Two of Chicago’s Biggest Summer Galas Were Just Days Apart—But Worlds Apart in Design

Inside the theater, “We wanted to combine what you would expect at a classic cabaret environment—red, gold, fringe, and tassels—with a modern twist,” Williquette says. “We added seductive gold chain detailing throughout the ceiling and the environment, juxtaposing the classic and the modern. It was important to create an environment that allowed guests to enjoy a cabaret show, but also allowed them to mix and mingle like [people did at] the speakeasies of the Roaring ’20s as well.”Photo: Jeremy Lawson Photography

CHICAGO—For the first two weeks of June, event designer Jason Williquette lived between two worlds. On one side of town at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago, Williquette and the HMR Designs team were busily building out a cabaret theater. Therein, a stage was set for a one-night-only—and not-for-the-bashful—burlesque performance, which was produced by Frost Chicago’s creative director, Jeffrey Foster. 

Meanwhile, farther west at City Hall Events, the HMR crew was knee-deep in bucolic flowers. All their efforts were focused on creating an environment that was fit for frolicking fairies at the Joffrey Ballet’s Midsummer Celebration. Aesthetically, the two environments were worlds apart—but they were taking place just days apart. The MCA’s Cabaret ArtEdge took place on June 8, while the Joffrey’s event was held on June 14. The guest lists were intertwined too, as many of Chicago’s top philanthropists and arts patrons had RSVP’d yes to both fundraisers. 

“Funnily enough, when we started initial decor talks this year with the various chairs of the events, they were sounding eerily similar in concept,” Williquette says. “But then [the themes] naturally diverged—thankfully!” He adds: “The fact that the galas are so close in proximity and draw from similar attendees made us keenly aware of any potential design crossovers or repeats, so all production pieces end up being very separate. But at the same time, the logistics of trucking, staffing, and producing all ended up being very similar. So in a way, one event actually helps us plan and prepare for the next.”

Though the events had distinct themes, they followed a similar flow by eschewing any elements that might feel stuffy or staid. “Both galas take the approach of stepping away from the typical seated program to focus on highlighting the art forms [the donors] so keenly support,” Williquette says. “We often hear the chairs of the committees ask, 'How can we push the envelope of the traditional gala?'"

In the end, both events broke the mold of a traditional formal gathering, but in remarkably different ways. Ahead, see inside the MCA’s ArtEdge—where caution tape, tassels, and red lights abounded—and the Joffrey’s Midsummer Celebration, where appetizer trays looked like fairies’ bedrooms and glittering reindeer greeted guests at the door...

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