People often like to dress up for a nice evening out and Diamond Ball offers Indiana Ballet Theatre patrons the chance to do that while supporting a charitable cause.
The theme for the annual gala on Sept. 7 at Halls of St. George in Schererville was inspired by Crown Point resident Willow Johnson, an Indiana Ballet Theatre teacher and dancer.
“All of the dancers and their families and the guests that come love to dress up with their diamonds, their pretty dresses, etc., so she thought it would be fitting to have a name suited to that,” said Gloria Tuohy, founder and co-artistic director of Indiana Ballet Theatre.
Diamond Ball begins with a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m. with an open bar and entertainment including a string quartet from Merrillville High School.
After dinner the Indiana Ballet Theatre Company gives a performance choreographed by Crown Point resident Amanda Tuohy, co-artistic director of Indiana Ballet Theatre.
“It’s an upbeat show,” said Gloria Tuohy, of Crown Point, about the diamond-themed performance.
The live auction, which includes items such as trips and bicycles with gear, will be led by Jonathan Kraft, of Valparaiso-based Kraft Auction Service.
“Jonathan did such a fabulous job the year before last that we decided to have him back,” Gloria Tuohy said.
There is also a silent auction at Diamond Ball, which raises funds for the Classical Arts Centre project to renovate a 20,000-square-foot former sanatorium nurses home in Crown Point into a community arts center.
“It’ll be a cultural center. We’ll have visual and performing arts there and also an historic room for the nurses, a black box theater and possibly a small banquet room,” Gloria Tuohy said.
“The exterior’s done and the city of Crown Point just gave us the construction fees as an in-kind donation so now we’re just getting the last of the funding and then we’ll start on the interior. It’s been a long journey. Hopefully everybody comes along and supports us and has a good time.”
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Diamond Ball also features music by Chicago pop and dance band Green Fourteen to wrap up the evening.
What was founded nearly four decades ago as Imperial Ballet with eight students at Gloria Tuohy’s home has grown to Indiana Ballet Theatre, which has studios in DeMotte, Merrillville and Valparaiso and nine full-length ballets.
“We have grown it from nothing,” Gloria Tuohy said.
“We teach everything from Irish to jazz to tap to modern, contemporary and all of the above. We also have just begun a special needs program with Chasing Dreams in Merrillville. We had a grant from Crown Point Community Foundation to start the program.”
Indiana Ballet Theatre has a mission “dedicated to transforming lives and enriching the community the world of dance.”
The company has performed throughout Europe and Mexico while Indiana Ballet Theatre students have performed in Broadway productions, film and television and with dance companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Joffrey Ballet.
Diamond Ball
When: 6-11 p.m. Sept. 7
Where: Halls of St. George, 905 E. Joliet St., Schererville
Tickets: $90 per person
Information: 219-755-4444; www.ibtnw.org