Heidi Zeiger
Co-chairs
Shedd Gala Co-chairs Lesly and David Koo, Alissa and Tom King
The Shedd Aquarium held its annual black-tie gala on Saturday, June 11th, displaying a wondrous and alluring atmosphere themed after its nocturnal sea creatures. The Dark Waters Gala raised $1.9 million to support the Shedd Aquarium's mission of connecting people to the living world by focusing on conservation, environmental stewardship, and education opportunities for kids. The event brought forth 700 of Chicago’s philanthropist in an evening that was a great success. The co-chairs of the gala, Alissa and Tom King and Lesley and David Koo, had a committee of about 60 volunteers that focused on creating an entertaining ‘wow’ factor event with strong educational tones and messages. The Board of Trustees, such as Shedd Board Chairman H. John Gilbertson Jr., participated fully, celebrating in refined style.
The evening was filled with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and an admirable view of the elusive octopus greeted guests for the start of the evening, which was followed by a performance from the Chicago Children’s Choir and an aerial lyra display from Aloft Circus. The crowd was then brought into an aquatic performance of beauty, a ballet of sorts, from the Shedd’s belugas, dolphins, penguins, and sea lions, only to be followed by a dinner surrounded by the dark waters of the nocturnal creatures living in the captivating galleries at the Shedd. The intoxicating evening ended with music and the swaying of dancing and small bites which included popcorn stations and candied bacon bowls. The evening, overall, resulting in a fantastic display of creative planning for a very important cause.
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Dan Rest
Caribbean Reef
Shedd Aquarium's Caribbean Reef rotunda decorated by Kehoe Designs
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Heidi Zeiger
Shedd Aquarium Gala
Shedd Aquarium Gala Co-chairs David and Lesly Koo, President and CEO Bridget Coughlin and husband Brian Wegner, and Gala Co-chairs Alissa and Tom King
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Eva Ho
Entertainment
Chicago Children's Choir perform alongside Alford Circus aerial lyra artist and sea lions, beluga wales, Pacific white sided dolphins and rescue animals
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Heidi Zeiger
Gala's Aquatic Show
Shedd's beluga whales greet guests to Gala's annual aquatic show
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Dan Rest
Paddle Raise
Guests participate in Shedd's annual paddle raise to support Shedd's conservation and rescue rehabilitation programs, hosted by Jason Lamoreaux