THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE ON-LINE AUCTION.  IT IS NOW CLOSED.  IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WON AN ITEM, PLEASE CONTACT TOM DRISCOLL AT 312 337-1070  EXT. 113

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ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE CHICAGO WOMAN’S BOARD’S BIENNIAL GALA

LE BAL MAGIQUE DU MAROC A SUCCESS

MAY 23, 2012 – CHICAGO – On Saturday, May 12, 2012, more than 500 of Chicago's most prominent and civically-involved individuals attended the Alliance Française de Chicago Woman’s Board’s Biennial Gala, Le Bal Magique du Maroc.  Led by Woman’s Board President Michèle Archambault, the Moroccan-themed Gala was hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Mitzi Freidheim, and Gala Co-Chairs Suzette Bulley and Margaret Unetich.

Guests of Honor included His Excellency Mohamed Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States, His Excellency François Delattre, Ambassador of France to the United States, and Mr. Graham Paul, Consul General of France in Chicago.

The Gala was a huge success, raising more than $700,000. The generous donations will assist the educational and cultural programs at the Alliance Française de Chicago.

Kim Merlin of KKM Designs transformed the Four Seasons Hotel Grand Ballroom into a magical Moroccan garden inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s and Pierre Bergé’s Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh.  The table décor featured Moroccan tea glasses filled with hydrangeas and colorful roses. Pink henna patterns were illuminated on the side walls, giving the ballroom an exotic glow.

World-renowned French Chevalier des Arts and Lettres Perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian from Paris attended the event and developed a personalized scent for the auction souks and ballroom fountain. The auction souks were created by draping colorful fabric across tent-like fixtures and the floors were covered in beautiful Moroccan rugs. Moroccan performers – a henna artist, belly dancer and juggler– entertained guests as they sipped specialty orange-blossom cocktails and champagne.

Leslie Hindman of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducted a live auction with a weekend stay at the Château de Chambord, a private stay at the Moroccan palace Palais Lamrani, a private dinner at the Moroccan Ambassador’s Washington, D.C. home, exquisite jewelry - 18 carat white gold and diamond chandelier earrings and 18 carat white gold and diamond bracelet from Sidney Garber and week-long stays on the French Riviera and in St. Barth’s.

Four Seasons Executive Chef Kevin Hickey served a Moroccan feast, featuring baby spinach salad with dates, orange segments, almonds and mint vinaigrette, roasted chicken breast stuffed with merguez with Mquatli sauce, stuffed tomatoes, Moroccan couscous and fig almond macaroon with orange blossom gelée.

Legendary Chicago Philanthropists Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra served as Masters of Ceremony for the evening. Jack McCord, Executive Director of the Alliance Française de Chicago, highlighted students from the Awards Towards Excellence, an outreach and after-school immersion program sponsored by the Alliance Française de Chicago’s Educational Outreach Program.   Guests danced the night away to the music of Stu Hirsch Orchestra.

For qusetions about the 2012 Gala, please contact our 2012 Gala Coordinator Mr. Tom Driscoll at 312.337.1070 ext. 113 or tdriscoll@af-chicago.org