If anyone knows me, they know I LOVE getting dressed up for an event, even more so for a worthy cause! I am truly looking forward to Ndigo Foundation’s Annual Gala! Last year’s event featured Dianne Reeves and Gregory Porter — what a show! It was held at the Symphony Hall on Michigan Avenue and was attended by many of Chicago’s who’s who! Delicious bites and bubbly were served.
See below for a few of my picture’s from last year’s gala.
Enough about last year, let’s get in FORMATION for the 2016 Ndigo gala!
SUNDAY, JUNE 12TH @ Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago Campus 915 East 60th St. (60th & Drexel)
FREE PARKING | GALA TICKETS $250 | ATTIRE: FABULOUS and CHIC !
6PM – BUFFET & COCKTAILS 7PM – AWARDS CEREMONY 8PM – ENTERTAINMENT 11PM – AFTER PARTY
HONOREES for 2016 are:
N’Communication: Brandon Smtih, Freelance Journalist N’Religion: Pastor John Hannah, New Life Covenant Church SE N’Education: Karen Lewis, Chicago Teachers Union N’Business: Alex Pissios, Cinespace READ MORE ABOUT THE 2016 HONOREES HERE
ENTERTAINMENT for 2016:
Kurt Elling and Introducing Zemrah
Kurt Elling is called the “standout male jazz vocalist of our time” by the New York Times, Elling has been named “Male Singer of the Year” eight times by the Jazz Journalists Association and won every Down Beat Critics Poll for the last 14 years. His soaring vocal flights, edgy lyrics, and unique timing have garnered Elling a dozen Grammy nominations since his debut album Close Your Eyes in 1995. For that effort, he was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. His 2009 work, Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman, recorded live at Lincoln Center, won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The year he won the Grammy, 2009, Elling gave a command performance at President Barack Obama’s first state dinner and was accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.
This year in this South Side room made for jazz, we will introduce Zemrah, a female jazz vocalist who sings the jazz genre no matter what song she is actually singing. She takes an R&B classic and turns it into a jazzy rendition.
$250 TICKET INCLUDES:
GRANDE BUFFET and LIBATIONS – 5:00pm
The evening starts with a GRANDE BUFFET in the halls of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It is the place to be with the Who’s Who before the evening’s entertainment begins. The beautiful people meet and greet for the purpose of education. Champagne will flow. This is truly a fine dining experience and guaranteed to satisfy the palates of the most discerning.
GALA HONORS – 7:00pm
The N’DIGO GALA honors achievers who have made significant contributions to the community. Video presentations are shared with the audience. Passion a Jazzy Evening will be hosted by Chicago media personality.
A video presentation will highlight the 2016 N’DIGO Foundation Honorees.
ENTERTAINMENT: Kurt Elling and Zemrah – 8:00pm
AFTER PARTY – 11:00pm
The After Party is a club like atmosphere party where the guests have a dancing good time with desserts and endless champagne flowing. Get ready to wowed by the marvelous cocktail chic fashion show attire adorned by the guests. People dance into the wee small hours. Over 21 Only.
VENUE PARKING
The parking lot for the venue is located at the corner of Drexel Avenue and 60th Street and is FREE on weekends. Ample street parking will also be available.
The dollars raised from the N’DIGO GALA have served to pay tuition to 297 students in Chicago.
The students are have attended schools throughout the United States, like Yale, Morehouse, Spellman, Roosevelt University, Chicago State, University of Michigan, Northwestern, Alcorn and many many more. It is so rewarding to meet the graduates who are now pursuing their careers as doctors, lawyers, entertainers, journalists and bankers. Paying it forward is marvelous and we ask that you help us more than ever to send deserving students to college. Education transforms. Education is the economics of your life.
To purchase your tickets for this fabulous event please click here ndigo.bpt.me