On the afternoon of May 3, Chicago House kicked off spring with its 40th annual Chicago House Spring Brunch and Fashion Show.
This year’s edition, titled Flower Power, featured a strong ‘60s counterculture vibe with a garden show, silent auction, raffle, beats provided by DJ Nevin Hersch and show-stopping dance performances from AJA Talents.
The event, which took place in the Winter Garden Ballroom at The Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., also featured a changing of the guard as Chicago House CEO Michael Herman stepped aside for incoming CEO Lindsay Gaskins, who has a long history with the organization.
Fashions were provided by Mark Roscoe, Cram Fashion, Cowboys and Astronauts and Raas. Co-chairs included Rick Aleong, Terry Howerton and Frank and Darian Compise. Chicago House exceeded the fundraising goal of $425,000 by the event’s end.
While guests dined, Hersch flooded the room with ‘60s pop and soul standards,featuring Dusty Springfield, Otis Redding, The Marvelettes, Petula Clark, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles and The Supremes.
After a lively performance of “The Age of Aquarius” from Hair, the show got started with Herman and Gaskins, wearing identical flower print suits, awarding Kiki Dorn and Judith Perloff the Spirit Award for their service to Chicago House and the larger Chicago community.
A video of Xay De Fisher and Jeffrey Pullianalso allowed the two to chart their journeys from being clients to employees and advocates for Chicago House.
Floral sponsors for the event included Kehoe Designs, Floriography Fellows, Taylor and Company Event Design, E. Melone Lifestyle Events, Anna Held Floral Studio and Goddess Flora.
Sponsors for the event included Wintrust Bank, Foley and Lardner LLP, Comcast, MediraRX, Synergy Construction, Christina Swanson Consulting, Lakeside Bank, Sagin, Lamb Insurance Services, WJW Architects, Broadway in Chicago, Sundog Media, J & L Catering, Applegate Thorne Thomsen Attorney at Law, Fifth Third Bank, Continuserve, Grosvenor and Sidetrack Video Bar.
