Urban Gateways Hosts Art For All Gala

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 1, 2012 3:00PM

Urban Gateways hosted its annual Art for All Gala Friday night at Venue One. Mayor Rahm Emanuel served as the evening’s Honorary Chair and, in a letter included in the program, applauded the organization’s commitment to making the arts available to all of Chicago’s children. Urban Gateways was founded in 1961 with the goal of promoting “leadership among students by providing them with academic and social enrichment while integrating the areas of literary, media, performing and visual arts.” Last year alone, more than 85,000 students were able to experience the arts because of Urban Gateways.

Andy Shaw, award-winning journalist and President and CEO of the Better Government Association, emceed the evening. The night started with cocktails, a silent auction, and music by The Second Hand Three, a Chicago-based jazz trio featuring Urban Gateways teaching artist Michael Riendeau. During dinner, there was a live auction followed by performances by Elements Contemporary Ballet, The FootworKINGz (FWK), and Young Chicago Authors’ Louder Than A Bomb Poets.

Elements was bold and unique - we loved their contemporary take on ballet. FWK’s energetic performance was electrifying and they had the whole crowd clapping along with them. All three of the Young Chicago Authors’ Louder Than A Bomb Poets had a unique style of slam poetry that really captivated the audience.

By Julia Weeman