A Gala Occasion

THE PARTY Chicago philanthropists and civic and business leaders gathered in the new (but at the time, not yet opened!) Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for a Gala Preview. The evening celebrated the completion of the building and honored Ann Lurie’s $100 million gift that funded the state-of-the-art hospital. THE PLAYERS Notable guests at the black-tie bash included Ann Lurie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bonnie Hunt, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, David and Susan Axelrod, Tom and Cece Ricketts, Chris and Anne Reyes, Lovie and MaryAnne Smith, and Larsa and Scottie Pippen. THE SCENE As some of the first to experience exclusive tours of the new building, the guests had a rare experience, dining on a seated dinner as the evening’s guest host, Sarah Jessica Parker, gave her remarks and a charming toast. And what a treat it was when Harry Connick Jr. took the mic for a performance. THE BOTTOM LINE The hospital’s Gala Preview raised an additional $5.2 million for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Photos by Getty Images/Daniel Boczarski, George Burns and Getty Images/Jeff Schear