seats. The mistress of ceremonies—the lovely and vivacious Telemundo News anchor Leda Santodomingo—introduced a video of excerpts from Alma’s elaborate, gorgeous production, ‘Frankenstein Ballet,’ with original music by Cuban composer Yovannis Roque.
Alma’s next production will feature Grande Pas De Deux and short classical pieces at the North Shore Center For The Arts, Skokie, Oct. 17 and 18; for information phone 847-784-8842. For more information about Alma Dance Company, see www.almadance.org.
Photos by Steve Starr